Does anyone know how long a 10second announcment at the end of a meeting is?

Does anyone know how long a 10second announcment at the end of a meeting is?

I see so many abuse this system, either banging on for 40-60seconds or using it as another sales pitch opportunity.

As a result, i'm close to binning it across the network.

Its so sad, but when you are in employee and you say you got to get back to work at 1030 and a meeting ends late becuase of a selfish "10 second announcment" i think it flies in the face of everything 4N stands for.

I'd be interested to hear you view on this.

How about changing it to any other business where self promotion is banned but we can still announce things like charity events, other neetwork events and other general interest stuff

The 10 second announcements that I hear are either promoting existing groups - which should be done in the part of the meeting when the next meetings are announced - or as you say, a 40 second bolt-on which really isn't on.

What would other 4N'ers consider genuine 10 second announcements & 10 second announcements that shouldn't be done - in their experience?

Hi Brad

I think relevant 10secs should be allowed. Maybe allowing up to 3 announcement that fit the criteria.

I utilise it occasionally but I agree, it can seriously delay a meeting. There's nothing worse when you have to get off and suddenly 'oh, can I announce something!'.

What is worse is when people promote their groups, if they are not in the local area, ask them to be added when the GL reads that bit in the script.

Agree with that, it is too often imo used to promote other groups when that is already taken care of in the script.

Should be only charity events and other bits & bobs of interest.

The criteria would have to be really well defined. I personally would ban it.

Use your 40 seconds to self promote.

Good point Phil - only pre-arranged 10 second announcements should be allowed - maybe even then the GL can 'vet' the quality, suitability or substance of that announcement?

control and education is important, if you do both it should work.

Control the abuses by not letting them do it again, and/or fining them and educate them as to the correct use of the 10 seconds so it doesn't happen

choose your order of implementation.

I've got to admit, an extra 10 seconds here or there never used to bother me.

But now I really see the point of this thread Brad, it is very easy for a meeting to over-run which can really put peoples schedules out. Being employed now I am sure that certain people within the employed world see business networking as just some jolly, where people get to go and have a nice social breakfast and pretend they are working. Coming back to the office late from each meeting just makes it harder for employers to warm to letting their staff take part.

Now I totally agree :)

Keep it tight as above, unless it's an announcement from me - which is of course different

Thats the way its sposed to be.

Same thing can be said of the 2 minute 40 seconds pitch. Get John Batch on the case. He keeps people to time.

Your priority isn't myu priority.. I've zero'd a few people on a persoanl MLKT basis who have took the piss on this front lately.

I honestly think we should do away with it now, having seen it happen 1 too many times. Its disrespectful.

"The next meetings for passporters are ..." <-- That's where the local groups get a mention, not in the 10 secs.
10 secs is for AOB - it could be relevant to networking, "I'm running a free networking event tomorrow, speak to me for more info" or not relevant "Our office are having their summer BBQ, everyone invited, speak to me for more details" etc.

That's it, that's all it should be. Get to the point.