Meetings are often considered the black sheep of many business processes, and as such, are commonly used as the scapegoat as to why not much can be accomplished. As it turns out, this reputation isn’t without its reasons.

In short, meetings can and do create obstacles to productivity. Let’s consider what a recent survey has revealed about this phenomenon.

A Recent Report Points to Meetings—Amongst Other Factors—As an Aspect that Could Stand to Improve in Business

Asana recently released a report, titled The Anatomy of Work Global Index 2023, that discussed a variety of modern business realities. The unifying focus of this report, however, was clearly rooted in the topic of collaboration and how to improve it. In this report, meetings (as many currently understand them, at least) were placed in the crosshairs.

More specifically, the report posits that modern organizations could see some significant benefits from reconsidering their processes…including the meetings that they hold.

Stop Me When This Sounds Too Familiar…

According to The Anatomy of Work, unnecessary meetings are up 2.8 hours each week for the average knowledge worker, with those in leadership positions spending an average of 3.6 per week. Those in leadership roles were also shown to be 30% more likely to miss deadlines due to calls or meetings.

These stats are closely related to some others that the report cited. Take, for instance, the fact that 58% of surveyed knowledge workers reported that what the report called “work about work” (unneeded meetings, duplicated work efforts, and all the other tasks that aren’t technically in the job description but are assumed to come with it) took up 58% of the workday. Compare this to the 33% of time that skilled work takes, and the 9% used on strategic work, and there’s a lot of time that is being—to be frank—wasted in all these meetings.

What the Report Suggests Can Be Done

Asana’s document suggests that companies should “Focus on smart collaboration. Look for ways to streamline processes, not add more meetings.”

Or, in other words, collaborate more effectively, while “collaborating” less.

So, How Does a Business Collaborate More Effectively?

Fortunately, Asana’s report gives us a simple punch list to describe, as they put it, “how leaders can turn data into action”—the quote above referencing the streamlining of processes is actually the first entry on that list.

The rest of this list includes a few other insights, including one interesting concept in particular:

Giving Everyone Goals that Contribute to the Company’s Shared Objectives

One of the biggest misconceptions about collaboration is that it’s something that has to be accomplished together, in a group setting. At least, that’s what is heavily implied.

However, two people in two entirely different departments can easily collaborate on a project or goal without ever communicating with one another. If they are each given goals that will help bring a project to a successful conclusion, they are, by definition, collaborating—and doing so more productively than they likely would be if they were sitting in a meeting.

We Can Help Your Team Collaborate Outside of the Conference Room

From shared digital workplaces, to a complete assortment of communication tools, to yes, the means of holding a meeting with dispersed participants, we can supply your team with the technology that will help them collaborate more effectively. To learn more about the platforms we can help you get set up with, give us a call at 1-855-405-8889.