New report identifies opportunities to design more innovative meetings for better performance
January 10 2013, CHICAGO: A new guide commissioned by the PCMA Education Foundation uses a collection of behavioural science studies curated by psychologists to determine what can enhance the value of face-to-face experiences for both attendees and planners. The Appliance of Science: 39 Ways to Improve Your Meetings is a collection of insights made possible through a partnership with UK-based performance consultants The Meetology Group.
Grounded in academic research and historical survey data, the guide provides a comprehensive, easy-to-understand list of opportunities that planners can use to re-evaluate the experiences they create. By surveying existing bits of scientific research related to attending and designing meetings, the report delivers insights into how to improve group dynamics and interaction, how to inspire innovation and how to maximise performance at meetings.
“Rather than make assumptions about what matters to attendees and how they can perform better at meetings, this guide give us some groundwork needed to help understand what truly matters to them,” Liz Erikson, Chair, PCMA Education Foundation, says. “This investigation uses leading thinkers from around the academic world to analyse those assumptions and deliver real ideas based on proven concepts of what can lead to more effective meetings and more engaged participants.”
Divided into six categories, The Appliance of Science outlines steps to transform the face-to-face meeting environment.
* Mental – How to harness the value of grumpy attendees, how to train participants memories and four more tips to understand brain performance and how thoughts and emotions affect meeting outcomes.
* Social – Why meetings need more female attendees, why mistakes are positive and four more lessons on interaction, influence and persuasion.
* Space – What temperature at which to set the room, what colours inspire creativity and five more insights into what makes the perfect meeting environment.
* Wired – Computer-based negotiation, mind-reading capabilities and four more predictions for how emerging technologies will shape the future of face-to-face.
* Physical – How to reduce attendee stress, how to overcome jet lag and four more tips to help meeting organisers and their participants sleep, eat and breathe better meetings.
* Bizarre – The importance of doodling, dancing and five more unconventional tips to increase the value of face-to-face interaction.
