8 Reasons Why Internal Meetings Matter
We asked the team of event pros at Miller Tanner Associates why internal meetings matter. Our team members share their perspectives on how internal meetings over in-office meetings can be beneficial to the overall health of an organization.
1. Builds Team Morale
There is no better money spent than meeting face-to-face when it comes to being part of a team, whether leading or supporting a company, department, or team. That’s why team meetings are of the utmost importance.
In most companies, the cost is an issue when bringing people together so you have to make the most of the limited time. However, it pays dividends for building team morale, allowing everyone to enjoy celebrating successes together, nurturing a virtual work environment, and driving comradery. The team walks away feeling appreciated, heard, valued, and supported to name a few positive outcomes.
Since we are a 100% virtual company, the entire group doesn’t always get the chance to engage with each other. Even when we do have a few moments between meetings and working on projects, it’s not enough time to really connect with another team member. The workshop gives us that opportunity. We disconnect from our computers and phones and focus on each other. We get to have conversations about our personal lives, laugh, do activities that bring us closer and just hang out. I think that’s incredibly beneficial for our company. – Meredeth Brower, Product Lead
2. Creates a Sense of Purpose
Face-to-face meetings provide a perspective for the team at large as to what the company’s mission and goals are and it serves as an opportunity to share new company information and allow interaction. It’s a great time for employees to have facetime with the executives and to feel valued and celebrated.
These types of meetings also provide opportunities for employees to intermingle among departments or regions and it can help the morale and culture when a company puts their money back into their employees. It creates a great sense of purpose.
3. Nurtures a Strong Company Culture
It might be out of style to invest in company culture or its team, outside of salaries and benefits, but at Miller Tanner Associates (MTA) I believe that creating a strong company culture yields a strong, successful company. Company cultures are built on creating positive, memorable company experiences. After creating 25 annual events for the MTA team, I’ve seen the investment in the MTA team really pay off. – Marnie Miller Battistini, CEO
Miller Tanner sells the idea that gathering and shared experiences equals community and growth. What does it say to our customers if we didn’t practice what we preach? The fact that MTA is a global company and we don’t always have the opportunity to see each other throughout the year is even more reason that we should come together and BE together. Being together, sharing a meal together, or just sitting next to someone while they train you on the newest software is so valuable. It connects us, creates empathy in our roles and makes us a better team to do what we are brought to Miller Tanner to do. There is more to each of us than just the job we do. When we are together, those qualities shine and we can bring them back into our every day work. – Jenny Decker, CMP, Global Experience Manager
4. Offers Tangible and Intangible Experiences
The face-to-face experience offers tangible and intangible experiences. Tangibles are generally captured by industry standards such as training ROI metrics, attendance ratios or other measurements. Intangibles are captured by client cultures or the audience value system.
Values are subjective and harder to measure but are just as valid an outcome as it goes toward addressing the human quotient of any business.
5. Fosters Shared Commonality and Communication
First, the more you know about someone the better you can react to their thoughts, ideas, and moods. It is easy to interact with someone when you have familiarity. Internal meetings help provide that bridge.
Additionally, sage advice says, the more you have in common with someone the easier it is to interact based on that common ground. Shared experiences provide that opportunity to transcend the present moment and bond for the future or laugh over the past.
To me, the MTA Workshop is an invaluable experience that allows our teams and departments to connect, grow and unite as we look towards the future of MTA. It is at the heart and soul of what we do at MTA – provide dynamic experiences. As a Global Company who primarily communicates virtually, the time shared together through experiences or collective conversations (or in this case, on a glacier) is what I most look forward to at the MTA workshop. I love learned about what other departments are working through or celebrating in addition to personally getting to spend time with new team members. – Janina Marsh, Global Experience Designer
6. Determines Goals and Strategy for Success
Internal meetings are critical to establish roles and responsibilities, outline company goals and objectives, identify and build a strategy for a path forward to success, streamline processes, and ensure the right stakeholders are involved in decision-making.
Senior leaders and department heads should value input from their stakeholders and trusted employees, and want to learn from the team too – this is a step in the right direction.
7. Provides Face-to-Face Time with Leadership
It’s an investment in a company and also a reboot to get everyone back on the same page and same goal. Time with executives is important for employees to feel seen and understand their value to the company.
If there are big changes, restructures, new missions, new goals – it is a great time to roll that out, in person, to allow questions and interaction.
8. Actualizes the Company’s Message
Internal meetings are an opportunity to actualize the messaging and value system of a company. For example, at the annual MTA Workshop, one of my agenda items is to show the team my thanks for their hard work and commitment to the MTA brand. It’s where I try to energize everyone for the year to come while recognizing past achievements. Face-to-face meetings address the “humanity” of our workforce and move toward maintaining a strong team. – Marnie Miller Battistini, CEO
Do you need assistance with planning your next internal meeting? The Miller Tanner Team can help you create a more engaging, productive meeting for your internal teams. Contact us today
Frequently Asked Questions
In effort to help readers to summarize the information found within this post, we’ve recapitulated the article in question and answer form.
What are Some Ways to Build Team Morale?
When it comes to being a member of a team, whether leading or assisting a business, department, or coaching, there is no better money spent than meeting face-to-face. That is why team meetings are so crucial. When getting people together in most businesses, money is always a factor, so you have to make the most of the time you have.
How Can I Create a Sense of Purpose within My Organization?
Face-to-face meetings provide everyone on the team a better understanding of the business’s purpose and objectives, as well as a chance to exchange fresh corporate information and better communicate. It’s a wonderful opportunity for workers to meet with leaders and feel appreciated and recognized.
How Can I Build a Stronger Company Culture?
Positive, memorable workplace experiences are the foundation of corporate cultures. A strong corporate culture leads to a strong, successful business.
How are Tangible & Intangible Experiences Created?
Face-to-face interactions provide both concrete and intangible benefits. Industry standards such as training ROI measures, attendance rates, and other measurements are often used to collect tangibles. Client cultures or the audience value system help to capture intangibles.
How Do I Determine Goals & Strategy for Success?
Internal meetings are essential for establishing roles and duties, defining corporate goals and objectives, identifying and developing a plan for success, streamlining procedures, and ensuring that the appropriate stakeholders are engaged in decision-making are all key.
