A round coffee table is an ideal solution for use at informal meetings. Similar to King Arthur's round table of the Knights of Camelot, such coffee ta...
A round coffee table is an ideal solution for use at informal meetings. Similar to King Arthur's round table of the Knights of Camelot, such coffee tables enable you to de-emphasize rank amongst the meeting participants. As a result, you are able to promote brainstorming amongst colleagues, hash out new strategies and ideas over lunch. With a round table, you are able to allow interaction among the meeting participants, be they employees or business partners. This is different from the set up of a formal meeting which is typically centered on a square or rectangular table reserved for a speaker speaking to a group, as opposed to promoting conversation amongst the people and having a good time.
The type of table you select for a social event should be able to bring focus to the right group of people. The rule of thumb is therefore to select square or rectangular tables for formal meetings, and round tables for the more informal gatherings. An informal meeting around such a table is able to enjoy an informal social period that allows members and guests to mingle and get acquainted with one another. Meeting participants are therefore able to break the ice and have stimulating conversation while sharing a meal around this type of table. A round coffee table allows for the discussion of various topics.
A round coffee table allows groups or teams to sit down and discuss an issue, share opinions, tactics, strategies, creation, outcomes assessment, maintenance or just to brainstorm. This way, meeting participants are encouraged to put forth any ideas, no matter what they may be. Such a seating arrangement encourages participants to also be honest and direct with the other people seated around the table, and also show mutual respect for their opinions. Such tables are especially ideal for informal meetings, arising due to the presence of multiple perspectives on a single issue. Hence the statement "We need to have a round-table discussion".
A round cocktail table is great for enabling effective communication within a small group of people. During informal meetings held around such tables, participants are able to learn both socially and academically. Such tables are therefore popular amongst groups that focus on single subjects such as educational endeavors, self-help or hobbies. Such tables encourage cooperation as they are typically a long-term type of small group discussion - and cooperation is vital to the success of such a group. For self-help scenarios in particular, a round table would encourage group participation which is also integral to the success of such a meeting.
Participants at a round table informal meeting are more likely to feel more comfortable seated side by side, as this facilitates better communication and conversation. The symbolic nature of the round table that is often missed is the fact that this table has no beginning and no end. As such, meetings held around such a table have no head of the table, in a manner of speaking, which means that everybody's input should be regarded as equal. In short, at a round coffee table informal meeting, everyone has a say.
