Are you like me? Because occasionally I find myself loathing “meetings”.
Working in business accounting, I know as well as anyone that they are absolutely necessary at times — and a business that NEVER has them probably won’t get on the same page with the frequency or alacrity that succeeding in 2014 (and beyond) now requires. It’s a fast-moving marketplace, folks.
But exactly because it’s so fast-moving out there, we simply must not allow the corporate culture of meetings and memos to rule over the advantage we carry as a smaller, more nimble Newtown Square, PA organization or business.
And even in the corporate culture, there is growing literature and advice about cutting down the wasteful environment of relentless meeting.
So here are a few guidelines I’ve put into place … let’s free ourselves from those additional, mindless obligations.
Stephen Venuti’s Advice: Meet Less, Be More Productive
“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
In the spirit of what I’m writing about, this will be a quickie…
Three essential guidelines for taking control of meetings — and your time.
1) Determine whether you really are necessary to the meeting. Look at the agenda, or find out what the meeting is intended to accomplish. Ask yourself, “Do I actually get anything out of the meeting?” and “Do I actually contribute anything to the meeting?” If your answers are “no,” let meeting organizers know and find a way to avoid attending. Just do it.
2) Try to attend only part of the meeting. If the first part of a meeting is relevant to you, but the other half isn’t, find a way to skip the second half. Just do it, and let the chips fall.
3) Arrive on time–leave on time. Let meeting organizers know that you’ll be happy to attend the meeting but will only stay until the time stated. Then get there on time–and leave on schedule.
These may seem harsh, but your time is valuable. Respect yourself enough to treat it that way.
I’m grateful for our partnership, and dedicated to your success.
Feel very free forward this article to a Newtown Square, PA business associate or client you know who could benefit from our assistance — or simply send them our way? While these particular articles usually relate to business strategy, as you know, we specialize in tax preparation and planning for Newtown Square, PA families and business owners. And we always make room for referrals from trusted sources like you.
Warmly (and until next week),
Stephen Venuti
610-353-0686
