Meetings remain Public Enemy No. 1 for most employees. One of the main reasons? The dull factor. But no one will be able to accuse you of holding a dull meeting if you try one of these strategies.
Granted, some of them are rather dramatic, but the folks who’ve tried them swear they’ve spiced things up — and even have some employees looking forward to their meetings now.
Take a look and see which of these strategies you might be able to tap to make Finance’s next sit down more memorable (and more productive):
- Take a seat … away. Or rather take all of them away. Holding a meeting in a chair-free room may put some people off at first. But you’ll certainly grab participants’ attention. And you won’t be tempted to let the meeting run on and on.
- Go for a stroll. Caveat: A meeting on the move works if you only need to touch base with a handful of people (and don’t require a laptop or other technology to support it). But it can be extremely effective. People’s ideas often flow better when their blood is pumping. And with spring finally here, the weather is likely more cooperative.
- Indulge in an unexpected (and healthy) snack. Of course almost any food will get folks’ attention. But one IT manager swears by a bit more of a statement: a bunch of carrots, stems on. The reason? Not only will it make participants do a double take, but B vitamins found in these veggies help maintain energy levels and concentration.
- Make it child’s play. When a meeting becomes too quiet or the topic a bit uncomfortable, one exec breaks out the Play Doh. Not only does that relieve the tension, but the physical creativity often unlocks some mental creativity that moves the meeting along.
- Water guns. It’s easy for meetings to turn negative or into gripe-fests. One good-natured way to do that: hand out water guns. At the first hint that someone is trying to squash another participant’s ideas and it’s ready, aim, fire!
- When all else fails, light something on fire. The office manager of a veterinary office shook things up a bit by giving folks something to remember. She had the local fire department start a demo fire in the parking lot to show everyone how to use a fire extinguisher properly. An important safety lesson, yet completely unexpected. Next month, they’re having the fire department start a demo fire in our parking lot to show everyone how to use a fire extinguisher.
Have you had any success livening up a meeting? Share what worked here.
giving folks something to remember. She had the local fire department start a demo fire in the parking lot to show everyone how to use a fire extinguisher properly. An important safety lesson, yet completely unexpected.
