Billion Dollar Idea for HR: Cut Meetings in Half

Nov 20

SawIf you’re an HR leader and want to do something that will significantly impact the bottom line at your company, here it is: Cut meetings in half.

Cut Meetings in Half; Save a Billion Dollars
HR can develop a staffing plan to save mountains of cash and small cities worth of headcount. Here’s how: Create a Cut it in Half campaign. Sell the idea to the CFO and CEO. Look like a hero.

Cut it in Half: The Mantra
Half the people.
Half the time.

Imagine how much more productivity you could get from your white collar employees if you challenged (okay, I mean “demanded”) meeting organizers to cut the number of attendees in half. Then cut the meeting time in half. If all meetings in your place are scheduled for an hour, make 30 minutes the rule. If eight people are deemed “necessary,” invite them, then when the group arrives at the meeting, make four of them leave. Half the people; half the time.

This isn’t nuts. It’s reality. Managers become senior managers when their calendars are fully booked. How does that make any sense? I’m not saying that all meetings are a waste, just half of each of those meetings. So get on with it. Half the people; half the time. How hard would that be? Hey, recruiters, want to cut down on your workload and look for qualified candidates rather than warm bodies to fill seats at meetings? Half the people; half the time.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Credit: Image source]

About the Author
Frank Roche

Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.

Share this post

Comments

  1. JT says:

    1. This is brillant. Thanks.

    2. “the copyright question” not sure what the heck was wrong with my raisin bran yesterday. Sorry to throw a grendade.

  2. Philip says:

    Great post.

    I’m curious if there’s any documented research on organizations that swear by “stand-up meetings only”. I can imagine the time savings would be huge.

    People just don’t think about the money they’re burning through when they waste time in meetings. Maybe a visible taximeter would help. :)

  3. Frank Roche says:

    JT, thanks. And I appreciate being reminded about citations. I generally try to do a good job with that, but when I get rushed I can forget. Original work is original work and should be cited. No harm, no foul there.

    Philip, I’ll have to look into that more. A taxi meter…great one. That’s real money piling up. Wow…super idea.

Leave a Reply

 
  • About KnowHR

    KnowHR serves up straight talk about human resources, communication and technology. Our goal is to help you make work better. Brought to you by IFRACTAL.

  • Featured Product

  • Sign up for KnowHR

    Want to receive KnowHR via email? Sign up now for our weekly KnowHR Newsletter.

  • Social Media

    • twitter
    • Facebook
    • Flickr
    • tumblr
    • youtube
    • vimeo
    • linkedin
  • Flickr

    • Bethany at IFRACTAL uses the Labyrinth as inspiration to practice contact juggling with an orange
    • We ring in success with the IFRACTAL cow bell
    • Charlie at IFRACTAL is suspended in midair above Chicago at the Sears Tower
    • Sarah at IFRACTAL has a thing for Pringles
    • Andy at IFRACTAL is pumped up for work this Monday
    • Farewell to Steve and Zack, the IFRACTAL interns!
    • Steph and Jess at IFRACTAL kicking it with Spiderman!
    • Furley working up a sweat at IFRACTAL
    • Pat at IFRACTAL says "Hail to the victors valiant!" #mgoblue
    • Shanna's accessories are nerfing to joke about at IFRACTAL!
    • Pat's a sweetheart, but she sure whips up some mean lunches in the IFRACTAL kitchen
    • Jess and Steve scream for ice cream at IFRACTAL!
    • Shanna at IFRACTAL is pretty in pink, pretty badass that is!
    • We know about presentation at IFRACTAL
    • Charlie in his new Do-Rag is handling business at IFRACTAL
    • Frank and Jess at IFRACTAL fall victim to a Candy Coma