2016年11月14日 星期一

“People like people. Sometimes”

Not long ago, Meeting Association MPI held its annual EMEC Conference, this year in delightful Kracow, Poland. I had the rare opportunity there to conduct a session under the title “The Meeting Lab”. It involved a number of experiments about the behaviours of meeting participants and how to influence these behaviours. The experiments were real, so we had no idea what the outcomes would be. Session participants kindly acted as guinea pigs (if any of the participants read this blog: thanks for being a sport!). There was actually one participant with a weak spot for guinea pigs, so she had the unique chance to feel like her favourite pet for a while – but this is beside the point.

不久前,會議協會 MPI 在怡人的波蘭克拉克夫市舉辦了年度 EMEC 會議。我剛好有個難得的機會,主持了一場單元,主題是「會議實驗室」。會議中談到了幾種實驗,探討與會者的行爲,以及影響這些行為的方法。這些都是真正的實驗,當時沒人知道結果會如何。此單元的與會者好心擔任實驗白老鼠(如果您有機會讀到這篇部落格:在此感謝您當時的熱心參與)。而且剛好有個與會者特別喜歡天竺鼠,這次有機會扮演自己最喜歡的寵物,實在難得不過我有點離題了。


In one experiment, I wanted to test whether it was possible to influence feelings of benevolence participants would feel towards one another. This is roughly how it went. Together with co-presenter Chema Gomes Merino, we made two random groups, without any particular introduction. Group 1 sat in theatre style and for five minutes listened to a presentation, defining altruism. Group 2 went to the other side of the room and for the same amount of time did a simple physical exercise. They performed it rhythmically and all at the same time.

在一項實驗中,我想測試我們是否有可能影響與會者對彼此的好感。大致進行的方法如下:我和我的共同主持人馬利諾(Chema Gomes Merino)在沒有做什麼特別介紹的情況下,將與會者隨機分組。第一組以劇院式坐著,聆聽五分鐘關於利他主義的演講;而第二組被分配到另一個房間,做五分鐘的簡單體操,全部的人跟著同樣的節奏與時間運動。


「group exercise」的圖片搜尋結果

photo credit: the will power method 


At the end they all answered this question: “How close are other people to you?” They independently expressed the feeling they had in that moment, on a scale from 1-10, where 1 represented not close at all and 10 very close. The average score for Group 1 was 6.2 while Group 2 produced a score of 7.8.
Although we didn’t perform the experiment according to rigid scientific and statistical criteria, this is still a striking difference! And even if we are not entirely sure whether it is a statistically significant outcome, it is still worthwhile to think of a tentative conclusion.

結束後,每個人都要回答一個問題:你覺得你和其他人有多親近?大家各自作答,以1分到10分表述當時感受— 1分代表非常疏遠,10 分代表非常親近。第一組的平均分數為 6.2 分,而第二組則是 7.8 分。雖然這個實驗沒有嚴格的科學和統計標準,但這樣的差別還是相當引人注目!就算不確定這個結果是否有統計意義,還是值得我們深思,暫時做個結論。


Neuroscience research suggests that people who take part in rhythmic group activities, such as line-dancing and Tai Chi, produce more oxytocin than those under “control” circumstances. Oxytocin is a hormone that is considered a stimulant for so-called pro-social behaviour. In words that my auntie Mary would understand, it helps people to like each other. So, if in meetings you want to align participants and help them to achieve shared outcomes, it may be a good idea to offer them an hour of rhythmic, physical group exercises. If only people weren’t so hung up about formalities, they could try this at the next peace conference for some regional conflict…
神經科學研究表明,若人們投入一個有動感節奏的集體活動,像土風舞、打太極,會比那些處在「控制」環境中的人們產生更多的催產素(Oxytocin)。催產素是一種荷爾蒙,有助產生所謂的親社會行為。用大嬸也瞭解的白話文來說,這個激素有助人們相互產生好感。因此,在會議中,若你想要引導與會者,幫助他們達到共同目標,可以讓他們進行一個小時有節奏的、起來動一動的活動。要不是有些人過度拘謹,下一次想要解決區域衝突,召開和平會議時應該試試這招....


Of course it remains to be seen whether the effect really translates into more benevolent behaviour of real meeting participants. That sounds like a fascinating experiment to try during a next conference somewhere! Any meeting organiser out there willing to try??

對於真實會議的與會者來說,這種方法在產生友善行為是否有幫助,還有待實際觀察。感覺應該在下次的某個會議裡實驗看看!哪位會議人要試試?


2016年9月20日 星期二

What was that you said? | 你剛說什麼?

At times straightforward and up-front, at others modest and demure; sometimes distant and aloof, but on occasion flashy and flamboyant. As a designer of meetings, I listen to the messages expressed by buildings. What buildings say is important because it influences the behaviours of meeting participants. And in turn, those behaviours can make meetings more or less successful.

有時簡單直接,有時莊重拘謹,有時若即若離,有時浮華張揚。作為會議設計師(Meeting Designer),我會聆聽建築物所傳達出的訊息。建築物的訊息很是重要,是因為它影響與會者的行為。反過來,這些行為將影響會議的成功與否。


Let’s take a powerful building, the Palace of the Doge in Venice, for instance. When stepping inside the vast Council Room, people instantly change what they were doing before: they slow down, lower their voices, take their children by the hand – like when you enter a church, although the ceiling is that high. Very clearly, certain things are not done in there: children don’t run across the Council Room and it’s not the place for a passionate French-kissing session with your lover. Why not? What makes us so aware of what is appropriate and what is not?


