Personal space has taken on a new meaning since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and proper social distancing has been recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and many other experts to control the spread of the virus. But how can businesses follow these best practices creating safe meeting spaces as they transition back to working in the office?
Returning to the Workplace and In-Person Meetings
As shelter-in-place requirements begin to loosen, companies worldwide are considering how to transition back to the workplace safely. One of the most serious considerations will be how to make changes to conference rooms and meeting spaces.
The importance of face-to-face meetings isn’t lost on business owners. Virtual meetings have been a solution, but the true collaboration on these often falls short.
“Organizations will have a new appreciation for the importance of the office, the critical nature of face-to-face interactions and the ways their workplaces must support employees,” said Forbes contributor and workplace expert Tracy Brower on the expected changes in the workplace.
This in-person interaction builds trust and drives innovation. Meeting spaces are essential to facilitate that, but adjustments will be necessary to ensure social distancing is maintained, touchpoints are minimized, spaces are properly converted, and digital transformation is leveraged to its full potential.
Touchpoints and Confined Spaces
To start, you can reduce proximity by removing chairs from your conference table. But what about all those touchpoints?
Consider all the technology in most meeting spaces—dongles, cables, switches, etc. The best way to reduce these is by using wireless connections, which also means people don’t need to cluster.
Can You Collaborate Six Feet Apart?
Most individuals will need to rewire how they think about collaboration. Moving six feet apart in no way inhibits your ability to communicate. Try doing it as a standing meeting.
Stand up meetings have several benefits—attendees will likely be more concise, leading to more meaningful meetings in less time. There are also associated health benefits from standing versus sitting.
These types of gatherings will likely work better in larger spaces rather than a designated conference room. You can repurpose areas that are open and use a wall-mounted screen and wireless display to show visuals and agendas and keep discussions focused.
Digital Signage Is a Powerful Tool for Communication
Conference room digital signage can provide you with a communication channel that enhances the workplace while also providing social distancing advantages. Sharing messages on a display reduces touchpoints and workplace clutter. Admins can quickly and easily connect to displays to quickly update content to improve the office experience. It can also serve as a means to inform and share information with employees about COVID-19 related policies.
Safe Meeting Spaces with ScreenBeam
As your business looks to reimagine its workspaces, time and ease of implementation are driving factors. ScreenBeam provides solutions that are critical for businesses wanting to return to safer and more collaborative offices.
Learn more about our business solutions by requesting a trial.