Monday meetings are as certain as the sun in the sky. Here’s a challenge for the upcoming week. Try to end them early. Run them so they don’t just fill allotted time. Run them so they value everyone’s time.
Most meetings booked through Microsoft Outlook are for 1 hour. If you carve 10 minutes off each, imagine the time savings and increased productivity for your company, departement or agency.
I was on a recent conference call with 4 colleagues that lasted 17 minutes. We are working a 3-city roadshow with several players and a fluid agenda. We saved 43 minutes on the last call. Five people with an additional 43 minutes equals 3 and a half hours.
If you need more than an hour for a weekly meeting or conference call, find a way to tighten. If you can accomplish what’s needed in 30 minutes or less, make the meeting a half hour. (What I’m doing for next roadshow project status call.)
If you’re with an agency who bills hourly, show your clients how you value their time and money by plowing savings into the hands-on work. If you’re in a corporation, advocate gently and set an example.
You’ll find yourself getting more done with better results. Your group will have more time to think, to plan, to do great work.
Nearly anyone can put out fires, but not everyone can build something fantastic that yields equally fantastic results. Here’s a link to some suggestions on how to keep meetings moving.
