STUDY: More than half secretly multitask during meetings
- 12 Comment
Do you secretly multitask during meetings? According to a new survey released by PGi, results showed more than half of the respondents (small-business owners and IT decision-makers) secretly multitask during meetings and only a few admitted to getting “caught” multi-tasking. I’ll admit it, I’m guilty (and based on these results you probably are, too). What does this multi-tasking mean to the success (or not) of said meetings? How engaged are we if we’re constantly doing something else, like checking email.
Overall, the survey showed that business professionals “embrace the ease and freedom provided by virtual meetings,” and are frustrated by less-than-mannerly behaviors in the boardroom or on conference calls. What do less-than-mannerly behaviors look like?
- Engaging in side conversations: 72 percent (IT), 69 percent (SMB)
- Checking personal e-mail: 58 percent (IT), 64 percent (SMB)
- Zoning out: 49 percent (IT), 54 percent (SMB)
- Checking sports scores: 43 percent (IT), 51 percent (SMB)
- Leaving the room: 38 percent (IT), 41 percent (SMB)
I wonder if the number of “multi-tasking” activities during a meeting serves as a pulse to your organization’s level of personal engagement… How “lively” can a meeting be if 50 percent of people are doing something else? If you’re leading a meeting, it’s likely that you’d like full attention. If you’re sitting in a meeting, it’s likely that you want the freedom to multi-task. So, how do you set boundaries or encourage a healthy balance? One way is through setting meeting ground rules all agree to (e.g. no cell phones out). More aggressive–conduct reality check on the structure and use of meetings in your organization. There’s a difference between multi-tasking and completely checking out. You need to find a balance.
Survey respondents also noted that they highly value technology that enables “face-to-face” moments without incurring travel costs. If you’re using virtual meetings to save money and connect, you may want to think about how these meetings take place. Virtual shouldn’t mean a chance to check out and catch up on work. It’s still valuable time and an opportunity to connect with others.
“When you add the visual element to a meeting, you better connect with others and become even more productive,” said PGi CEO and Chairman Boland T. Jones. “A meeting isn’t just a business transaction; it’s an opportunity to establish trust. Technology doesn’t replace relationship building. Technology should support it.”
Do you multitask during meetings? Do you think it’s acceptable?
12 Comments on this post
Trackbacks
-
Laptop Carrying Cases said:
Wow those are surprising stats. Sounds like some very unproductive meetings. If I was a boss conducting a meeting I sure wouldn’t condone behavior like that. I guess with all the virtual meetings & conference calls it is quite easy to get away with these things.
April 21st, 2010 at 1:59 pm -
Crysta Anderson said:
These numbers even seem low! As I type, I’m on a conference call with 11 other people. Even though 7 of us are in the same office, we’re all sitting at our desks so we can “multitask” and send IMs to each other, email, tweet etc.
I think there’s a time and place for multitasking in meetings – like when you’re attending a long webinar where you’re not actively interacting with the presenters – but it’s gotten out of hand. Meetings without multitasking could be so much shorter and productive if everyone devoted 15 or 20 minutes to truly listening to each other, hammering out next steps and moving on. Instead, we spend so much time churning through the same thing, missing things and repeating ourselves.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:50 am -
may@musicboxes said:
Not really a surprising stats. The word “multi-tasking” connotes a good impression for employees. On meetings though, it just offensive and appalling.
April 24th, 2010 at 8:19 pm -
dental hygienist said:
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
April 26th, 2010 at 1:15 am -
book buy back said:
Those stats do not surprise me at all. I can’t tell you how many times I have done that. Another thing that should be addressed as well is.. How many times during a week is a person holding these meetings and are they productive. I have had to sit threw mindless arguments that end up wasting time and making the meeting a waist of time and stressful to boot.
April 27th, 2010 at 3:15 pm -
forex demo account said:
i aggree with may, these stats didn’t surprise me too.
April 28th, 2010 at 6:37 am -
Venetian Mirrors said:
Multi tasking has been a common routine for most of us, so I’m afraid we are used to do it whatever we do and whenever we’re we. But one thing is sure, it’s not a good practice during meetings.
April 29th, 2010 at 7:44 pm -
Forex Indicators said:
In this competitive environment where everyone is short of time. Multitasking is common be it personal or work issues.
I myself is always multitasking as well.
May 1st, 2010 at 6:52 am -
watch cartoons said:
Not really a surprising stats :SS
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:59 am -
Umbro England said:
I wish I could multi task during meetings, i always end up sleeping or looking through the window lol
May 5th, 2010 at 11:00 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MeganKGreen: Sounds about right. RT @prsarahevans: STUDY: More than half secretly multitask during meetings http://j.mp/cFchA5 (just released data)…
[...] I am very guilty of multitasking in my day to day life, but what about at work? I recently read an interesting post by Sarah Evans discussing a new PGi survey. The results showed that more than half of the [...]