Badly prepared, over-running business meetings are having a negative effect on business productivity, according to a study by cloud software company Perivan Technology.
The research found at least 65 hours per executive are wasted in unproductive meetings each year, with a total of 46% of meetings spent unproductively.
In addition, 51% of UK managers said they have been to meetings where documents were found to be missing or incorrect.
On average, respondents said they participate in three meetings each week, although a quarter stated it was more than five per week.
When asked, 88% of people agreed meetings would be more productive if technology was used to streamline processes.
Nick Roi, MD of Perivan Technology said: “There’s little doubt that collaboration, workflow and management technologies can improve company processes, but it’s important that companies get the basics right as well. The meeting chair should actively encourage productivity and preparation, and in this regard, lead from the front.
“The purpose of meetings should be assessed and measured to ensure desired outcomes are achieved; a level of transparency that reveals the true value of meetings should be given to improve business meeting culture.”
