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Everyone recognises a bad meeting when they've been in one but what are the key factors that go into making a great meeting. We've been talking to a number of clients about having productive meetings and training events and have all agreed that the immediate environment as you walk into a meeting has a dramatic effect on how the rest of the meeting proceeds.
In a recent New Scientist magazine Philips Lighting highlight some research onto the impact of lighting on behaviour and learning in classrooms suggesting that reading speed could be increased by nearly 35% with appropriate lighting. And in another study restless pupils were helped to settle with the use of 'Calm' lighting.
So what can you do to help people in your meetings or training events concentrate better, get more involved or work faster. You may not have control over the types of lightbulbs that are used but there are lots of things you can control that all have a strong effect on the people attending.
In our Dungeon to Delight session we get people to consider what they can do to improve the sights and sounds for people as they walk in the room. They also consider what they can change in the physical environment to encourage constructive feelings, thoughts and actions.
These are some of the things people have suggested:
Visual:
Display pictures/ images of what's to be discussed in order to focus minds.
Open curtains or blinds fully to bring in as much natural light as possible - people feel unconsciously threatened in dim lighting. Even if you're using slides modern projectors can easily project in full daylight.
Auditory:
Play uplifting music as people arrive, at a volume that still allows them to talk but it takes away what many feel to be an uncomfortable silence.
With larger groups use a small bell to call people to attention rather than having to shout over everyone.
Physical environment
A bunch of flowers or a pot plant costs very little but makes a huge difference to the ambience of a room.
Set the chairs up in small groups rather than rows to encourage interaction and conversation.
Have relevant resources on a table in the room so people can browse whilst they wait for the meeting to start - it beats talking about last nights TV and focuses attention.
For even more ideas about creating a great environment talk to us about running Dungeon to Delight where you'll get to find even more solutions that will work for you.
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