The phrase represents scenarios where a meeting, often perceived as inefficient or unnecessary, could have been adequately addressed through a simple email exchange. It highlights the potential for wasted time and resources when collaborative efforts are misdirected towards synchronous communication methods when asynchronous options are more suitable. A project status update meeting where each member briefly reiterates pre-submitted information exemplifies such a case.
The significance lies in promoting efficient communication strategies within organizations. Recognizing situations fitting this description allows for optimized workflows, reduced meeting fatigue, and improved overall productivity. Historically, the rise of digital communication tools has made the overuse of meetings a noticeable inefficiency, driving the adoption of alternative communication approaches, with email as a primary substitute for certain types of interactions.