We can conduct all the business we want remotely, but there’s nothing like sitting in a well-designed conference room.
The conference room remains a critical component of professional ecosystems. When at the table, management, teams, clients and employees coordinate visions that impact the company. Big or small, Fortune 50 or startup, where you gather and prepare for the future is dynamically affected by the room.
Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc. knows your conference rooms should promote productivity, privacy, professionalism, collaboration, convenience and breath.
If you don’t think your conference rooms do this, it may be time for an upgrade.
Here are 12 ways to upgrade conference spaces that will up your game in every way.
1. Reduce the Noise
Between audio failings and background noise, it’s often a tasking chore to manage a distraction-free meeting. It’s bad enough for in-house meetings, but when you have guests, disruptive sounds give off a bad vibe. Anywhere you gather to talk business in the office should be soundproof.
Speaking of noise…
2. Control the Reverberation
You invested in an exceptional sound system. Top-notch speakers, outstanding mikes, Dolby Atmos and all the other bells and whistles. But you didn’t add the acoustics of the room into the equation.
Reverberation time is the period you need for sound to fade. In the wrong space, sound can linger long enough for other sounds to overlap them. That’s especially true for rooms with lots of reflective objects. This includes glass, large displays and hard ceilings.
You get muddled returns that make it difficult for attendees to hear a call or video conference and sometimes each other. It’s why one side of the room didn’t hear what one corner of the room got with no problem. This glitch can also lead to leakage, where conversations get to other parts of the office.
Any conference room upgrade should increase sound clarity and reduce reverberation. Install reverb-reducing tech that tackles leakage. Put in clever sound panels that customize the conference room. Panels come in designs that pass for photography, prints, logos or graphics.
3. Make It User-friendly
The biggest issue that interrupts most meetings is a failure in tech. Nothing’s more frustrating to attendees than waiting for IT to figure out why the audio’s not working. When it’s time to improve your conference room experience, select components that integrate easily and seamlessly to minimize conflict.
4. Get Up
A solid way to improve your conference room is to incorporate elements that promote well-being and health. Like standing desks, standing conference tables are showing up in more office environments. They address the hazards of prolonged sitting and the implementation improves collaboration, focus and creativity.
Of course, standing through entire meetings may not be feasible. Stools and bar-height chairs are an option.
5. Integration
The days of dragging a projector to the front of the room are long gone. Technology has made presentation an easy production. From what looks like paintings (which are actually screens) to surround sound and tabletop whiteboards, your conference room can be flush with functionality and convenience.
The installation amps positivity and productivity. But make sure you integrate tech that minimizes clutter. Cords and power strips give off a sloppy appearance.
Speaking of which…
6. Wireless Is the Way to Go
Wi-fi has too many options to continue using cables. Cables and cords disrupt that clean, spacious look you want. Also, with the broad array of connectivity possibilities, it’s a task to accommodate all your connections with wires and adapters and cables. Wireless connectivity saves time. It facilitates a fast and simplified flow of information and eliminates the possibility of a loose connection.
7. Upgrade the Audio/Video System
Issues with audio and video quality can be a big problem. Your communication system has to be stellar. With today’s tech, good communication is quite affordable. Pro-grade mikes and speakers and hi-def video are so accessible not having them make your operations appear backward.
8. Go Glass
While you want to minimize exterior distraction, we’d never say block out what’s going on around you completely! Glassed-in meeting rooms have a sophisticated and distinctive aesthetic. They create an airy and open space while promoting privacy.
Add smart film to the mix. The solution provides a modern, minimalist impact but maintains privacy. With a single flip of a switch, the glass becomes opaque. On windows, smart film keeps out annoying glare.
9. Interactive Impact
If you want to impress, your conference room must have the goodies. Static whiteboards and slideshows just don’t cut it anymore. There’s an array of analog and digital resources available on single platforms that maximize information exchange. Take advantage of wireless presentation, video conferencing, collaborative whiteboarding, 4K displays, etc.
10. Comfort
What makes a conference stand out is comfort. Comfort encourages productivity. When you’re not comfortable, you’re easily distracted and energy is low.
Think ceiling fans recycling hot air, wobbly tables, poor quality chairs, flickering or broken lights and standing-room-only spaces. Go for table space that provides personal comfort for all attendees. Install sufficient air and heat conditions. Make sure you have adequate seating.
11. Pump Up the Tabletop
When the attendees gather around the conference table, give everyone a tabletop to talk about. Granite has become more than a trend. It’s a go-to for designing impressive conference rooms. Granite is durable, hard, scratch-resistant and, when sealed, impervious to heat, stains and liquids.
12. Keep It Personal
While professionalism and comfort are a priority, do not forget to say something about the business. Use the conference room to promote the brand. The company’s personality — color palettes, logos, etc. — should be part of the design. Avoid being overwhelming. The message should be obvious but subtle.
Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc. knows how to upgrade conference rooms with exemplary tabletops. Our slabs promise to flip any professional space, producing an outstanding appearance. Our in-house teams utilize state-of-the-art technology and digital measuring devices that promise a perfect look and fit every time.
If you want to know how to upgrade your conference table meeting room, reach out to Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc. Find out why Missouri trust us with their surfaces.