With the sun shining brightly in a cloudless blue sky, there is nothing quite like a hot summer’s day to boost happiness and make us feel on top of the world.
Whilst we all love the hot weather, we have to admit when we’re huddled in an office or meeting space all day, hot weather can be energy-zapping and draining. Fortunately, there are certain steps we can take to eradicate the counter-productivity of working when it’s hot outside, prepare business meeting rooms for the hot weather, and to keep meetings productive.
Here are our top tips on staying productive in meetings during hot weather...
1. Hire a business meeting room with air conditioning
Air conditioning can be a saviour when we’re cooked up indoors on a hot summer’s day and none more so than in a meeting. Being too hot can result in our productivity decreasing and us being unable to concentrate and work to our optimum. One statistic reveals that when the air temperature exceeds 24 degrees Celsius, productivity drops by 15% or more. Air conditioning regulates the temperature of the room, keeping it at a cool, ‘workable’ level.
With the British weather being notoriously unpredictable, great fluctuations in heat typically occur. Having air conditioning installed in offices and business meeting rooms creates a consistent temperature, as well as better air quality - both of which are conducive with promoting productivity.
Consequently, when you find a meeting room to potentially host a meeting, one feature you should check before committing is that it has fully controllable air conditioning, like the meeting rooms at Carrwood Park.
2. Let there be light
Long daylight hours are a great feature of our beloved British summer. If you’re hosting a meeting, this lengthy daylight should be exploited. According to one study, exposure to daylight is consistently linked to higher concentration levels.
“Employees can boost productivity by 7.1% annually by improving indoor air quality, increasing daylight and controlling office temperatures,” concluded a study by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
Subsequently, it can be beneficial to productivity levels to find a meeting room that has windows to ensure the summer daylight filters into the room and helps keep productivity levels up.
3. Get the timing right
While our colleagues in Spain are taking a siesta to avoid the sizzling midday heat, here in Britain with our typically cooler weather we prefer to work through, whatever the temperature. During summer, however, it is worthwhile thinking about the timing of a meeting and how it could affect its productivity. Mornings tend to be cooler than later on in the day. At around noon it starts getting hotter and the hottest part of a typical summer’s day is mid-afternoon.
Whether you’re hosting a small face to face meeting or a larger conference-style meeting, it could be a wise choice to hold the meeting in the morning to help maximise productivity on a hot day.
4. Take regular breaks
As energy levels can be zapped more quickly in the heat, it is more important than ever to plan in and take regular breaks throughout the course of the meeting. As Bupa informs:
“Rest breaks can improve your productivity and performance, as well as your concentration levels, alertness and how fast you work.”
Whether it’s 121 meeting or a large meeting with over 50 attendees, regular breaks should be encouraged in order to maintain alertness, energy and productivity levels during a meeting. If you are pressed for time, even short comfort breaks to make a drink or use the bathroom can help to boost attentiveness and creativity.
In order to ensure regular and convenient breaks occur during a meeting, when finding a meeting room, it is a good idea to book a venue that has break out space. For example, the meeting rooms at Carrwood Park have break out spaces, allowing guests to take breaks with convenience and ultimately keep energy levels and productivity up throughout the meeting.
5. Always provide water
The amount of water we drink is intrinsicaly linked to how our brain functions. As almost 70% of our body is composed of water, every function of our body is dependent on it, and no more so than the brain. As Water Benefits Health writes:
“Lack of water to the brain can cause numerous symptoms including problems with focus, memory brain fatigue and brain fog.”
To help ensure everybody stays focused, alert, attentive and ultimately productive during a meeting, it is important that delegates can easily access limitless water throughout the course of the meeting, particularly during hot weather.
To ensure important details such as catering and having fresh water available during the meeting are met, it’s a good idea to hire a business meeting room that comes with dedicated housekeepers and caterers, like those available when you hire meeting room space at Carrwood Park.
Read more about other small changes that will make a big difference to your meetings.
If you are looking to book a meeting room in Leeds, look no further than Carrwood Park. We offer outstanding meeting rooms for hire, conveniently located on the outskirts of Leeds. Our light, luxurious and well-equipped meeting rooms are designed to boost productivity and ensure optimum effectiveness, even when the sun is shining brightly outside.
Book business meeting rooms (Leeds) today by contacting Carrwood Park.
