How can I reduce the number of meetings for my group at work?

Question

At work, there are meetings all the time. I am looking for your good ideas on how I can reduce the number of meetings (and their length). The "stand-up" is a good idea. But I know there must be others that have been effective.

Answer 1

1) Require an agenda for each meeting in advance.

2) Establish and communicate clear objectives for each meeting. In this way, any meeting must have a justification and an agenda so that superfluous ones do not get commissioned as they will not pass the screening process.

3) Assign followup items/tasks/responsibilities at the end, and require that a subsequent related meeting cannot begin until all action items from the previous meeting are resolved.

4) Start the meeting on time no matter what - companies tend to never start on time which takes it toll in the long run.

5) If someone is presenting, let them present but make sure they finish - too many times people schedule follow-on meetings because they have too much extraneous information to present (usually presentations from marketing!)

6) Set a limit of an acceptable number of meetings per day - anything more than your threshold will need to take place another day

Answer 2

Meetings make money. But tabling issues until the next meeting is a waste of time. Some people are good at pointing out problems but not visualizing the end result of a solution that is offered.

If you are having meetings all the time it seems that they are cutting into the time you could be moving your products or services out the door and into the hands of your customers.

OPTIONS
1) Have a weekly mandatory meeting.
2) Have an accountability call
3) Have a conference call during work hours
4) Have a conference call during off hours and PAY them
Speak words of positivity and success. Don't condemn anyone or use it as time to tell your private business and get into other peoples private lives. Get to the point. Have a clear goal and at the end of the meeting say 1-2-3 GO! Everyone goes out the door with a clear understanding of what they should do to build the company.

Each meeting should last only 30 minutes or less.

I hope this helps and have a great Monday morning meeting.

Answer 3

How about an IM meeting? It can work in some office settings.

Are there any meetings that are redundant? Roll them into one meeting. Instead of two 20 minute meetings, have one 30 minute meeting. Actually wastes less time (going to and from meeting).

If you have a start of shift/day meeting to let people know what to expect for the day, have a short memo posted in the common area (and emailed to everyone) 15 minutes prior to the meeting, That way you can ask for the input and quickly make the changes it should only take minutes instead of 15 or 20.

Answer 4

Make your meetings a little longer each time. Also, e-mail people.

Answer 5

confront them I todl the boss he had to many was asting time and he had a sad llook. Almost thought he was going to cry. but listened and all were more productive.