What Your Boardroom Table Says about Your Office
>> Nov 16, 2015
Whilst
we all know that boardroom tables are an essential part of any office – this is, after all, where many
of the big decisions regarding the business are discussed and made – have you
ever considered what kind of message it is sending about your workplace? The
table dictates seating placement, which can actually change the mood of the
meeting you’re hosting. In this article, we have outlined the three main shapes
and their purposes:
Rectangle
This
is the classic boardroom table shape. It conveys hierarchy, as those seated at
the head(s) can see everyone else, whereas those seated along the sides must
change their position according to who is talking. Increasing the length of the
table actually increases the power distance between those on the sides and
those on the ends; an unequal width to length ratio can sometimes reflect the
unequal power that the head has over the rest.
Whilst
a rectangular shape is often the simplest choice, it will convey quite a lot
about your business’ structure and attitude towards collaboration. This does
not, however, make it a bad choice and it can be employed quite effectively.
U-Shaped
This
kind of table offers two distinct advantages. Firstly, it sacrifices a large
portion of the surface area and seating in order to bring the focus to the open
side. This design is particularly useful during presentations, video
conferences and product demonstrations (to name a few). A presenter is able to
walk directly up to a viewer and speak directly to them or hand out materials.
Secondly,
the efficiency of the space and surface area can actually give the room a more
productive feel. The chairs placed around these tables are usually quite
comfortable. It represents a conscious choice, by the business, to use their
space efficiently and to bring information to the forefront of the meeting.
Attendants are, subconsciously, aware of this and, therefore, contribute more.
Round
These
sorts of boardroom tables can actually be a little off-putting when you see one
for the first time. They do offer a number of drawbacks, including: a lack of
personal surface area (for notepads, etc); difficulty talking if too large or
uncomfortably intimate if too small; and presenters can find it difficult to
offer those seated across and beside them the same experience. For all its
faults, however, this shape does have one redeeming quality – equality.
You
will find that round tables are perfect for collaborative work environments,
peer criticism meetings and even consumer interactions. Everyone will begin to
view each other as equals as opposed to adversaries.
Take
a moment to think about the boardroom table that currently resides in your
office’s meeting space – what shape is it? Then, take a moment to think about
the kind of mood and attitude you wish to convey to your employees and visitors
– does the table help or hinder this achievement? If you feel that a different
shape would best represent the interests of your business, perhaps it’s time
that you did a little research and took a shopping trip.
1 komentar:
My previous office has all the shapes you have mentioned and they have all served their purpose. But I like the U shaped ones. Have a great week ahead!
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