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How to stop meetings taking over your working day

A recent report suggested that the average British worker spends . But is that really a good use of any employee’s time?

We have too many meetings, according to Professor Sir Cary Cooper of Lancaster University. “They’re too long and they’re badly managed,” he said on Mornings with Stephen Jardine.

So how do we get ourselves out of this endless cycle of meetings which eat into the working day?

How to make the most of meetings

Professor Sir Cary Cooper reveals how we should alter our approach to meetings.

Sir Cary recommends applying some simple measures before the meeting begins:

  • Determine the purpose of the meeting. Ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve.
  • Schedule it carefully. Never start a meeting at 9 am; do it around 1130 am so it naturally finishes at lunchtime.
  • Plan and organise the meeting, allocating a set amount of time for each item on the agenda.

Dr Rachel Findlay of Edinburgh Napier University also joined the discussion, offering some – perhaps radical – advice.

"Refuse any meetings that aren’t necessary to you achieving what you are required to achieve," she said.

"It saves me enormous amounts of time and it makes me more effective at what I’m being paid to do."

Meeting request accepted?

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