This past weekend, CBS Sunday Morning featured MEETINGS on their Money Issue – because it is such a significant cost issue.
An estimated $37 billion is lost per year to unproductive meetings.
Look at that number! Who takes accountability for that amount of loss? The real head scratcher is that people have complained about wasted time in meetings for decades and there has been little improvement.
Meetings are the best way to collaborate efficiently and effectively, plan and problem-solve. It would be silly to try to conduct business through continuous one-on-one discussions. But for the meeting itself to be efficient, there must be preparation. We could list the characteristics of good meetings such as clear desired outcomes, an agenda, the right people present and prepared, etc. But few managers and executives are unaware of what it takes to have a good meeting.
It’s not a lack of knowledge, it’s a lack of execution. And that’s what is impossible to explain.
With the wasted hours, usually at a higher dollar rate than the average employee, and the energy-depleting effect on participants, what can be the reason why smart people who’ve been promoted to a leadership role persist in this non-productive practice? And another question: why do people continue to attend meetings they even know in advance will be a waste of time?
Efficiency in operations is regularly measured, reported and costed with a goal of continuous improvement. What can possibly be the reason this isn’t the standard for the office and management?
It’s time to do something about what most working people perceive to be a “gross waste of time.” We’ll train your team and transform your meetings.
Contact us today!
[email protected] or 1-877-774-4797