I'm currently at a conference in Atlanta. The first night ended with two hours of what they called 'speed networking' - eight minutes to have a conversation with someone before a bell rings and you move on to the next person.
I know! It's something that only a business-type could come up with!
So I come into this situation and when the first bell rings you feel the tension straight away. The noise in the hall is deafening. I look to the person sitting across from me and say, "I have a humble suggestion. How would you feel about starting this with a minute of silence?"
After a long day at the conference everyone is tired but after ten of these 'speed networking' sessions and ten minutes of silent contemplation I feel quite fresh and have ten people I feel I connected with and gave the gift of a minute's rest to.
Sometimes the most efficient way to go is to do what is seemingly least efficient - just sit there!