Interactivity can have a direct impact on engagement and productivity. Here are 14 reasons to prioritize interactivity in meetings:
- People are more likely to stay focused when actively participating.
- Interactive elements break up monotonous presentations and prevent “Zoom fatigue.”
- When attendees are involved, they contribute more ideas and insights.
- Interactive discussions foster teamwork and make employees feel valued.
- Engaged participants provide better input.
- Real-time feedback helps teams align faster.
- People retain information better when they actively participate.
- Using visual aids, discussions and hands-on activities enhances knowledge retention.
- When meetings are interactive and focused, they tend to be shorter and more productive.
- Attendees leave with clear action points instead of vague takeaways.
- Interactive meetings make employees feel heard and valued.
- Interactivity encourages a more inclusive environment, where even quieter team members contribute.
- Employees are more likely to follow through they have actively discussed action items.
- Higher participation leads to better accountability and execution.
Interactivity measurably improves the bottom line
It all sounds nice, but how much of a difference can interactivity make?
- According to nasstar, 94% of businesses report that video conferencing increases productivity, and 89% of users feel more connected when using video conferencing.
- Pumble says 55% of respondents believe that companies utilizing video conferencing technology promote better collaboration.
- ai says 47% of employees prefer in-person meetings, indicating the value placed on face-to-face interactions for effective communication.
- Research from ft.com indicates 35% of meetings are unproductive, often due to lack of engagement and dominance by certain participants.
So how do you make meetings truly interactive?
It takes a mix of technology (with help from an audiovisual specialist), engagement strategies and facilitation techniques.
1. Use interactive technology
- Tools like Slido, Mentimeter and Poll Everywhere allow real-time input.
- Platforms like Miro, MURAL and Jamboard enable collaborative brainstorming through virtual whiteboards.
- If using Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet, divide attendees into small groups for discussions.
- Encourage attendees to use chat, emojis and reaction buttons for quick feedback.
2. Encourage participation from the start
- Begin with an icebreaker question or a quick round of introductions.
- Ask attendees for their expectations or key topics they want covered.
- Use a show of hands (physically or virtually) to gauge opinions.
3. Make it a two-way conversation
- Instead of long presentations, use interactive discussions or Q&A formats.
- Call on different team members for insights instead of relying on one speaker.
- Encourage the use of “Think-Pair-Share” – ask a question, let them discuss in pairs, and then share with the group.
4. Gamify the meeting
- Use quizzes, challenges or trivia games to reinforce key points.
- Implement a point system or small rewards for participation.
- Use role-playing or scenario-based problem-solving for hands-on learning.
5. Incorporate visuals and multimedia
- Use videos, GIFs or infographics to break up the monotony.
- Share interactive slides (using Google Slides or Prezi, for example) where attendees can contribute.
- Use real-time note-taking on shared documents like Notion or Google Docs.
6. Keep It short and focused
- Use the 25-5 rule – 25 minutes of focused discussion, then a 5-minute break.
- Stick to an agenda with clear action points.
- Rotate meeting facilitators to keep things fresh.
7. Follow Up with actionable takeaways
- Summarize key points and assign tasks live in the meeting.
- Use a shared task manager (like Asana, Trello or ClickUp) to track progress.
- Ask for feedback to improve future meetings.
Audio visual companies like Midwest Audio Visual can get you set up with the right equipment. Contact us anytime to arrange a needs assessment meeting.