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When
we run an off-site meeting, we typically position a variety of objects
on the table such as: Silly Putty®, Nerf® balls, puzzles,
etc. There are several reasons for this:
Creativity:
Stimulating the senses increases creativity.
It is difficult to foster innovation in a typical meeting room,
which is devoid of any stimulus. In addition, the best ideas often
happen when we are not immediately focused on the problem we are
trying to solve. Toys can provide a productive diversion.
Fidget
Proofing:
Look around a typical meeting room and you
will observe people fidgeting. Interesting objects on the table
provide a necessary outlet for this energy.
Stress
Reduction:
Silly Putty® is by far our most popular
meeting toy. As stress levels increase we notice meeting participants
aggressively kneading (and needing) their Silly Putty®.
Increased
Listening:
While waiting to interrupt someone, toys
provide a useful diversion.
Meeting
Differentiation:
Managers and executives spend most of their
working hours in meetings, which tend to blend together in one’s
memory after a while. Toys on the table make the meeting stand out
in the participants mind.
Fun:
In the book Control Theory, psychiatrist
William Glasser, M.D. explains that fun is one of five basic human
needs. Injecting some fun into the meeting will increase esprit
de corps and help meetings run more smoothly.
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© 2001-2003, Beacon Hill Technologies. All rights reserved.
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