April 7th, 2010 
Maria Helm 
It’s not unusual for some of us to attend three to six meetings every week. The majority of these are about one hour long. At this rate, one could spend a staggering 9,000 hours or more in meetings over the course of his or her career. This makes it especially important to evaluate whether a meeting is necessary and how to make the most of those you lead or attend.
Make sure every meeting is absolutely necessary. Only call a meeting when it is absolutely the best way to accomplish an objective. Explore all other alternatives before calling a meeting. If you can accomplish objectives by phone or e-mail, save everyone’s time and plan it accordingly.
Make the meeting short. Most managers say that at least one-half of their meeting time is wasted. That averages out to 5 hours per week, 250 hours per year for each person involved.
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Shameless procrastination. Reluctantly saying yes. Complaining relentlessly. Feeling like a martyr. You go through all that, when a two-letter word could have set you free from obligation: “No.” Darn it, I can’t. Sorry, no. Love to, but no, can’t do it this time. That’s what your inner bobblehead was screaming as your mouth said, “Yes, I’d love to host this year’s Superbowl party.”
Electronic mail. Who doesn’t love it? It’s quick, efficient and –let’s be honest — allows us to be somewhat removed from the person on the other end. But that doesn’t mean you throw professional courtesy and etiquette out the window when using e-mail to communicate with those around you. In fact, you should pay close attention to your e-mail habits and determine that you are sending the right message with each click of the mouse. Read on for a few tips on how to keep your e-mail goofs to a minimum:
Everyone likes to hear the words “thank you” once in a while. But in our fast-paced, super-connected world, handwritten notes of thanks are in danger of becoming a thing of the past. So don’t let your busy lifestyle get in the way of good manners. Thank-you notes don’t have to be a burden. They can be fun. Thank-you notes are an age-old way of keeping communication amongst business colleagues, customers, friends and family open. Here are some tips on how to say thanks quickly and creatively:
