No one looks forward to meetings. They’re a necessary evil of the business world, a time-consuming way to ensure everyone is on the same page. But since meetings are a part of work life, you might as well make them as productive and enjoyable as possible.

According to a study, up to 71% of respondents claim that meetings are inefficient and unproductive. This is likely because most executives conduct meetings without any clear purpose or goals. They devolve into an unorganized gripe session where very little gets accomplished.

To make your next meeting more productive and fun, try out one of these five methods:

1. Set a Clear Agenda

The first step to a productive meeting is creating a set agenda that everyone can review beforehand. This should be more than just a list of topics to discuss. Every item on the agenda should have a specific purpose and goal.

For example, if you want to brainstorm ideas for a new product, your agenda might look something like this:

• Brainstorm ideas for a new product
• Discuss the feasibility of each idea
• Choose one idea to pursue

By having a clear agenda, you can keep the meeting focused and on track. You’ll be able to accomplish more in a shorter period. Your employees will also appreciate having a structure to follow.

2. Start and End on Time

If you want your employees to respect your meeting, start and end it on time. This shows that you value their time and are serious about getting work done. If you’re always starting late, they’ll begin to view the meeting as optional and unimportant.

If you’re regularly starting late, try to schedule your meeting for earlier in the day. This will give you a buffer in case anything comes up. You can also try setting a hard start time, where you expect employees to be in the meeting room at the start time, whether or not you’re there.

Don’t forget to give your attendees a few minutes to settle in and get comfortable before you start the meeting. This will help them be more engaged and focused on the discussion.

Ending your meetings on time will give your attendees a sense of accomplishment. They’ll know that they can get their work done and still have time for other things.

If your meetings are regularly going over, try to limit each discussion topic to a certain amount of time. You can use a timer to keep track of time and make sure everyone knows when it’s time to move on.

3. Change Up the Location

There is nothing wrong with holding your meeting in the conference room. But if you want to change things up, try having your meeting in a different location. This will help break up the monotony and make the session more interesting.

If weather permits, hold your meeting outside. You can also try renting a space at a local coffee shop or co-working space. You can even treat your employees to a session at a nice restaurant if you have the budget.

Changing the environment where you hold your meetings can also change the dynamic. This can help encourage more creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

4. Make it Interactive

Make meetings more interactive if you want your employees to stay engaged. This means incorporating activities that require everyone to participate. Thankfully, there are many ways to do this.

One way is to have employees break into small groups to discuss a certain topic. You can then have each group present their findings to the larger group. This will help ensure that everyone will contribute to the discussion.

You can also try incorporating gamification into your meeting. This means using games and competition to increase engagement. You can give employees points for coming up with the best ideas or correctly answering questions. At the end of the meeting, the employee with the most points wins a prize.

The trick is to find an activity that will work for your team. If you’re not sure what will work, try asking your employees for ideas. They’ll be more likely to participate if they get to choose the activity.

5. Consider Hiring Event Planners

When it comes to planning events, many execs try to do it alone. But there are many benefits to hiring professional event planners for corporate meetings.

The pros can help care for all the details, so you can focus on more important things. They can also help you find the perfect venue, choose the right food and drinks, and plan activities that will engage your attendees. The right one will also give you the best ideas to make your event run smoothly.

When you’re ready to take your meeting to the next level, consider hiring an expert. Find one that specializes in planning corporate events and has an excellent record of successfully executing them. Do a bit of research and look for an event planner that has good reviews, takes into consideration your event’s unique needs, and offers concierge services that will wow your attendees.

There is a lot that goes into planning a successful corporate meeting. But if you take the time to do it right, it will be worth it. Your employees will appreciate the effort, and you’ll see a difference in their engagement and productivity. By following the tips above, you’ll be on your way to planning corporate meetings that are fun, interactive, and productive.