The State of Meetings Report (from Calendly)
Team, Calendly just released their 2024 research on the State of Meetings. Check it out here. Don't forget, my Workshop "Meeting Mastery" is this Friday. Sign up here My key takeaways: - Meetings Can Be Valuable if Done Right: Most respondents believe meetings can enhance productivity and work progress, but only if they are well-structured with clear objectives, agendas, and follow-ups. This highlights the importance of focusing on quality, not just quantity, of meetings. - Meeting Fatigue Is Real: There is a divide between those who feel meetings benefit their productivity and those who believe they are a drain. This is an opportunity to focus on how to make meetings more engaging and productive, especially by minimizing unnecessary gatherings. - Role and Generational Differences Matter: Professionals across roles (e.g., sales, HR) and generations (e.g., Gen Z vs. Boomers) experience meetings differently. Gen Z workers are more likely to embrace AI and multitask, while Boomers prioritize staying on agenda and handwriting notes. Adapting meetings to cater to different team needs and preferences is crucial. - Actionable Recommendations for Better Meetings: Good meetings should have clear objectives, involve key stakeholders, and actively engage participants. Pre-reading materials, follow-up actions, and clear roles for attendees are essential to ensure meetings are effective. - Multitasking Signals Ineffective Meetings: If attendees are multitasking, it’s a sign the meeting may not be engaging. Assigning active roles and conducting regular feedback can improve focus and meeting outcomes. - Time Management and AI: The time spent on scheduling and managing meetings is a growing pain point, especially among younger workers. AI can help streamline scheduling and improve meeting productivity. Encouraging your team to use AI tools can be a valuable step forward.