When your business needs some new ideas or fresh solutions to tricky problems, there’s nothing quite like a brainstorming session to make things happen. When you get all of your team members together in the right environment, and in a creative frame of mind, magic can happen.
But productive brainstorming sessions often aren’t as spontaneous as they may appear. For the best chance of a successful session, you’ll need to plan everything down to the smallest detail. Who to invite, what problem you want to solve, and how you’ll get the conversation started are all important factors to consider. But before you can worry about that, finding the right meeting space for your brainstorm is crucial.
Keep reading for five simple tips on choosing a venue for your next brainstorming session.
Go off-site
The idea of a brainstorming session is to generate a whole lot of new ideas in a short space of time. If that’s going to happen, you need your team members to be able to think creatively and voice any idea, no matter how outlandish it may seem. That’s why, if you want to create the ideal brainstorming environment, you need to move your meeting off-site.
This allows you to take your team out of their normal office environment and routine, and helps get those creative juices flowing. Even holding the brainstorming session in a meeting space just around the corner from your office can make a big difference, so start researching some of the options available near you.
Mix it up
Now it’s time to think about the type of space you want to book. This will be influenced by a number of factors, including everything from your workplace culture to the problem you’re trying to solve in your brainstorming session.
For some businesses, a fairly conventional boardroom setting will do the trick. But in some other circumstances, straying from the norm is the best way to inspire your team. Instead of a boardroom, you might opt for comfortable couches and coffee tables, or maybe even bean bags and cushions.
Mixing it up is a great way to signal to your team that they’re stepping into an environment where you want them to think a little differently. Just make sure the meeting space you book isn’t too distracting, or you’ll run the risk of the session getting off-track.
Location and accessibility
There are also many practical factors to consider when choosing a meeting space for your next brainstorming session. Not only does the venue need to have enough capacity to comfortably seat all your attendees, but it also needs to be easily accessible for all of your team members.
This may mean booking a space within walking distance from your office, one that’s easily accessible via public transport, or one that has ample private parking available on-site. As long as everyone can get there without any hassle, they should arrive in the right frame of mind to put their brains to work.
Facilities and amenities
While we’re talking about all things practical, the best meeting venue will also have all the essential equipment you need to ensure a successful brainstorm. For example, some sort of whiteboard or other central space where all ideas can be recorded is a must, while Wi-Fi and a work table are also important.
Then there are those facilities that won’t play a role in the meeting itself but are nonetheless vital. We’re talking easy access to things like clean bathrooms and coffee-making facilities (or a nearby cafe) so that your session can run smoothly from start to finish.
Be sure to read the fine print closely and find out what amenities any meeting space offers before you make a booking.
Never, ever forget about food and drink
This final tip is crucial but one that is nonetheless overlooked by meeting planners. Before the big day arrives, you’ll need to think about how you’re going to fuel your brainstorming session. Food and refreshments will help keep everyone in a positive state of mind throughout the meeting, so consider how you’re going to keep your team fed and watered.
Ask yourself:
- Does the meeting space have an on-site kitchen where we can make coffee and keep food refrigerated?
- Does the venue offer catering?
- Is the space located near a great local cafe or restaurant which can cater for our meeting?
Once you’ve found your answer, you’ll be well on your way to finding the ideal meeting space for a productive brainstorming session.
Start scouting out meeting spaces for your brainstorming session
The next time you need to get your team together and generate some new ideas, research the wide range of meeting spaces near you and start planning for the perfect brainstorm.
