As schoolchildren, we’re often taught not to doodle in class as it implies unproductiveness, inattentiveness and goofing off. We’re instructed to listen to our teacher, take notes and focus. Usually, the same rules apply to business meetings.  However, recently corporations have actually started encouraging doodling during meetings to engage their employees.

For most companies, a meeting consists of a conference call or lecture combined with a PowerPoint presentation. Although this is an effective means of communication for some, others prefer visual learning that is interactive. In fact, studies have shown that doodling is an effective retention tool and also has proven to spark ideas and increase creativity and employee engagement.

In a recent article from The Wall Street Journal, Doodling for Dollars, companies examine the importance of engaging employees through visual concepts. Zappos, Turner, Facebook and even Microsoft look to doodling and 3D visuals as a way of communicating without the distraction of a digital device. They recommend Post-it notes, cartoon drawings, a huge dry-erase wall and even acting out skits to visually communicate and fuel collaboration. There are even companies, such as IdeaPaint Inc., that turn ordinary walls or windows into dry erase boards.

It’s important to remember to be creative and to have fun in order to engage your employees. Sometimes using interactive tactics such as doodling to communicate is necessary to increase creativity, employee productivity and engagement.

To read more about this concept and to see more great examples of how to use art to communicate with your employees, visit http://on.wsj.com/JHvFjd.

And if you need help implementing a customized employee engagement program, contact Kara@tribeinc.com and we’ll be happy to help!