Partner Article

52 minutes per day 'wasted' in meetings

The average office worker wastes 52 minutes a day in ‘pointless’ meetings where they don’t contribute, aren’t listened to or are just making up the numbers.

That’s according to research by coaching firm You Brand, who quizzed their clients, which include FTSE 50 companies, about the etiquette and mechanics of meetings.

You Brand founder Julia Goodman said: “Many people feel isolated and cut out of meetings, with the biggest complaint being shouted down by louder colleagues.

“Interestingly, more dominant characters say meetings fail because colleagues don’t contribute enough.

“What people don’t realise is that speaking in the first five minutes of a meeting will make sure they are listened to later.

“While the chair of a meeting needs control, everyone is responsible for ensuring discussions run smoothly,” says Goodman. “People must communicate clearly, and say what they mean to make meetings more effective.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .