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Nikita Kutafiev
Nikita Kutafiev

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Call Commands That Cut Filler Talk (Without Killing Flow)

#productivity #chrome #saas #devtools

Calls sprawl when transitions are fuzzy. You don’t need to be harsh; you need fast controls that keep momentum and protect outcomes.

The problem with “We’ll get to it”

  • Topics run long because nobody sees the clock.
  • Low-priority items steal time from decision items.
  • Wraps start late, so handoffs slip.

Try this: Decide up front how many segments you’ll actually cover-and stick to it.

Quick actions that save minutes

In Minute Minder, the guided flow gives you simple meeting controls that keep segments on rails. You can emulate the same pattern with your agenda if you prefer-but having visible time + soft nudges makes it effortless.

Start / Skip / +2m

  • Start: begin the segment-timer moves with you.
  • Skip: park a low-priority segment if time is tight.
  • +2m: extend once if you’re close to done.

Try this: Allow one +2m per segment, max.

Halftime & “Decision time”

  • Halftime cue forces a summarize/pivot moment.
  • Decision time (near the end) prompts “approve / assign / date.”

Wrap (2-minute close)

Lock in owner + due date at T-2. Say it out loud, then paste into chat.

(Prefer plain language? Add “Wrap in 2” to your agenda and let Minute Minder nudge you at the right moment.)

Scenarios you can run today

Sales discovery (30 min)

  • Rapport (3) → Discovery (15) → Next steps (10) → Wrap (2)
  • Halftime inside discovery to pivot to priorities.
  • Hit +2m once if you’re seconds from clarity; otherwise Skip and protect next steps.

Design crit (45 min)

  • 3 artifacts × Presenter (3) → Critique (6) → Actions (2)
  • If a key stakeholder is absent, Skip a round and re-slot it later.

Retro (25 min)

  • Wins (5) → Blockers (10) → Actions (8) → Wrap (2)
  • “Decision time” at T-5 ensures names and dates appear before the clock hits red.

Put your calls on rails-kindly

Add Minute Minder to Google Meet to combine visible time, gentle cues, and simple controls. You’ll cut filler talk without cutting people off-and you’ll end with decisions instead of drift.

Get Free Chrome Extension: https://minuteminder.io/

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