Business Management

Just when you thought the world made sense, here's bad news:
Effective meetings have major problems.
Here they are:
Problem #1: It takes time.
Preparing a clear goal requires deliberate thought. And writing out a goal takes time. Then planning an agenda takes more time. And finally, contacting key participants to talk about their expectations, needs, and suggestions takes even more time. Many of these conversations will be especially difficult because you will have to listen to someone else's ideas. All totaled, this work can take an hour or more. Many people prefer to skip these painful activities and just hold a meeting that goes on for hours and hours and hours.
Benefit: It’s much easier to hold meetings that accomplish nothing. In addition, the time spent in a meeting keeps you from having to sit at your desk where you would be expected to work on difficult tasks requiring thought.
Rebuttal: The time spent preparing for a meeting is a wise investment. The result is a shorter meeting that produces results that others will support.
Problem #2: You obtain results.
Most results obtained in a meeting require that someone do something. And this could be you. Action items pose a serious threat in that they involve responsibility, require skill, and include accountability. It's much easier to hold meetings that produce nothing because then nobody has to do anything. And everyone knows that it's much easier to call another meeting where everyone complains about the problems caused by the people who aren't in the meeting.
Benefit: People who lack effective work skills can hide in meetings. They also accumulate reasons why nothing can be accomplished, such as lack of cooperation and any hearsay obtained during the meeting.
Rebuttal: Profitable businesses are built upon a foundation of achievement. And effective leaders are promoted because they contributed to this achievement.
Problem #3: Other people talk.
When others are allowed to talk, they can express views that are contrary to what you want to hear. They propose impossible solutions. And (worst of all) they offer good ideas before you can state them. It's preferable to dominate the meeting with rambling stories, endless monologues, and clever self promotions. Often these make others laugh, which always feels gratifying. And it's a fascinating challenge to outwit someone else who is attempting to do the same thing. This makes a bad meeting an enjoyable and entertaining pastime.
Benefit: Bad meetings can be more entertaining that a sitcom on TV because you are part of the cast.
Rebuttal: Wise leaders use meetings to create outstanding results by harnessing the group's wisdom. In fact, odd ideas prove useful because they stimulate others to think of better ideas.