SHOW UP ON TIME

 Have you scheduled a meeting/event and had to wait to get started because the attendees had not shown up?  Had the meeting/event begun and late stragglers entered the room/Zoom and started chatting to the group as someone was speaking?  Have you been late for a meeting/event?  Gotcha!  I don't know of anyone that could honestly answer 'no' to any one of these situations.  I would definitely say 'yes' to all three-guilty! I understand the rationale for being on time.

THAT is precisely why I chose to bring this into the forefront as we are slipping away from protocols and etiquette.  Show respect for the presenters time.   The attendees time.  Respect.  That may sound a bit odd for some.  Without respect and consideration for others where are we as a society?  

I recently left the corporate world.  Mergers and acquisitions  became an expectation for employees.  In-boxes were full of emails from everywhere.  Business includes so many layers of governmental regulation and even policy changes due to societal events. Changes some would say were for the worse-some better due to technology.  One thing did not change.  The importance of showing up on time.  Attending a meeting either virtual or physical a few minutes ahead of the start time was encouraged.

I was forced to work from home.  Much like the rest of our world, I engaged with other groups/committees/businesses in on-line meetings.  I realized  people did not appreciate the concept of being on time.  Worse yet some appeared disheveled, in bathrobes and laughed about it, and some-came late.  Some had children crawling over them.  You get my point-you have been there.  Be mindful of those scheduled commitments.  

For those coordinating: be  mindful of not just the start but end time.  If traveling and attending in person, allow an additional 15 to 30 minutes drive time.  Start the Zoom a few minutes early to make sure you have a good connection.  Set up email reminders or enter an alarm on your cell phone. AND, if needed-contact someone if you are going to be late as soon as you are aware.  They do not need your excuses.  Be brief.   Others are counting on your help/input/expertise.