Whether you’re planning a meeting, arranging training, or simply communicating 1-2-1, embrace these ideas to maximise your use of a room. Observe how people and productivity benefit!

1. Let there be light

Using full spectrum light reduces stress, improves behaviour, enhances performance and has a positive effect on well-being. Choose natural daylight and chuck out the un-natural!

2. Keep the air fresh

Choose a room with windows you can open, and if it’s not warm enough for them to be open all hours, open them for a few minutes every half-hour.
      
3. Watch the space

Ignore what planners tell you is the optimum space for your event – go large for comfort and flexibility. Use different parts of the room to encourage interaction and improve memory.

4. Go outside

Weather permitting, use an outdoor space as an extension of your room. This is a great way to achieve points 1,2 or 3, if you can’t do it indoors.

5. Free yourself of furniture

Have the minimum number of chairs you need, put easy to move tables round the walls (not in the centre), and if you’re the trainer/facilitator, make sure you’re centre stage – not a table/ projector!

6. Avoid noisy neighbours

Whether it’s to tune out pneumatic drills outside, or chattering colleagues within, choose a quiet space to encourage everyone to think.

7. Keep refreshed

The body is approx 70% water, which transports nutrients to the brain. Plentiful supplies of fresh clean water are essential for concentration and alertness – expensive bottled alternatives aren’t!

8. Food for thought

To fuel our brains, we need 1-2 tsp of good glucose in the bloodstream at all times. Provide high quality, slow release foods, in moderation – fruits, vegetables, fish/ poultry/ cheese or vegan/ vegetarian alternatives, nuts, pulses, grains, beans, etc. – and wholefoods rather than refined.

9. Stimulate the senses

Have colourful (themed?) displays on the walls, play a little unobtrusive music, encourage regular movement, scented pens and flowers are welcoming, provide brain friendly snacks for nibbles.

10. Structure the event

Have a colourful agenda, menu, programme, timetable, contents, outline, recipe – whatever your plan is called – and put that on the walls too. This will encourage whole-brain thinking.

11. Challenge the word ‘can’t’!

Do what you can, including challenging ‘it can’t be done here’ beliefs; be cool about what really can’t be done; and then be productive in your re-invigorated room!