Modern vs traditional meetings

In today’s tech-driven world, meetings have been reinvented to take advantage of the innovative new formats available.

One thing will never change, however: they will always remain a vital communication tool, no matter what the industry or how big the organisation.

Recent statistics reveal the average worker spends 37% of their time in meetings, so it’s important to get the content, style and structure right to ensure no one is wasting their time. If you’re wondering how modern meetings vs traditional meetings compare, read on to decide which is best for you.

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Traditional meetings

A traditional business meeting has the attendees sitting in a room, typically around a table, in a generally unassigned seating arrangement. Some delegates are likely to have a recognised task, such as the chairperson or minute-taker.

This type of meeting can continue to be effective, as it has been for decades, with attendees discussing the agenda or goal and also making decisions and choosing workable solutions.

Face-to-face will always offer a human element that 100% virtual meetings lack. Meeting in person builds rapport and establishes a foundation for a close professional relationship. However, modern meetings are all about using the best traditional elements and enhancing them with everything the latest technology has to offer. Research shows 92% of attendees value meetings because they offer an opportunity to contribute in person, leading to greater job satisfaction.

Happy employees are more productive, so when a meeting leads to people feeling more valued, this is a massive plus point. Hosting a productive and enjoyable meeting means enhancing all that a traditional meeting offers with the appropriate technology to create an even better overall experience.

Modern meetings

Organising a traditional meeting means you’re missing out on the many advantages modern meetings can offer. While the benefits largely relate to technological advances, it’s worth remembering that the actual meeting room layout can also benefit those present.

Managers today should be reconsidering how we meet, in order to complement changing management styles and business strategies. Meeting rooms are a vital part of every business, but only if they are productive and efficient. The design, arrangement and type of furniture, lighting, conferencing equipment and room decor all have an important function.

While there’s nothing wrong with sitting around a rectangular boardroom table, modern and aesthetically designed conference and meeting rooms can make all the difference. Spaces designed according to their purpose, to match the different sizes of groups or the bespoke layout needed, will enhance the efficiency of the meeting.

Scale down or up the meeting space, depending on the requirements. The days of packing 20 attendees around an average-size boardroom desk should be long gone! Having too many people present can hamper the meeting room experience. The room and furniture layout should also be designed for maximum comfort.

It isn’t conducive to a productive environment if people are shuffling around and feel uncomfortable on solid chairs. The height of the table, lighting and ventilation should also be geared towards comfort. If the discussions continue for a relatively long time, attendees need to feel comfortable in order to maintain their concentration.

Technology for modern meetings

In today’s busy office environment, every minute counts, so meetings can benefit from using services such as audio and video conferencing, which helps employees to manage their time effectively – remote workers, or those from other regions, can attend a meeting without having to be there in person.

In a hybrid meeting, where people are meeting in person, or through audio and video conferencing, employees and stakeholders can offer input and join in the conversation, without a major disruption to their working day.

When video-conferencing, remote employees no longer need to take time out to travel to a central office. Screens enable you to communicate with several employees at the same time, across different regions and time zones. You are able to unite your team and replace the need for excessive business travel, saving on expenses and leaving more time for working.

A recent survey revealed that 25% of meetings today have at least one video participant from another location. As remote and contract workers now make up around 40% of the UK workforce; to enjoy future success, businesses and their employees must organise meetings that integrate both physical and digital technology.

Minute-taking

In the past, a minute-taker was an integral part of the meeting, taking notes in shorthand of the proceedings, typing them up after the meeting and emailing them to those present as a record of events. Today, some businesses even video-record meetings for a completely accurate record of the event.

This became more prevalent during the coronavirus lockdowns when more people were working from home and organising Zoom meetings. It captures team interaction and brainstorming sessions. During video meetings, teams can use a digital whiteboard to visualise ideas. Video recordings can also save training sessions for future use.

Regardless of the industry you’re in, meetings are an important part of the working day. When comparing modern vs traditional meetings, it can be preferable to take something from each world.

When you book a meeting room through &Meetings, our venues are perfect for both modern and traditional meeting methods. With the latest technology and a choice of seating arrangements, you can customise your meeting experience to suit your personal requirements. We can also cover the catering!

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