A study by Radisson Blu Hotels has found that office staff that have meetings at work, hold, on average, three meetings per day, lasting over an hour in total. In extreme cases, some individuals attend more than ten meetings per day or say they spend over 3 hours each day in meetings.
The study suggests that the workers are not as engaged as they could be: of those questioned, 27 per cent found the meetings that they attend to be average, whilst a further 15 per cent went one step further and labelled their meetings bad or very bad and a completely ineffective use of their time. The top three reasons given for meetings being ineffective were:
- no clear agenda (66 per cent)
- poorly managed (50 per cent)
- uncomfortable furniture (11 per cent)
Inattention during meetings
Perhaps as a result of one or more of the above, nearly half of office workers (47 per cent) admitted to daydreaming during a meeting, with 37 per cent admitting to missing a key point as a result. Nearly a fifth of attendees (19 per cent) have found themselves distractedly looking at their phone, while one in ten has actually even fallen asleep (11 per cent) or played a game to amuse themselves (9 per cent).
Meetings need to be as productive as possible
Steve Manfield, Area Director, Marketing UK & Ireland for Radisson Blu said: ”The UKs meeting industry generated £5.6 billion for the economy in 2013, therefore it’s important that meetings are designed to be as productive as possible. Our study shows that people can often get quickly distracted and phase out during poorly planned and frequent work-based meetings in the office.”
Radisson Blu ‘Experience Meetings’ concept
Continues Manfield, “Our Radisson Blu ‘Experience Meetings’ concept was launched in response to changing customer demands and focuses on delivering seven key components for successful meetings to ensure that they are effective, efficient and engaging for all who take part. Radisson Blu has also developed a special Brain Food menu for meeting delegates, comprising nutritionally balanced and healthy food items to keep delegates alert3.”
The Radisson Blu Experience Meetings focuses on delivering seven key components for successful meetings:
- Brain Food, nutritionally balanced and healthy food items to keep delegates alert
- Brain Box, a creative space, an alternative to a traditional meeting room
- Free & Fast WiFi for all Radisson Blu guests and meeting delegates
- Think Planet, a commitment to being a Responsible Business through Carbon Neutral meetings
- Club Carlson Points for Planners, a personal benefit for meetings planners
- Meet Yes I can! a unique service philosophy for meeting delegates
- Meet Satisfaction, a commitment to deliver 100% guest satisfaction or your money back
Meeting Planners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa can enjoy Experience Meetings at 200+ Radisson Blu hotels, including key city centres in the UK and Ireland and now also including 13Radisson Blu Edwardian hotels in the UK, 11 of which are in London – providing meeting planners in the capital with an excellent choice of venues and locations.
For further information: Julie Deighton, Director PR & Communication, UK and Ireland, Julie.deighton@carlsonrezidor.com
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