The Art of the "Call to Meeting"

Ah, the infamous "call to meeting." It’s the phrase that can strike fear into the hearts of employees everywhere. You hear it, your stomach drops, and suddenly, you’re questioning every single decision you’ve made at work since 2015. But fear not, my friends! In this blog post, we’ll navigate the treacherous waters of office meetings and how to make them more delightful (or at least bearable).

What Even Is a "Call to Meeting"?

First off, let’s clarify what a call to meeting is. It’s basically an invitation to gather everyone in one place—whether physically or virtually—to discuss something. It could be about the new coffee machine (which, by the way, better be a good one), or it could be to discuss the latest quarterly numbers (yawn). Regardless, the aim is to inform, debate, or solve problems. Think of it as a modern-day gladiatorial arena, but with more PowerPoint presentations and less blood.

Types of Calls to Meeting: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

1. The Informative Meeting: This one is straightforward. Someone has information to share, and they call a meeting to disseminate it. Kind of like your mom calling you down for dinner, except instead of delicious food, you're served a platter of boring statistics.

2. The Brainstorming Session: A call to meeting that brings everyone together for creative juices to flow. It's a bit like a potluck but with ideas instead of food. Pro tip: Bring donuts. They work wonders on fostering creativity.

3. The Status Update: You know, the meeting where everyone updates everyone else on what they’ve been doing? It’s like a group therapy session for work, minus the cozy chairs and tissues.

4. The ‘We Need to Talk’ Meeting: Uh-oh. This is the one that sends chills down your spine. Usually called by your boss, this meeting is where you figure out if you still have a job or if you need to update your resume. Yikes!

How to Make Calls to Meeting More Fun

Now, let’s spice things up. Here are some tips:

• Theme It Up: Why not have a Hawaiian shirt day? Everyone shows up in a floral shirt, and suddenly, discussing project timelines becomes a beach party.
• Use Fun Polls: Create polls during your calls. “What’s your favorite pizza topping?” instantly transforms the meeting atmosphere. (Pineapple lovers beware!)
• Have Icebreakers: Start with a quick game or fun question. "If you were an animal, what would you be?" Spoiler: No one will say a sloth.

Conclusion: The Call to Meeting Doesn’t Have to suck

So, whether you dread the next call to meeting or secretly love them for the free snacks, remember that you have the power to make them enjoyable. With a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of humor, you can make sure everyone leaves the meeting room (or Zoom call) a little happier than when they entered. Now go forth and conquer those calls to meeting like a pro!

Happy meeting, folks!

— Olivia Parker,
Blog Writer, antiland Team