I will admit it right now: I like to small talk, even at work.
Italian meetings are time-stealer nightmares.
So I have developed three simple rules, for my remote work:
- Pretend and provide a meeting Agenda or at least a meaningful subject
- Space out meeting with at least 15 minutes between them, to be able to prepare them
- Try to be very time boxed, and alert when 15 minutes remaining (for Italian guys, 30 minutes :)
If you present, be very clear and ask confirmation, because guys sometimes does not listen to you or play with web browser.
Speak slowly if needed.