After a relaxing December holiday, getting back to business in January often proves to be a jarring experience. Although it's tempting to gently ease back into the swing of things, a few hours of face-time with your team spent collaborating and planning for the year ahead will ensure everyone's on the same page, and aligned with business strategy and goals.
Volkan Vural, General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, recommends giving your team a change of scenery (and yourself a break from organizing) by considering alternative meeting locations other than the office. Here are his top tips for using a conferencing venue to kick-start 2017.
Good planning
The key to a successful workshop is to ensure it's been planned properly. But few people have the time to do this, and let's face it; planning an away-meeting or workshop during the last few days of your precious leave is not ideal. If you use an external venue, a professional team will handle the planning giving you complete peace of mind. On the day you can then spend your time and energy participating in the meeting, instead of coordinating it.
Fewer distractions
Holding meetings off-site not only gives your team a change of scenery, but physically removes them from distractions at the office. Having a dedicated meeting place, free from the demands from other colleagues and the sound of ringing phones, gives you the perfect excuse to focus solely on the task at hand.
A touch of luxury
Let's face it, when returning to work after a leisurely holiday, a little bit of luxury is a very welcome prospect. Treat your team to a meeting room with beautiful views and refreshments on tap. How better to harness your team's genious and creativity, than by providing an environment that's both pleasant and conducive to working in?
Professional edge
No matter how luxurious, an external venue provides a setting that's professional, ensuring you and your team make the necessary mental shift back to business to get the most out of your session. Most reputable conference venues also provide access to the latest audio-visual equipment, and offer excellent high speed wireless internet.
The food!
After the festive season, it's probably a good idea to not overindulge at the office kick-start meeting. But conference food is known to be a treat. Help your colleagues maintain their New Year resolutions and health goals by removing temptation and ordering healthy options. Venues are able to accommodate different menus for healthy lifestyles. For example, the chefs at Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, together with nutritionists, have developed the Brain Food menu – a culinary experience packed with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, selected to improve efficiency and mental speed, the ability to concentrate and to lower stress levels.
Size doesn't matter
Whether you're meeting with a team of four or 164, a reputable conference venue is designed to accommodate a variety of requirements. If you have a large group, bring everyone together in an auditorium. Or split them up into smaller meeting rooms if this better suits your needs. For small to medium sized groups, there are more intimate rooms as well as the option to break away and work outdoors or in the restaurant if a change of scenery is desired. It simply means more freedom in finding space solutions to meet your company's specific business needs.
Better creativity
Creative juices do tend to flow more freely after a good break, but just in case your team needs a little boost, book a venue that offers fun activities such as a foosball table or giant jenga. Team building games are designed to free your creativity and elevate efficiency. Choosing a conference room that has natural light or a view will also help to harness creativity.
Make the most of summer
What better way to ease back into business after your relaxing break than to sit outdoors at a park or pool deck whilst planning your attack on 2017. Getting fresh air not only improves your blood sugar and heart rate but helps you think better and gives you more energy. Inhaling more oxygen also has a direct affect on your serotonin levels which will leave you feeling happier, more refreshed and relaxed. What better way to ensure a smooth transition back to business?
