How to create an innovative meeting room space
An innovative meeting room space is the place where your visions are brought into a reality.
A meeting room space is where products are born, brand identity is shaped, vital decisions are made, and your company culture is brought to life. As an entrepreneur or small business start-up you have goals and visions for your business. When you finally get your team together, you need to have that special place where you can brain-storm and get all the creative juices flowing nicely.
Here are some ideas to take your meeting rooms from a boring uncreative space into a vibrant space:
Arrange the seating in a circle or a U-shape
One of the simplest, and possibly the most powerful thing, which is often taken for granted, is to to maximise eye contact and to put everyone on a level playing field. What people don’t realise is that when you set up a meeting room in a classroom style, or with rows behind each other, it can lead to power plays or tune-outs during discussion. Try and set up your meeting space so it is more like a gathering around a campfire, rather than sitting in a boardroom. Here are some fun exercises you can try out at your next meeting.
What will everyone be sitting on?
Whether it is hard-back, straight chairs, soft couches, rolling chairs, bean bags, and pillows, whatever you choose, make sure it is suited for the meeting you want to hold. Another great tip is to get participants to stand up and do some brief exercises during the meeting so that they do not “grow roots” and get tired during the meeting or brainstorming session.
Have some “fiddle factor” objects in the room
While some people think their best while doodling on a piece of paper, some people come up with their best ideas while fidgeting with an object. Why you do you think the fidget spinner was so successful when it came to market? After a few minutes of playing around with the objects, even the highest powered, linear thinkers tend to get distracted enough that their best and most interesting ideas begin to surface.
Make the room feel open and spacious
Let natural light in where possible, it will not only support you physically, but it helps prevent fatigue and keep those ideas flowing. You wouldn’t think being able to see the outside world would help you focus on important business matters, but it makes a different in the ability to think big and be open-minded to new suggestions and ideas.
Remove all distractions from the room
We know each day is full of notifications of new messages, IMs, Emails and phone calls in your office – but you need to switch these all off to get things done! One of the most effective ways that we have found for this to be done is to get out of your office completely and to find a meeting room somewhere else, collect the cell phones or set them to vibrate / on silent. In exchange for distraction-free time, give your meeting participants a few specific breaks throughout the day when they can go back and check on other business matters
Great space doesn’t have to be a big investment Let’s face it, one reason teams work “at home base” is to save money, and if you incorporate some of the recommendations here you will increase the likelihood of success even on home turf.
If you are looking for a meeting room that will suit your needs, why not book a meeting room with us at Nairobi Garage.
