To say that 2020 and 2021 were eventful years would be an understatement. Although COVID-19 was making headlines and was continually top of mind for us all, business still needed to get done—somehow. And it did in abundance, with creative solutions that worked immediately and for the long term. Working remotely, for instance, became a way of life, which led to a plethora of virtual meetings.
The face-to-face connection
While working remotely has its advantages, it comes with its own brand of challenges—like the desire for connection and to chat, touch base, and mingle with coworkers “face to face.” That h
as inevitably led to longer and more frequent meetings. Yet back-to-back virtual meetings simply don’t create a feeling of community or culture. Conversely, they can be draining and non-productive. And during these unsettling times, the last thing you want is extra meetings that can add to stress, which can lead to burnout.
Are meetings doing more harm than good?
Recently, Otter.ai commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct an online survey from August 19-23, 2021 among 1,018 employed American adults ages 18 and older. The purpose was to learn how people feel returning to work, and how we can better manage our energy and time when calendars are packed.
Otter.ai also partnered with Zoë Aston, psychotherapist and author of “Your Mental Health Workout: A 5 Week Program to a Healthier, Happier Mind” to discover how back-to-back meetings affect people and what leaders can do to empower and energize teams. The poll results were not surprising:
Zoë Aston couldn’t agree more, adding, “Change is healthy but can be overwhelming and draining. Sitting on one video call after another often depletes your energy.”
How to navigate the new waters
Clearly, virtual meetings are essential for business. Fortunately, there’s a lot that can be done to make them more productive and enjoyable.
How to lower meeting frequency and length
As for in-office meetings and collaboration, there’s also plenty you can do to encourage productive conversation and connections.
Miller’s can help you connect at work.
Thinking about configuring your space, but not sure what goes where? Miller’s helps make easy work of a comfortable, “connectable” workplace—with the services and products you need to reimagine your office.
Our Space Planning Services can help you rethink and adjust the layout and traffic patterns of the spaces where your employees convene or power down. Speak to us about a consultation and we’ll collaborate with you to create a space that’s not only comfortable but also enhances productivity and connection.
Our team can also help you choose the right furniture for the right spaces, so your employees can naturally connect in breakrooms, lounges and meeting areas—without a scheduled meeting.
Workers feel especially welcome and valued when they can take a break and touch base with peers over their favorite snacks and drinks—like personalized coffees and teas, fruit juices, sodas, candy, cookies, nuts, pretzels, chips, and beef jerky. Of course, you want to show your employees that hygiene counts. Safety and health comes first with our touchless breakroom solutions.
Miller’s has a 51-year tradition of helping businesses create productive workspaces. We’re at your service to help make your space comfortable, productive, and a great place to meet and connect—online and off.
Sources:
–Otter.ai blog post, “Why It's Important to Rethink How to Manage your Energy—and Your Meetings,” 10/6/21, https://blog.otter.ai/back-to-work/
–Bob Kirkbride / The Business of Furniture, “How the Industry Can Capitalize on Meeting Madness,” 1/5/22, https://bellowpress.com/LatestBoF
–JLL Technologies, “The Case for Increasing the Footprint of Collaboration Space in the Office,” 3/24/21, https://www.jllt.com/blog/the-case-for-increasing-the-footprint-of-collaboration-space-in-the-office/
–Bluescape, “5 Tips to Creating a Collaborative Space.” 1/16/18, https://www.bluescape.com/blog/5-rules-on-creating-collaborative-coworking-space/