What do you think of laptops at meetings ?

There was is an interesting article in the New York Times today regarding the phenomenon of people bringing and using their laptops at meetings.  It is from the perspective of a high-level manager at Microsoft.

I know that I originally felt that it was extremely rude to be reading from your laptop (when it was obvious that you're not taking notes).  However, with time, I started going with the trend and used the time to catch up on emails and maybe some surfing.   I do try to limit my distractions to when I am sitting in on a (large audience) presentation to generally avoid it when I am in a smaller meeting.

How do you handle this issue as a participant ? As a presenter/meeting leader ?

 

7 Comments

  • When you are a participant at a meeting and you are doing things are not related to it, then some one's time is probably being wasted; either yours because you are there or theirs because you are not paying attention.

    I can't read the article, but I think a high level manager would be more likely to be present in meetings as an observer. In this situation, they might mostly work on something else, only paying attention when something catches their ear

  • I would say that in smaller meetings, no laptops should be allowed. Have a focused meeting. Make decisions quickly and let people get back to work. If anyone needs to communicate with someone outside the room, they should excuse themselves from the room and make the call or email.

    * Generally, keep meetings as short as possible.
    * Invite only those who will actively contribute.
    * Stick to the time.
    * Have a stand-up meeting to focus on the problem at hand.

  • I work in an engineering environment, and one of our directors just purchased a laptop for this reason.

    He spends alot of time in long meetings in which he only participates in 10 minutes of discussion. Instead of wasting the 5 hours, he does some design work. Sounds like smart business to me!

  • I personally hate sitting next to individuals with laptops as the constant clacking at the keys breaks my concentration.

  • Well, I personally enjoy putting them on the spot. When they obviously haven't been paying attention its fun to say - "What did you think about what John just said?" - Its this kind of sadistic humour that makes work more enjoyable for me.

  • God, we need an economic recession to bring people back to their senses.

  • Yes, laptops at meetings is a bad idea. Meetings tend to corrupt the zen laptop experience. I'd say, just skip the meeting.

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