Sometimes, despite your best efforts, meetings can become just plain dull. While most teams in business deal with serious issues such as sales, finance, marketing, products, services, and customers, adding a little fun can make it all go better.

In the end there is a serious purpose to fun. Since we know that people do their best work in an atmosphere that is informal and relaxed, it is important that we do what we can to facilitate the creation and maintenance of a positive climate. Studies show that when people are relaxed, the net result is more creative solutions, thoughtful decisions, and innovative ideas. The key is to make the activity short and easy-to-understand.

So, what can we do to spice up our meetings? Here are some possibilities:

1. Fun Food. Not all food is fun, but when you surprise people with snacks, for example, that are new or unexpected, it can encourage conversation. How about asking members of the team to bring in something that is representative of their culture, or simply their favorite recipe?

2. Introductions. Any simple activity that helps people get to know each other better helps establish a more positive climate. For example, ask team members to share their favorite vacation.

3. Games. A simple, but playful game can get people working together (not against each other) in a way that is fun for all. One easy activity that I have used involves giving the team a list of famous quotes (e.g., “Success is getting up one more time than you fall”) and asking the team to decide which quote best represents our team (or our customers or industry).

4. Toys. Small items such as soft squeeze balls, Nerf balls or noise makers are great to give people to play with at the beginning of a meeting. You make it interactive by tossing a ball to the next person on the agenda, or to someone you want to get involved in the discussion.