Do you need help searching?

Give us a call 020 4579 2618Enquire now
Start typing your ideal location here!

5 ways to make meetings more productive

Blog Image

Take a moment to think about how many meetings you have every day. Then multiply that by a week, a month, a year.

Unless you work alone, meetings can add up to a sizeable chunk of the time you spend at work. Making your meetings as efficient as possible can therefore have a huge impact on overall productivity, both from an individual and business perspective.

These five tips for making meetings more productive may sound simple, but from our experience you’d be amazed at how many businesses fall at the first hurdle, even on the simplest ‘meeting must haves’.

1. Have an agenda

How many meetings have you been in where after five minutes it becomes all too apparent there’s no set reason for being there? It’s just a free-for-all of random things that people want to get off their chests.

Having an agenda is such a simple solution to this problem; a specific list of topics that will be covered in the meeting including how much time will be spent on each. While it sounds like a common sense element to have, you’d be amazed how many meetings don’t run to an agenda.

2. Stand up

Test this one out for a week and see how it affects overall efficiency of meetings, lessening the time you spend in them.

When there is a seat to sit in, it is obviously more comfortable for most people when compared to standing, therefore there is a tendency to drag meetings out as no one feels in a hurry to stand up again.

Stand-up meetings have been proven to cut meeting times down substantially, making people get to the point quicker and wasting less time going off on a tangent. Neal Taparia of Imagine Easy Solutions recently wrote an article on Forbes online stating that having stand-up meetings had cut his company’s meeting times by 25%.

3. Have a timekeeper

You have an agenda, with times allocated for each point or topic; equally important is having a timekeeper to ensure that the agenda is adhered to. Again, ensuring that a formal measure is in place so that time doesn’t run over is a great way to make your meetings more productive.

4. Start on time

Starting meetings five minutes late may not sound like much, but if that meeting has ten people in it then that’s 50 minutes combined time where other work could have been taking place. Multiply that by ten meetings a month and soon enough you’ll have wasted over eight hours in idle time spent awaiting the arrival of all meeting invitees.

5. Have a note taker

Another big timewaster is having a meeting where no one is allocated the task of note taker. Hopefully each individual in the meeting can be relied upon to take proper notes for themselves, but often this can hamper the discussion and problem solving process that you want to promote during meetings.

Having a single person responsible for note taking and distributing follow up tasks when the meeting ends ensures that everyone knows what the next steps are and which tasks they are responsible for.

Bonus tip

The simplest tip of them all – think about whether or not the meeting is even necessary in the first place!

What other pointers would you give to make meetings more productive? We’d love to hear your tips and advice for others to make their meetings more efficient, so please feel free to tweet @Flexioffices on Twitter and we will re-tweet our favourites.

Looking For A New Office?

Have a free, no obligations chat with one of our experts and get a personalised office shortlist sent straight to your inbox. Zero fees, zero pressure.

Office News & Guides

Employee Wellbeing in the Workplace | Improve Health, Morale and Retention

Employee Wellbeing in the Workplace | Improve Health, Morale and Retention

Employee wellbeing is no longer a luxury or an afterthought — it has become a strategic imperative for organisations of all sizes. As modern w...

What Smart Businesses Know About Office Space That Others Don’t

What Smart Businesses Know About Office Space That Others Don’t

In today’s workplace economy, office space isn’t just a line item – it’s a strategic asset. Yet most businesses treat it like a utility, defau...

The Workspace Mistakes Killing Team Performance (and How to Spot Them Early)

The Workspace Mistakes Killing Team Performance (and How to Spot Them Early)

The workspace is more than just a place to do business. It influences productivity, shapes team dynamics, and affects retention. Yet, too many...

Are You Ready for the Smart Office Revolution? What to Know Now

Are You Ready for the Smart Office Revolution? What to Know Now

The office is no longer just a physical location. It is a data-rich, people-powered environment that can drive wellbeing, productivity and com...

Flexible Office Space Leasing: The Solution for Business Growth

Flexible Office Space Leasing: The Solution for Business Growth

Flexible Office Space Leasing: The Solution for Business GrowthIn today's business world, flexibility is more than a convenience; it is a comp...

How to Find a Workspace That Actually Works (and Wows)

How to Find a Workspace That Actually Works (and Wows)

If you've ever typed "best office space in London" or "how much office space do I need?" into Google, you're not alone. Finding the right offi...

Serviced vs Managed vs Leased Offices

Serviced vs Managed vs Leased Offices

Securing the right office space isn’t just about location, it’s about balancing cost, flexibility, and employee wellbeing. Whether you need an...

A Guide to Moving Offices

A Guide to Moving Offices

Moving into a new office space is an exciting milestone for any business, whether you're expanding, downsizing, or simply looking for a more m...

Flexible Office Spaces vs Traditional Leases

Flexible Office Spaces vs Traditional Leases

The way we think about offices is changing, with the pandemic and the rise of remote and hybrid working causing businesses of all sizes and in...

How The Right Office Environment Can Support Employee Wellbeing

How The Right Office Environment Can Support Employee Wellbeing

As the new year unfolds, individuals and businesses alike focus on fresh starts. And whether you’re tackling dry January or resolving to impro...