Meetings with a Difference – Fun!

Australian business people spend millions of hours in meetings each year. Are we accomplishing the results to justify this investment of time?

Fun can be the catalyst for an effective meeting. Used appropriately, fun and humour can relieve meeting tedium and level the hierarchical playing field to create an atmosphere that encourages honest dialogue, risk taking and the sharing of ideas. Make the most of your meetings by making them more effective. Challenge yourself to incorporate several new ideas into the design of your next meeting.

• Adults learn and retain information best through interaction and involvement.

• Individuals process information best when you can stimulate their senses.

Take advantage of these special opportunities every time you gather by giving your colleagues something to look at, something to listen to and something to do. Enliven your meetings and presentations with a sense of humour and fun and find out how productive and creative your co-workers can be.

Example:

• An Arthur Anderson office has changed their weekly meetings into half-hour "coffee talks" in their own space. The challenge is to find a creative way to share information in a short amount of time. For example, the production group wanted to let everyone know about changes in roles and responsibilities taking place within their department. They prepared a skit, dressed up and presented a talk show format with Sally Jessy Rapheal as the hostess. Food is available most of the time, which encourages participation. Everyone looks forward to these meetings!

Reference: 301 ways to have fun at work – Dave Hemsath & Leslie Yerkes