Movie previews and staff meetings.

The movie was supposed to begin at 1:05 PM. At 1:10 PM the commercials finished and the previews began. 

It wasn't until 1:25 that the main feature started.

Really, an advertised event started 20 minutes late. Those first 20 minutes were busy but it wasn't the main point.

I have attended many meetings with the same schedule as the movie.  

• Advertised to start at 10:00 AM. 

• People begin to show up at or just after the start time.

• The allotted time begins with small talk not related to the meeting.

• We wait for everyone to show up before tackling the agenda.

• A quick glance at a clock reveals we are now 20 minutes into the meeting time.

We were busy, but not focused on the advertised purpose.

We could have got it done if we had got down to business when the meeting was scheduled to start. 

I am all for employees having great relationships fueled by casual conversation, but is a meeting with an agenda the proper place?

Office hour flexibility can be great, but not at the expense of someone else’s schedule.

Some people might read this and think I am rigid /inflexible, not really, I just want to honor everyone’s time and for the team/meeting to be as productive as possible.