Event agency Top Banana invited around 20 clients and members of the Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC) to its Stourbridge offices for an instructive session on how latest developments in neuroscience help event planners make the most of their live events and communications.

Guest speakers Dr Ann Terry of management consultancy company Engaging Solutions and Dr Connie Wiskin of training and role-play company Impromptu Ltd highlighted how the brain responds differently to messages delivered in different ways and demonstrated the power of role play in live events. The session also showcased newly emerging technology in 3D PowerPoint and video.

The speakers told attendees of the SCARF method, which they said results in the best response to events – S for Status (how can you ensure that people have a sense of knowing that you think their needs are important?); C for Certainty (what is it you can be clear on?); A for Autonomy (what opportunities can you create to promote people’s involvement in how things will be implemented?); R for Relatedness (what opportunities can you use to increase the sense of connection?), and F for Fairness (what could you do to increase the sense of fairness?)

Lesley Allman, director of IoIC’s Central Region, said: “We run IoIC events so that communicators can learn new things, meet like-minded professionals and share best practice. This event did all three. It was great to learn more about how our brains work and that knowledge can definitely be applied to internal communication.”

Nick Terry, Top Banana’s managing director, added: “It was good to meet so many IoIC members and to welcome some of our own clients to the event, too. I’m constantly amazed by how our brains work, and I’ll be sharing the best bits with clients to help them get even more out of their live events.”

Pictured: Dr Ann Terry, Engaging Solutions