Research from operational improvement consultancy Proudfoot Consulting shows only 29% internal business meetings draw up an agenda, only a third had full attendance and only a third prepared and recorded minutes.

Only 15% had active participation by attendees although almost two thirds (65%) had follow-up assignments allocated.

The research highlights that over half of the internal meetings studied overran the time assigned to them, showing that poor organisation can cost employers time and money in wasted productivity.

Jean Thevelin, European president of Proudfoot Consulting, said: "Inefficiency in meetings, a key area in business communication, can literally cost organisations millions a year.

"Companies need to make managers aware of when to call a meeting, with whom and for what purpose. It sounds simple, yet the majority of meetings we observe occur arbitrarily and, in turn, leave people without a sense of purpose - a key reason behind a lack of subsequent action and a drop in productivity."