讓我們用威尼斯的總督宮為例,一座本身就很有力量的建築物。當一踏入廣闊的安理會房間裡,人們便會立即改變他們的動作:慢下來,降低聲音,用手拉著孩子;就像進入教堂一樣,雖然天花板那麼高。很明顯的,在這個房間中有些事情是不能做的,像是:孩子不會跑來跑去,不是適合與情人來一場法式熱吻的地方。 為什麼呢?是什麼讓我們暗自決定什麼適合、什麼不適合呢?

Palace of Doge, Venice

I don’t know the exact mechanism but without any doubt it is connected to our receptiveness to the signals we pick up from our surroundings. In our heads, these signals are directly forwarded to a kind of toggle for acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. For my work I am not so much interested in understanding the mechanism in detail but rather in the phenomenon as such.

我不知道確切的腦部運作機制,但毫無疑問它連接到我們對應周圍環境的信號。這些信號被直接轉發到一個腦中的某機關,用以決定可接受和不可接受的行為。對我的工作來說,我並不需要了解詳細的運作機制,但這樣的現象對會議設計師是很有趣且可以運用的。


The point is that virtually all meetings are held in buildings and it is my experience that buildings speak to people. Not only to people who are willing to listen, but to everyone. What they say is called the Venue Message. Usually, the building invites you to do something; it exudes an assignment. The message sounds like a sentence taken from a theatre dialogue and you, the visitor, respond to the signal, to the stimulus. Without consciously noticing it. Thus, the Council Room in the Palace of the Doge in Venice says: “be humble in the sight of the wealth I have gathered in many centuries!” Anybody with half a bit of common sense simply “gets” that message and literally incorporates it with due respect.


關鍵是,幾乎所有的會議都在建築物內舉行,就我的經驗,建築的確跟人說話。它不僅對那些願意聆聽的人說話,它說話的對象是所有的與會者。這就被稱為場地訊息 (Venue Message)。一般情況下,建築物會請你做一些事情它會發出一個任務的訊息。這個訊息就像戲劇的對話,而你,作為參觀者,會對此信號做出回應,在無意識的情況下就會發生了。因此,總督宮裡的安理會房間正在說:「保持謙卑!在視力所及的範圍內,盡是我幾世紀以來獲取的財富!」任何人只要有半點常識就能獲取此信號,並真的給予應有的尊重。


And due respect and French-kissing don’t go together.


而此尊重與法式熱吻並不相容。




2016年4月8日 星期五

Refreshment does more than refreshing | 茶敘時間不只是茶敘而已

Last time, we have talked about FOOD and BEVERAGE in a conference. Further down, many are wondering about the refreshment during break time. Yes, it plays a critical role especially it is "Refreshment". Here are some ideas for your meeting break.

BEVERAGE
In morning session, Hot Coffee and Tea are the best sellers! Hot caffeine drink can wake up participants and give a soft social medium for them before meeting begins.
Saturday Coffee - Amigos, fotos, e cafés. Quer companhia melhor pra iniciar uma tarde?!:          The Downton Abbey effect ~ the old-school ritual of hot tea no matter what the season.
jadorejcrew.tumblr.com                                         miraquechulo.wordpress.com

Water must be offered without saying because dehydration can lead to fatigue. However, in Western society, iced water is highly recommended. On the other hand, in some Asian countries, warm water is preferred.
Lemon, Ginger and Basil Iced Tea for Detox | Paleo Grubs:

Juice is also welcome, especially in afternoon session. But remember to keep fresh and cold. No one wants it to go bad when it is usually ready in advance and sits quite long during break. So, to prepare sufficient ice is the key!
 

No alcohol drinks for sure, unless you aim to make fun with the group.
 

SNACKS
Similar to Food arrangement, as healthy and environmental issue being high concern nowadays, the dietary preference has to take into consideration. The right snacks can make participants recharged, energized and focused during long-day meetings. Wide variety is also important; to give a big feast to eyes in colors and kinds will also help. At the same time, do not feed them up whether there is a big dinner or not, because people easily get logy from eating too much.

Fruit is a perfect choice. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber that would keep people feel full longer. Plus, it is safe regardless of allergy or dietary constraints. But in the same manner with juice, keep it fresh and cold.

Nuts is another healthy choice but make a clear sign for allergy sake.
 An easy recipe for mixed nuts flavored with rosemary, brown sugar, maple syrup, sea salt and cayenne pepper.:

Sandwiches in finger-food size, cracker with cheese, veggie bar, etc. are all good options to enrich your refreshment bar.

Serve turkey and pesto between puff pastry for a mini sandwich that's the perfect combination of adorable and scrumptious.:    As hard as you tried to avoid it, you were put on the list for veggie tray. Well bring your veggie tray with a bang, and put the vegetables in their own cups with ranch. Not only is the portion size great, but keeping the dressing separate keeps it from getting on other food.   
countryliving.com                                                    learningliftoff.com


WHAT's MORE?
Speaking to break time, drinks and snacks come to mind immediately. But back to the basic, why should we have break during meetings? The initial purpose is to REFRESH participants from still position in serious topics. Therefore, it can be more than refreshments.

       

For many companies, tight schedule to fill in everything is always an issue even though they know the significance of team building / motivation / team work. No time and no budget for it! In fact, you can benefit from break time to have refreshment and team activity simultaneously.

How? Asia Concentrate Corporation has the total solution for you. Contact our event designer at service@asiaconcentrate.com!


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