## 📉 Rethinking Productivity: Sri Lanka’s Meeting Culture Crisis

A recent analysis highlights a hidden drain on the Sri Lankan economy: unproductive meetings. As the nation navigates its ongoing economic recovery, addressing inefficiencies in both the public and private sectors is becoming a critical factor for national productivity. • The Productivity Gap Global research indicates that up to 83% of meetings are considered unproductive by managers. Long, unstructured sessions—often exceeding 140 minutes—lead to significant "opportunity costs" in terms of time and money. Excessive meetings are cited as a primary "productivity killer," increasing stress and reducing employee autonomy. • Key Economic Indicators of Inefficiency Time Cost: Every hour spent in a meeting by several staff members represents multiple paid work hours without direct output. Space Utilization: Inefficient booking of meeting rooms leads to wasted organizational resources. Focus Time: Lack of uninterrupted blocks for "deep work" hinders the completion of technical reports and ICT/BPM related tasks. • Strategic Recommendations Policy Caps: Implementing strict time limits (e.g., 90-minute maximums) to ensure focused discussions. Selective Attendance: Inviting only essential decision-makers to reduce the cumulative man-hour cost. Alternative Channels: Moving routine updates to digital platforms or email to preserve focus for high-value tasks. • National Impact Transitioning to a purposeful meeting culture provides a competitive advantage. Improved management strategies are essential for the sustainable development and long-term economic performance of Sri Lankan organizations.