Haiti, a nation with immense potential, is caught in a paradox. Despite limited internet access and frequent power outages, Haitians have embraced virtual meetings with an enthusiasm that often borders on excess. Zoom and WhatsApp calls have become the default mode of “work,” yet many of these discussions lead nowhere—just endless cycles of planning more meetings. If the objective were productivity, one could argue that Haiti has mastered the art of wasting time under the guise of collaboration.
But why does this happen? And more importantly, how can Haitians—and other nations struggling with the same issue—reclaim efficiency in the digital age?
The Virtual Meeting Epidemic: A Symptom of Deeper Dysfunction
1. Meetings About Meetings: A Culture of Delayed Action
In Haiti, it’s not uncommon to attend a meeting where the sole agenda is scheduling another meeting. This bureaucratic loop creates the illusion of progress while delaying real work. Research from Harvard Business Review (2017) found that unproductive meetings cost companies billions annually—imagine the cost for a nation already struggling with economic instability.
2. The “I Just Want to Speak” Syndrome**
Many participants raise their hands not to contribute meaningfully, but simply to echo previous statements or assert their presence. This phenomenon, known as “meeting inflation,” dilutes focus and prolongs discussions unnecessarily. A study by the University of North Carolina (2020) revealed that in unstructured meetings, only 20% of attendees drive 80% of the conversation—the rest is filler.
3. Politics and the Never-Ending Discussion
When politics enters the chat, meetings often lose structure entirely. Discussions spiral into debates, finish times become fluid, and agendas dissolve. In Haiti, where political tensions run high, virtual meetings can easily turn into ideological battlegrounds rather than productive working sessions.
How to Fix Haiti’s Virtual Meeting Crisis
The original author proposed key rules to streamline meetings, and research supports these strategies:
1. Appoint a Strong Moderator – Without leadership, discussions veer off track. A moderator ensures adherence to the agenda.
2. Use the Mute Button Strategically – Allowing only one speaker at a time prevents chaos.
3. Stick to a Clear Agenda – The Kellogg School of Management (2019) found that agendas reduce meeting times by up to 40%.
4. Time-Limited Interventions – Equal speaking time prevents dominance by a few voices.
5. End on Time (No Exceptions) – Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill time—if a meeting is open-ended, inefficiency follows.
6. Stay on Topic – Tangents kill productivity. Redirect off-topic discussions to follow-up emails or separate meetings.
The Bigger Issue: Virtual Alone Isn’t Enough
The author rightly points out that true progress rarely happens in virtual-only environments. Studies from MIT (2021) show that complex projects require in-person collaboration for trust-building and decisive action. While teleconferences are useful for updates, Haiti must balance them with real-world execution.
From Talk to Action
Haiti’s over-reliance on unproductive virtual meetings reflects a deeper cultural and systemic issue—a preference for discussion over execution. While platforms like Zoom and WhatsApp are powerful tools, they must be used strategically, not as a substitute for real work.
If Haiti is to move forward, its leaders and professionals must shift from planning meetings to planning results. Otherwise, the nation risks remaining stuck in an endless loop of conversations that lead nowhere.
As the saying goes, “A meeting is an event where minutes are taken and hours are wasted.” For Haiti, the challenge is clear: cut the virtual clutter and focus on what truly moves the needle.
Moïse Garcon, Transparans Executive Editor, is an independent senior journalist and researcher, president of VIZAJ Diaspora, coordinator of Proposition Citoyenne (Citizen proposal), a human rights activist and community organizer.
Moïse G. is also a Trucking & logistics expert, Fleet Manager, a Top Gun senior trainer and TSU SE regional VP.
