Informal meetings in the Professional Workspace

Every Friday at JRMA, Jo and Judith have a Practice Management Meeting. And we hold this meeting whilst walking in Droitwich Lido Park. Why do we do this? Well, why not?

A meeting is basically a conversation. A conversation works as well whilst walking in the park as it does whilst sitting in an office.

We are a small firm with an informal and flexible culture, and we don’t have any bureaucracy, policies or rules that stop us.

Now that we’ve been doing this for a few months, We’d like to share the benefits that we get from these on-the-move al-fresco meetings.

Benefits of informal meetings

Environment

• The fresh air and being amongst nature helps to relieve stress.
• Green and fresh surrounding environments overall improve mood. Or put more simply, we feel happier and enjoy the walking meetings more than the office-based ones.

Health

• The brisk walk introduces movement and exercise into an otherwise sedentary job
• The change of scenery boosts creativity and problem solving.

Productivity

• It is good brain training to rely on memory for the agenda, rather than an overly detailed spreadsheet
• When Jo tells her kids that she had a meeting in the park, they think that this involves playing on the swings and slides, which is a fantasy that we are yet to fulfil, but never say never 😉

Downsides of informal meetings

The only downsides that we have come across are weather related, but as there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing, we might just need to invest in JRMA wellies and waterproofs this coming winter.

One could argue not all meetings are suitable to discuss outside, as you may depend on a screen or spreadsheet. If it doesn't need to be explained through a complicated spreadsheet like Cashflow, and too complex to put into an email, go for a walk!

This blog was written in mind of, Paul Costello. I hope you enjoy our endorsement of fitness and movement, and our approach to incorporating it into the professional world of work.