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Take a Stand to Keep Meetings Short and Productive

October 5th, 2007 @ 9:00 am

6 Comments

Categories: Business, General, Time-Savers

Tags: Minute, That, Rick Broida

standup-meeting.jpgDon’t take meetings sitting down. That’s the advice of blogger and professional organizer John Trosko, who discovered the benefits of “stand-up” meetings:

Instead of sitting at a traditional conference table, we took the chairs out of the room and ran meetings while standing on our feet.  Well, the length of the meetings DRASTICALLY dropped, because people didn’t want to stand for long.  Meetings went from 30-60 minutes to roughly 1/2 of that while still delivering meaty content.  Neat, huh?

Very neat. In fact, I recently discovered that standing is a great way to shake loose writer’s block: If I’ve been at my desk for too long and just can’t crank out any more words, I’ll move my notebook to a high table or countertop, then stand there and work for 10-15 minutes. I also find that I prefer to be standing when I’m on a business call, as my brain seems to work better when I’m moving around.

What’s your take on stand-up productivity? Don’t just sit there — hit the Comments and give us your opinion! Photo by Toni Malin. [via Lifehack.org]

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  •  
    1

    senthilKN

    10/09/07 | Report as spam

    Great Paradgim Shift

    I belive it is one of the great creative thinking and i am sure it works, ofcourse may not be under all circumstances, but under many circumstances, like everyday routine office meeting etc , it can save lot of time and money.

  •  
    2

    richard.clarke@...

    10/09/07 | Report as spam

    standing up

    If you are in an open-plan office please, please do not stand up when you are taking a phone call - the rest of the office really doesn't want to hear your conversation

  •  
    3

    ccurry1@...

    10/14/07 | Report as spam

    Shorter meetings are better

    This is very much like the mandatory morning formations I attended in the military. It is great for meetings where the intent is to provide or gather information. Be sure to have an agenda.

    Curt Curry

  •  
    4

    Surewewill65

    03/14/08 | Report as spam

    RE: Stand Up Meetings

    I tried this at a large money management firm several years ago; I had a staff of about 13 admin/operating types who always returned to a desk filled with messages and things to do (including myself). No coffee, snacks, nothing but an agenda, feedback from the troops and then back to work.

    Lasted for two or three (successful) meetings before head of personnel got wind of it and I was told to to desist standing meetings as it impacted morale. (She was subsequently let go several months later but I don't think because of her no standing rule. :))

    I still believe in it and agendas for meetings, otherwise, they are just exhausting to all concerned. In my business now, at prospects/client meetings, I "stand up mentally" stick to the agenda and get done asap.

    dom rossi

  •  
    5

    BrianSJ

    03/17/08 | Report as spam

    yes, mix sitting and standing

    http://www.standupdesks.com/index.shtml
    I have long coveted these beautiful stand up desks. Sitting at a desk all day is definitely not good for creative work. Try Dragon Naturally Speaking Mobile.

  •  
    6

    yinyoung

    03/28/08 | Report as spam

    RE: Take a Stand to Keep Meetings Short and Productive

    it depends. if i am doing my work, i would prefer sitting down. on the other hand, as a reflex, i would stand whenever i receive or make an important call. standing up also boost my confidence, especially i m conducting a meeting.

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