Are Meeting Rooms a Waste of Space?
Every business holds meetings: they’re a vital forum for sharing ideas, collaborating, and planning.
However, the changing face of workplace design and business culture has begun to affect people’s perception of the meeting itself. At its core, it’s about coming together as colleagues, making progress, and keeping track of developments.
So, with this in mind, do we need meeting rooms at all?
Advanced Technology = Flexibility
Important discussions can still take place in a space which is more comfortable, relaxed, and spacious than the traditional meeting room. Even visual aids, videos, and other materials can be showcased in the smallest space or public venue, thanks to today’s advanced smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Cloud computing enables you to share files and media with as many or as few colleagues as you like, allowing everyone to prepare for meetings ahead of time from any location. If you’d prefer to host meetings in coffee shops, parks, restaurants, even bars, you can!
No Meeting Room Means More Space
Gathering as many as dozens of people together in one meeting room is rarely a positive situation for anyone.
Even the most spacious conference room easily becomes cramped, stuffy, and somewhat claustrophobic with enough bodies. Think about how much more effectively this area could be used if the meeting room were removed.
You could fit in extra seating and desks. You could add a games area, to help workers unwind and bond when they need a break without going to your breakout space.
If you feel your meeting room is unnecessary, consider the benefits of taking it out.
Invest in Designer Furniture
If you want to keep hosting meetings in your business, be it in a meeting room or breakout space, invest in luxurious designer furniture.
First and foremost, the added comfort will ensure your employees and colleagues feel more relaxed during meetings; this enhances productivity, promoting more sharing of ideas and innovation.
Secondly, you’ll make the prospect of attending meetings more appealing, resulting in bigger turnouts and willingness to get involved.
An additional benefit is the stylish design of such high-end furniture: any visitors who attend meetings in your office will be more impressed with ergonomic chairs than standard mass-produced pieces.
Allow Employees to Choose Meeting Venues
If you decide to host meetings off-site, consider holding the venue to a vote.
One week, employees might want to hang out and chat at a Starbucks. Another, they may suggest a session at a local pizzeria, or heading to a bar for lunch.
By alternating venues, you can prevent meetings from becoming stagnant or dull, and combine discussing business with valuable bonding time. You’ll also let employees take control, which is good for boosting morale and making them feel valued.
At Crossford, we manufacture luxurious designer furniture for the modern workplace, providing businesses with high-end comfort. Our expert craftsmanship ensures every piece is unique, comfortable, and immensely stylish; we combine form and function to only the highest standards.
Revolutionize your meetings with any of our business furniture – contact our team for more details.