Five Tips for Productive, Enjoyable Meetings
Effective meetings that are perceived as productive and enjoyable begin this success in the planning stages. Selecting a venue, determining the best seating arrangement, ensuring audio-visual equipment is reserved and set up, arranging the food and beverage component, and meeting each of your client’s specific needs are all crucial to ensuring a great meeting that is productive for the company and enjoyed by the participants.
But, your work as a meeting planner cannot stop here. Whether or not managing the meeting logistics is where your responsibilities officially end, there are several additional steps you can take to make sure folks remember that the meeting you planned was effective and fun.
Here are five tips for good meetings that you can implement yourself or suggest to your client:
1. Formulate a clear agenda and distribute it, along with background materials, to participants prior to the meeting.
2. Begin the meeting with an icebreaker or fun activity.
3. Use various types of delivery to disseminate information, such as PowerPoint presentations, speakers and videos.
4. Use guest speakers to allow your attendees to hear from a variety of folks, rather than the same few managers.
5. Schedule in breaks to keep energy and attention at optimal levels.
