8 Innovative Ways to Use Breakout Rooms in Meetings

Published by Smart Office


As remote work continues to shape the landscape of business communication, breakout rooms have emerged as a powerful tool in online meetings. These smaller, more focused sessions within a larger virtual gathering can enhance productivity. Here are some innovative ways to leverage breakout rooms for sales and online collaboration.


Online meeting breakout rooms are smaller, separate virtual spaces created within a larger online meeting. They allow participants to split into smaller groups for discussions, brainstorming sessions, training, or other collaborative activities. Breakout rooms can be particularly useful in enhancing engagement and interaction, as they provide a more intimate setting for participants to communicate and work together.

Breakout rooms can be utilized for targeted brainstorming sessions. Divide participants into smaller groups based on specific topics or projects. This focused environment encourages open dialogue and creativity, allowing team members to generate ideas without the pressure of a larger audience. Each group can then present their findings to the main session, fostering cross-pollination of ideas.

Sales teams can benefit greatly from breakout rooms by using them for role-playing exercises. Split the team into pairs or small groups where they can practice sales pitches, handle objections, and simulate client interactions. This hands-on approach not only builds confidence but also enhances skills in a safe and supportive environment. After the role-playing, regroup to discuss lessons learned and provide feedback.

For client-facing meetings, consider using breakout rooms to host workshops. Clients can be split into groups based on their interests or needs, allowing them to engage with specific topics or solutions. This personalized approach can deepen relationships and provide valuable insights into client preferences, ultimately informing your sales strategy.

After presenting new products or initiatives, use breakout rooms for feedback and reflection. Participants can discuss their thoughts in smaller groups, encouraging more candid and constructive feedback. This not only empowers team members to share their insights but also helps leaders gather diverse perspectives that might be overlooked in a larger setting.

In sales, relationships are everything. Breakout rooms can serve as informal networking opportunities where team members can connect and share experiences. Consider setting up “speed networking” sessions where participants rotate through breakout rooms to meet different colleagues. This fosters camaraderie and can lead to fruitful collaborations.

Dedicate breakout rooms to skill-building sessions, where participants can learn specific techniques related to sales, marketing, or product knowledge. Invite experts to lead these sessions, ensuring that team members can gain insights and practical skills that they can apply immediately in their roles.

Create engaging problem-solving challenges that require teams to collaborate and innovate. Breakout rooms can host these challenges, where groups work on real-life business problems or case studies. Afterward, teams can share their solutions with the larger group, encouraging healthy competition and collaborative learning.

Incorporate fun team-building activities in breakout rooms to strengthen relationships and boost morale. Games, quizzes, or icebreaker activities can lighten the mood and foster connections among team members, making the overall meeting more enjoyable and productive.

Follow the practices above to improve client engagement and watch satisfaction rates soar! And check out our other articles for more advice on specific industries and use cases.