Truth is, Tara did most of the work (like, um, flying across the country to actually deliver the presentation for 600 attendees), and I chipped in with design, layout, and concept support. Together we created an 18-page booklet that her ever-more-productive pupils were able to use during the half-day session.

Tara’s client handled the printing, so we were limited on ink colors and binding. Nevertheless, I think the piece (below) turned out OK.

Thanks for the opportunity to lend a hand, Tara. Remember me when you get all famous and stuff.

TimeBridge isn’t the only meeting scheduler that offers this, so they need to differentiate themselves. Yesterday, TimeBridge launched a movement to change the way we think about meeting length: why not schedule for 45 minutes instead of a full hour? The announcement email noted:

In his book, “The Hamster Revolution for Meetings,” Mike Song reports that meeting attendees claim 43% of meeting time is wasted. When you consider the average professional is in 463 meetings a year we think it’s high time to take action.

To that end, TimeBridge has created a separate website: The 45 Minute Meeting Movement. In the first post, they offer “5 Rules of the 45 Minute Meeting”—rules that are not really new, but good reminders for making our shorter meetings more efficient. Further, TimeBridge has set a new default meeting length of 45 minutes instead of an hour when scheduling a meeting using their online tools.

What are some implications of holding 45 Minute Meetings? When you count the scheduling time and the time it takes to compile and send the notes you may have taken, is it fair to still bill the client for a full hour? Can they only work if they start right on the dot? And more importantly, does this leave enough time for eating cupcakes?

If you have ideas about making meetings efficient, Tweet your tips using the tag #45minmtg. You just might win a free copy of “The Hamster Revolution for Meetings: How to Meet Less and Get More Done” by Mike Song.