Are you getting the results you want from your meetings and training? Sundial Group have shared seven ways in which you can ensure your people are engaged and more productive:

Head Off-Site

Stepping out of the office and heading off-site to hold your team meeting or training can encourage your people to break habits and develop new ways of thinking. A change of scenery can really have a positive impact, allowing employees to become more focused and creative away from everyday distractions. They’re also likely to be more responsive and enthusiastic about being away from their workplace, resulting in higher productivity.

Know What you Want to Achieve

The most important consideration you’ll need to make in preparation for your meeting or training is knowing what you want to achieve and making sure your agenda reflects this and that everyone knows the purpose of the meeting. It may seem obvious but too many meetings don’t follow a proper agenda, resulting in lack of focus and no accountable follow-up. Think about who really needs to be present so you have all the right people in attendance and avoid time wasting for anyone who doesn’t need to be involved.

Mix it Up

People tend to be more creative when they feel relaxed and you can do this by mixing up the meeting slightly. Swap traditional presentations for group discussions, add ice breaker activities and head outside for your brainstorming sessions. There’s also plenty of research that suggests adding music and scent to the meeting space can help to relax and stimulate participants. Adding items like Play-Doh and pipe cleaners to a meeting has also been proven to help aid creativity and improve concentration.

Eat the Right Foods

To optimise concentration levels, you need to ensure your delegates are fuelled with the right foods. Choose a venue that understands the importance of good food and how it impacts productivity. Make sure there are healthy snacks available throughout the day too, such as fruit and nuts – they’ll help keep everyone energised and alert. When it comes to choosing your lunch, get a balance; have a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables to keep your blood sugar levels steady throughout the day. Encourage everyone to drink water throughout the meeting to keep them alert and engaged.

Keep Moving

Whilst the majority of your meeting will no doubt be spent sitting down, ensure there are opportunities for everyone to get up and have regular breaks throughout the day. Simply switching up the room layout later in the day can help boost everyone’s concentration levels. Choose a meeting venue that has outdoor space; nature brings out the best in us and a breath of fresh air is sometimes all you need to think outside the box. Plenty of big thinkers are advocates of walking meetings, in fact, this was Steve Jobs preferred way of having a serious conversation.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Team Building

Arranging a team building event alongside your meeting or training can be really beneficial in boosting morale and motivating your people. The right type of team building activity can also help to improve communication and teamwork, which can be necessary ahead of a new project or after recruiting new employees. Team building can aid this process by strengthening relationships, boosting confidence and allowing managers to unearth hidden talent that will help their business excel.

Follow-up

What’s the point of the meeting if there is no follow-up? Keep a record of all agreed actions and make sure everyone does what they have committed to do. Follow up with an email about what was accomplished and the agreed actions so everyone knows where they stand.

Meetings that are done well are highly valuable to your business, leaving your employees feeling energised and enthusiastic about their work. The right environment, food and structure will play a key role in how successful it is, it’s up to you to take the right steps.