The Guidelines: " Topless meetings must be announced when the meeting is scheduled, not directly before or during so that people can plan to be topless. The meetings shouldn't be more than an hour long, unless there are scheduled breaks. If You can't be 'topless' you shouldn't be in the meeting. "
O.k. now that I have your attention...:)
I'm talking about "topless" (as in laptopless) meetings. This idea is getting so much coverage of late I thought I'd touch on the subject. Note that this banning of laptops can and should spread to other attention-sucking devices. I'm looking at you, Blackberry. You too, iPhone.
I'm as guilty as anyone of getting sucked into my Blackberry e-mail - but unless i'm expecting an 'emergency' type email I try not to bring it into meetings with me. The divided attention (and the lowered discussion) really lowers the energy and productivity of any meeting. Not to mention its distracting not only to the speaker - but to your fellow attendees.
And if you are one of those people who think all meetings are a waste of time, I say: nonsense. I agree some are - and they can be a Brain Drain...But meetings are not just about communication, though they are often treated as one-to-many information distribution sessions. They are valuable so long as everyone is there to contribute and pay attention. People dread meetings because they are often not focused and drag on for longer than necessary-which is what happens when people don't contribute or pay attention.
What about when people show up late?..........If someone is ten minutes late and delays the start of a meeting with six other people, they have wasted an hour of time (10 minutes x 6 people = 1 hour). Everyone can be late sometime time.......but some people are consistently late - almost all the time. So what do you do?
Meetings can enhance productivity when people use them to do the kind of work that is best done in collaboration with others. Good meetings are about getting somewhere: a decision, a new idea, etc. Working through ideas often means making those ideas tangible. There's a synergy that can take place well people have a common goal and can direct their energies to a positive outcome.
Or do you think meetings are archaic? Should information be shared through emails instead? What do you think? :-)
Savor your Blackberries for After the Meeting :-)
If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you're considering a career in Real Estate or would like more information please give Liz Moras a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.
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Yes, the title is an attention getter.
I agree we need to leave the distractions out of the meeting room. It's called being considerate.
I prefer to attend meetings, that way if I need something clarified I can get it on the spot.