How much could you save as an organisation if your meetings were more effective?
Here at Prospect/WNE, we are very proud of the results that our participants gain from attending our Effective Chairing Skills Training. Here are some of the benefits to investing in your chairs and ensuring your meetings are effective, productive and outcome focused. The investment can also save you money.
Meetings are an integral part of organisational life. They serve as a forum for collaboration, decision-making, and information sharing. However, poorly managed meetings can be costly (research by UNC quoted meetings as costing large organisations more than £800,000.00 One crucial element in ensuring meetings are efficient and valuable is the role of the meeting chairperson. In this thought leader piece / blog, we'll delve into why effectively chairing a meeting can save money and help productivity for organisations.
Efficient Use of Time Time is money, and unproductive meetings waste both. A skilled meeting chairperson can keep discussions focused, ensuring that the agenda is followed, and unnecessary tangents are avoided. This results in shorter, more effective meetings, saving time for both the chair and the participants. Reduced time in meetings means more time for actual work, ultimately increasing productivity.
Enhanced Decision-Making Effective meetings are essential for informed decision-making. A good meeting chair facilitates discussions and encourages participation, allowing diverse viewpoints to be considered. Through clear leadership and direction, they help participants reach decisions more efficiently, preventing the need for additional meetings or revisiting topics, which can cost an organisation both time and resources.
Improved Accountability One of the key responsibilities of a meeting chair is to assign action items and deadlines. This accountability ensures that decisions made in meetings lead to action. When actions are clear and deadlines are met, productivity increases, and the organisation's resources are utilised more effectively.
Reduced Efficiencies in work and Burnout We all know what it feels like to be in back-to-back meetings all day and every day, we are told by our clients “that they spend hours every day in face-to-face and virtual meetings and wonder what they have gained and what outcomes have been achieved” and feel exhausted. When meetings are consistently inefficient or run long, it can often lead to working extra hours to catch up on their regular tasks. This can lead to burnout, decreased morale, and increased turnover. An effective chairperson who manages meetings effectively can prevent these negative consequences and help maintain a healthier work-life balance for their workforce.
Cost Savings Consider the resources allocated to a meeting, such as the participants' time, meeting room, equipment, and materials. Inefficient meetings waste these resources, translating to a financial cost for the organisation. By optimising meetings through effective chairing, organisations can save money by reducing the time and resources spent on unproductive gatherings.
Improved Workforce Engagement An engaged workforce are more productive and motivated. When meetings are well-chaired, participants feel that their time is valued, and their contributions are meaningful. This engagement not only increases productivity during meetings but also spills over into everyday work activities.
Better Communication and Information Flow Effective meeting chairing promotes clear communication and ensures that vital information is shared. When information flows smoothly, employees can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of costly errors and misunderstandings.
Adapting to Changing Circumstances In dynamic environments, organisations need to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Effective meeting chairing can help navigate unexpected challenges and keep teams aligned, saving time and resources that might otherwise be wasted in confusion or misdirection.
Conclusion In today's fast-paced world, organisations cannot afford to waste time, resources, and energy on unproductive meetings. Chairing effective meetings is a crucial skill that can save money and boost productivity. It optimizes the use of time, enhances decision-making, improves accountability, reduces overtime, and fosters workforce engagement, among other benefits. By investing in training and supporting skilled meeting chairpersons, organisations can reap the rewards of more efficient, cost-effective, and productive meetings.
Why not consider investing in your chairs?
Please get in contact to have a chat about our Effective Chairing Skills Training.
Research
Comments