Icebreaker questions for business meetings are slightly more formal and less intrusive to the employees' personal life. The purpose is to tie a team closer together in order to facilitate the joint effort of several members starting or finishing a project. As each person gets to know the other person’s strengths, likes and hobbies, whoever has the task of delegating will find it easier to do so.
Before the Meeting
Choose a good meeting place. Depending on the size of the group and the meeting type, meeting places may range from a company’s conference room, coffee shops to hotel meeting rooms. In addition, rather than jotting down a few notes here and there on what to discuss, be more organized by making an outline and agenda sheet. It shows more professionalism and compels others to act similarly. While planning the schedule, leave enough time in the beginning for icebreakers.
Icebreaker Activities
Conduct a mini speed networking session if the group has 10 to 15 members and consists of people who don’t know each other. Set up a rectangular table with five chairs on each side. Set the timer so that each pair will have one or two minutes to get to know one another. Provide a sample of questions they can ask. When the time is up, make only one row scoot one seat to the right or left so that everyone gets a chance to meet the whole team. The person on one edge will move to the other edge.
For a smaller group or as an alternative to the speed networking exercise, pair people up and give them a maximum of five minutes to extract as much relevant information as they can from each other. After the time is up, each pair should introduce the other person to the whole group.
Icebreaker Questions for Business Meetings
The following questions are possible icebreaker questions that can be asked in the above activities.
- What kind of sports or activities do you enjoy?
- What kind of books do you enjoy?
- What type of magazines do you like reading?
- What did you study in college?
- What was your favorite traveling experience?
- What are your favorite hobbies?
- What is your favorite Michael Jackson song?
- Tell me something unique about yourself.
- What is your passion?
- Describe yourself in three words.
- If you had to relate yourself to a turtle, rabbit, tiger or bear, which one would it be and why?
- How did you find out about the company and what do you do?
- What are some of your short term or long term goals?
- What skills do you admire in others?
- What are some of your pet peeves?
Icebreaker questions for business meetings can be more effective when used with specific activities like the ones above. It’s not only fun, but it also engages the brain, promotes unity and helps people remember one another better since everyone’s involvement and participation are required.
Further Reading:
Icebreaker Questions for Informal Meetings
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