Meeting catering: An overlooked factor in effective meetings
When we think of effective meetings, it’s often the more obvious factors that come to mind. It could be a well-structured agenda, a skilled facilitator or a good presentation technique. But one factor that is often overlooked is the meeting catering. However, it’s an important part of the meeting as it can have a huge impact on the effectiveness of the meeting and the engagement of the participants. Meeting catering isn’t just about satisfying the hunger of meeting attendees. It’s also about creating a comfortable and productive atmosphere where participants can focus on the purpose of the meeting. A survey by Aramark shows that 90% of meeting attendees believe that good catering is important for a successful meeting. That’s why it’s important to take meeting catering seriously and not just see it as a side effect of the meeting.
How to turn food into a meeting booster
To turn food into a meeting enhancer, it’s important to think about both quality and variety. It’s important to offer healthy and nutritious options that can give attendees the energy they need to be focused and productive. This could be fresh fruit, vegetable bars or protein-rich snacks such as nuts or hummus. It’s also important to take into account any allergies or dietary preferences of meeting attendees. By offering a selection of vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options, you show care for your attendees and ensure that everyone can enjoy the food.
The impact of meeting catering on productivity and engagement
Good meeting catering can have a big impact on meeting productivity and attendee engagement. When participants are hungry or unhappy with the food, it can lead to inattention and lack of focus. This can result in a less effective meeting where important decisions are not made and goals are not achieved. On the other hand, tasty and nutritious food can boost attendees’ energy and mood. This can lead to a more positive and productive atmosphere where participants are more engaged and willing to contribute to the meeting. A study by Caterwings shows that 71% of meeting attendees feel more motivated and productive when they are well catered.
Tips for creating successful meeting catering
To create successful meeting catering, it’s important to consider the purpose of the meeting and the participants. Here are some tips to ensure good meeting catering: 1. Plan well in advance: Make sure you book your catering well in advance so you have time to accommodate any allergies or dietary preferences. 2. Choose healthy and nutritious options: Avoid heavy and unhealthy meals that can lead to drowsiness and lack of focus. Instead, choose fresh and healthy options that can give participants the energy they need. 3. Think variety: Make sure to offer a wide range of options so there is something for everyone. This can also help keep participants engaged and interested. 4. Make it an experience: Think outside the box and make meeting catering an experience. It could be a cooking session, a tasting of local specialties or a themed menu.
How to implement the use of MyDesk’s Outlook addin to book meeting catering for your meetings
An easy way to ensure good meeting catering is to use the MyDesk Outlook add-in. This tool makes it possible to order meeting catering directly from the Outlook calendar. This saves time and makes it easy to customize the catering to the needs of the meeting. To implement the use of the MyDesk outlook addin for your meetings, first download and install the addin. Then you can add catering to your meeting invitations by selecting "MyDesk" in the Outlook calendar and choosing the desired catering. You can also add any allergies or dietary preferences to ensure that all participants can enjoy the catering. In this way, you can easily and conveniently ensure good meeting catering that can help boost your meetings and create a more productive and engaged atmosphere.
Conclusion
Meeting catering is an important factor in effective meetings that is often overlooked. Good meeting catering can turn food into a meeting enhancer and have a huge impact on productivity and engagement. By considering quality, variety and attendee needs, you can create successful meeting catering. And with the use of the MyDesk outlook addin, you can easily and conveniently ensure great catering for your meetings. So the next time you plan a meeting, remember to take meeting catering seriously and make it part of your strategy for an effective meeting.
