The time of day you plan to have meetings is very important because timing is everything. There is usually a lot to do and not enough time in the day!
You will want all of your meetings to be as productive as possible, to get the most out of your work day! So….. when is the best time to have a meeting?
When is truly the best time to hold meetings?
Depending on the kind of meeting you are conducting, there is no definitive answer to this, therefore we will start here.
Our research indicates that the most effective time to have a meeting is in the middle of the day, between 10 am and 12 pm. This is true for everyone, regardless of role, industry, or location.
What are the ideal times to hold meetings?
Early mornings are one of the best times to hold meetings. Many people are at their most alert first thing in the morning. And you can gain plenty of value from having your customers’ full attention. However, others argue that evenings you have a better opportunity to go to the meeting without any outstanding tasks taking priority for your clients.
So what is right for you?
Mornings
These meetings are held between 8 and 11 am and are ideal for when all attendees are looking to get their meetings off their plate as soon as possible. These are best kept short, roughly 15 minutes, usually because some attendees may still be struggling to feel awake and productive. It’s important that all preparation is done for early morning meetings the day before.
Lunchtime
A lunchtime meeting is around noon and attendees are encouraged to enjoy their meal during the meeting. Consider taking advantage of the fact that these should start with a fun icebreaker where people share if they’re enjoying anything particularly exciting or delicious over lunch.
Afternoons
Thinking of scheduling an afternoon meeting? Take a beat and give your attendees some time to perk back up, as they can sometimes feel tired or sluggish right after eating. Consider waiting until 2:30 – 3 pm to gather the team for a meaningful conversation.
Evenings
In an end-of-day meeting, it’s common for attendees to feel anxious and watch the clock tick until it’s time for them to call it a day and log off. Steer clear of this time slot unless it’s the only time available or something urgent.
In reality, there is no perfect timing when you schedule meetings, it all depends on how critical and important the meeting is. The most important should be reserved for later in the day, preferably afternoons while easier meetings should be done earlier on to get off your desk. Booking into too early or too late is not favourable for anyone so desirable times consist of late mornings and afternoons.
No matter what time you prefer your meetings, CatchApp Bookings enables professionals to allocate their best availability for meetings easily in a matter of clicks!
CatchApp lets you create a bookable calendar for your meetings and appointments, and lets you fill your schedule efficiently. If you’re having eight meetings a week for a whole year (except when you’re out of the office, of course), CatchApp saves you up to one month of time that would usually be spent organising meetings, rearranging, and following up on RSVPs.
Want to make scheduling hassle-free? Set up your account here.