The First-Time Manager, 6th Edition

35Managing, Participating in, and Leading Meetings

IN CHAPTER 30, we mentioned companies that have closed periods during which office personnel don’t phone one another and don’t attend meetings. That gives them a certain amount of uninterruptible time each day. Indeed, the productivity of the entire country would be greatly increased if all office meetings of more than two people, in business and government, were banned for one year. Meetings are very expensive. You are taking people away from their work. Always consider what alternatives you have to holding a meeting. If the meeting is just for informational purposes, you can send out an e-mail with attachments. If you want discussion and decision making to occur, a meeting may be necessary. ...