Jason Fried isn’t shy about his disdain for meetings. In fact, one of his chapters in “Rework” is dedicated to condemning meetings but he then goes on to share tips for making them better:

The worst interruptions of all are meetings. Here’s why:
They’re usually about words and abstract concepts, not real things.
They usually convey an abysmally small amount of information per minute.
They drift off-subject easier than a Chicago cab in a snowstorm.
They require thorough preparation that most people don’t have time for.
They frequently have agendas so vague that nobody is really sure of the goal.
They often include at least one moron who inevitably gets his turn to waste everyone’s time with nonsense.
Meetings procreate. One meeting leads to another meeting leads to another …

If you decide you absolutely must get together, try to make your meeting a productive one by sticking to these simple rules:
Set a timer. When it rings, meeting’s over. Period.
Invite as few people as possible.
Always have a clear agenda.
Begin with a specific problem.
Meet at the site of the problem instead of a conference room. Point to real things and suggest real changes.
End with a solution and make someone responsible for implementing it.

Brilliant Book Bit:  Become very selective and very careful when making meetings better. Cancel or revise the ones that don’t have clear reasons for being. Agendas, time limits, and assignments are critical for making meetings worth the time and expense they require. Wasted resources used in unnecessary meetings may just be the extra profit margin you need to fuel better ideas, new products, and new customers.

Have a great week.

Kindest regards,