The biggest pitfall at a kick-off meeting is a one-way conversation: management talks and everyone else listens. That doesn’t work. People remember more when they’re actively involved.
Incorporate interactive elements into your program: polls and voting rounds, small-group breakout sessions, roundtable discussions with specific tasks, or a Q&A with the management team. Make people feel that their input matters.
Start engaging people even before the kick-off. Send out a teaser, solicit input through a short survey, or have teams prepare an assignment. The more ownership people feel, the greater the impact of your kick-off.
Want to learn more about organizing a kick-off? Read our full article →