The Real Cost of Unproductive Meetings

Mike Veny

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We’ve all been there before – stuck in a long, unproductive meeting that feels like it’s going nowhere. Not only are these meetings a waste of time, but they also cost businesses money in terms of lost productivity. A recent study found that the average worker spends 31 hours in unproductive meetings each month. That’s nearly an entire workweek!

So what makes a meeting unproductive? There are several factors, but one of the most common is poor planning. All too often, meetings are scheduled with a clear purpose or agenda. As a result, they quickly devolve into chaos as everyone tries to get their point across. Another common problem is allowing too many people to attend the meeting. This can lead to side conversations and distractions, making it difficult to focus on the task. In addition, some meetings lack structure, with no one taking the lead or facilitating the discussion.

Unproductive meetings can have severe consequences for businesses. Not only do they waste valuable time and resources, but they can also lead to confusion and decreased morale which can have devastating effects on employee engagement and productivity. In addition, the cost of hosting these meetings can eat into a company’s budget and cripple a growing company financially.

If you are interested in more information, please look at the following infographic. The infographic shows unproductive meetings’ impact on businesses’ productivity and finances and also discusses alternative approaches for more effective meetings. Check out the infographic to learn more.


Infographic Design By Unproductive meetings

Mike Veny

Mike Veny won Corporate LiveWire’s 2022 & 2023 Innovation & Excellence Awards for his work as a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist®. He also won NAMI New York State’s 2023 Leader Of Mental Health Awareness award. As a PM360 ELITE Award Winner, he was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the healthcare industry for his work with patient advocacy. Determined to overcome a lifetime of serious mental health challenges, Mike’s career began as a professional drummer and evolved into becoming a change maker in the workplace wellness industry. Mike is the author of several books, including the best-selling book, Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero. He is currently furthering his knowledge at Maharishi International University, pursuing a Consciousness and Human Potential degree.