As a consult to business owners, some clients insist on having 4-5 hour long meetings.

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Terry Martin

12/26/20 at 1:57PM UTC

As a consult to business owners, some clients insist on having 4-5 hour long meetings.

Mostly ego based because they have an audience. Sometimes not even work related. How can I help them understand how destructive this is especially in virtual meetings, or am I wrong thinking we should be able to condense most items 30-60 minutes and follow up protocol? These are small groups -5-7 people.

6 Comments

Karisa Karmali

604

Founder of Self-Love and Fitness

12/26/20 at 2:45PM UTC

This is absolutely ridiculous, I was at a place like this until I told them I would charge OT for the work I could not get done within working hours due to meetings. After that, each meeting had an agenda and was 45 mins max.

1 Reply

Terry Martin

12/26/20 at 3:10PM UTC

Brilliant! I am going to use this - Thx.

Karisa Karmali

604

Founder of Self-Love and Fitness

12/26/20 at 3:42PM UTC

It was actually funny, but I did in a way where I said I felt sad that my clients didn't get my full attention and I posed it as having no other choice. If you're diplomatic and kind it should be seen as someone concerned with their workload. :)

Anonymous

12/27/20 at 12:52PM UTC

Focus on specifics. Calculate the hourly salary of each attendee and let them know what holding a group of that size costs the company. Emphasize efficiency and cost savings of smaller and shorter meetings.

Alison Swerdloff

Self-Care and Self-Discovery Consultant

12/27/20 at 1:14PM UTC

Especially if you are working with multiple clients, your time is just as important as theirs. Remind them that they have your undivided attention for one hour at a time and to be prepared to move quickly through everything they need to discuss with you. Otherwise they pay for each additional hour. However, you should be able to get through everything if you plan out exactly what will be discussed each session.

Noreen Whysel

12/27/20 at 1:47PM UTC

If you are not w2 they can’t dictate when and how you work. You are the consultant and it’s within your rights to tell them when they are doing it wrong and to charge per person workshop fees for any meeting over top level management headcount.