Biggest Meeting Gripe: Going Off-Schedule

According to a new survey from Accountemps, managers’ biggest meeting pet peeve is beginning or ending late.

The survey, conducted by telephone, asked more than 1,000 senior managers, “Which one of the following is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to meetings?” The responses:

• Not keeping to the schedule: 31 percent
• Meetings that seem unnecessary: 27 percent
• Attendees using PDAs or laptops for non-meeting related activities: 18 percent
• People interrupting each other: 15 percent
• Meetings scheduled during lunch: 9 percent

“Short, focused meetings are often the most productive,” Accountemps Chairman Max Messmer said. “Organizers and participants both play a role in keeping these gatherings in check.”