The Real Reason Nothing Gets Done at Work

Ever been in a meeting that felt like it would never end? Yeah, me too.In this episode, Rahul and I dive into the wild, weird world of corporate meetings—the ones that drag, the ones that go nowhere, and the ones that somehow still involve chanting mantras. Through a bunch of hilarious roleplays, we bring to life some of the most painfully familiar scenarios from our work lives. From “planning for the planning meeting” to the “customer chant,” nothing’s off the table.If you’ve ever suffered through a 3-hour business planning session or stood through a morning briefing before your coffee, this one’s for you.IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Coming up(00:33) Ever survived a meeting that rhymed? Wait till you hear this.(01:43) The real reason every “short” meeting turns into a time vortex.(05:08) Weekly meetings… with chants? Welcome to Alpha Beta Pipes.(07:55) A hydration hack that might just save your life (or your eyelids).(09:46) What if coping with meetings came with merch and bingo cards?(10:40) The “planning” meeting that doubles as a sleep aid.(14:25) A PowerPoint so long, it circles back to geography class.(17:30) The exotic offsite that no one asked for (but everyone regrets).(21:38) Early morning, no chairs, daily drills—guess which meeting this is.(24:50) “We love the customer like our child” — and that’s not even the weirdest part.(26:43) The absurd meetings you’ve attended? We want to hear them.Rahul PhondkeRahul Phondke has been a prolific writer of humour columns since his childhood days which ended sometime last year. People are still wondering how this happened. He turned to writing humour at an early age in an effort to find some meaning to the angst of life, which he found almost immediately after his first two cans of beer. Based in Singapore, he is extremely sought after by the locals ...unfortunately most of whom happen to be the police. He is an active member on Facebook and can be easily reached...unless he happens to owe you moneyConnect with Rahul at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-phondke-522a17Paddy RangappaPaddy Rangappa has worked in marketing for more than twenty-six years. After over a decade in Procter & Gamble in India, Indonesia, and Singapore, he became vice president, brand development for McDonald’s in Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) and developed strategies to significantly grow breakfast, beverages, and desserts, especially the McCafé brand, across APMEA. Outside work, Paddy is an avid tennis player and a freelance writer. He has also taught Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) to senior undergraduates and MBA students at the Singapore Management University (SMU). He is the author of Been There Bungled That and Spark.Connect with Paddy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paddyrangappa/—-About the ShowThe Jest Business is a podcast that pokes fun at the wild world of corporate speak and boardroom absurdities. Hosted by Paddy Rangappa and Rahul Phondke, it’s where business meets banter—with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humour. From buzzwords to bloopers, we decode jargon, laugh at leadership, and challenge the serious side of success. If you’ve ever sat through a strategy meeting and thought, Wait, what did that mean?—this one’s for you.