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An Rx for Bad Meetings?

Meetings, of course, are an integral part of our collaborative work dynamic. It’s how we share information, gain valuable insights, and, well, collaborate. But there are a lot of meetings — and they aren’t all a positive experience. Just ask NAPA Net readers.

A third of the respondents to this week’s reader poll say they have one to three meetings per week (in a typical week). Another third says it’s four or five, and just under 9% report five to seven. The remaining 25 say more than 10(!). Three-quarters of respondents say they have one to three meetings every week. And while nearly 78% said that these meetings were “their” meetings, the rest indicated that they were “almost never” the instigator.

Nor are these client meetings. Half of this week’s respondents said that one to three of those meetings were internal, and a third said that four or five of them meetings were. The remainder split between about half of their meetings were internal. And the rest? More than 10.

Most of these meetings (58%) lasted an hour, with the rest citing 30 minutes.

Pet Peeves

Asked to identify their pet peeves about meetings, “meetings that could have been an email” topped the list, cited by 35%. Other pet peeves mentioned were:


  • meetings that don’t start on time (24%)

  • too many irrelevant people invited (18%)

  • meetings that end up with no conclusion due to getting off track (12%)

  • attendees doing something besides paying attention to the meeting (8%)

  • people who (always) show up late for meetings (3%)


One reader said, “Reviewing what everyone should already know, or could have read off an email or status report.” Another said, “How can I pick one? All of the above!”

“A lot of my meetings are call-in meetings for clients changing investment providers,” noted one reader, who went on to say: “…as the TPA I am not usually very involved with the transfer process. Oftentimes these meetings really don’t need me on the line, yet I am required to be there. And I have to pay attention (i.e., not be checking emails and/or doing something else) in case they do ask me a question.”

Meetings Medicines

There have been attempts (more than one choice was allowed) to remedy the situation(s):


  • convert weekly meetings into every-other-week meetings (55%)

  • enforce start/stop times (44%)

  • limit the number of meetings (43%)

  • limit attendance to small numbers (14%)

  • hold meetings while standing/without seats (12%)

  • ban use of cell phones/devices in meetings (10%)


A very popular write-in suggestion was to use — and follow — agendas, regardless of the length or size of the meeting.

Not that meetings are all bad. “We strive to meet with clients one or more times per year,” explained one reader. “Although not all of those meetings are productive or relevant to my function, the face to face interaction is helpful when I need to contact the client about other matters.”

One reader suggested, “Make sure the meeting is necessary, notify participants in advance with the agenda, stay on time and on topic/focus, dismiss early when you can, and make sure participants walk away with at least one good idea, task or solution... and repeat this process! You will gain the reputation for holding only 'worthwhile' meetings, and by design, the meetings become more productive.”

Thanks to everyone who participated in our weekly NAPA Net reader poll!

Got a suggestion for a future reader poll? Something you’d like to ask your fellow readers? Post it in the comments below, or email me at [email protected]

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