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There's no shortage of digital collaborative software, and while it's important to have these tools in place and at your fingertips, sometimes it's worth going analog to inspire progress and keep an eye on goals. Whether it's wall-mounted or rolling, a whiteboard or tackboard can become a focal point for team collaboration and cohesion, so long as its implementation is calculated, effective, and easy to maintain.

Plan with Purpose

There's a reason why your team is entertaining the idea of a whiteboard-- so what is it? Whether you're tracking progress on a specific project, working through long-term projections, or trying to answer a current problem, there's always a common goal that you're trying to reach. Clearly identify what the light at the end of the tunnel looks like and write it across the top so that it's always in sight.

Follow the Leader

Establish a point person--be it a team lead, a project manager, or an eager teammate--to take responsibility for the board's maintenance and organization. Even though boards are meant to encourage collaboration, group mentality can often lead to the assumption that someone else will take care of things.

What Works Well?

While some organizational methods might come naturally or seem like no-brainers, there's no shortage of blogs, webinars, and articles about new ways to track progress, increase awareness, and improve processes:

  • Go / Slow / Stop - For particular projects, take stock of what's keeping momentum moving, what's causing unexpected resistance, and what roadblocks are taking the task off the rails. Not unlike a turning stoplight, circumstances can change and sometimes adjustments are needed.
  • Ideas / In Progress / Done - Not every goal is quantifiable with numbers and figures. Take a look at the bigger picture and see what can be done to reach those benchmarks, keep everyone informed of current initiatives, and remind one another what has already been tackled.
  • Spring Cleaning - At the end of an era, it's nice to take stock of what went well, what went wrong, and what could be implemented the next time. Ask your team-- what's worth keeping, what's worth working on, and what can be eliminated to reduce bloat?
  • Take the Temperature - Visually represent progress with a bar that's easy to fill in as benchmarks are reached. It worked in elementary school, it worked in high school, and it still works in the workplace.
  • Set Sail - A sailboat retrospective merges realistic perceptions with optimistic projections. If your team is a sailboat, what's the intended destination (goals), anchors (slow-downs), rocks (hard stops), and winds (helpers)?

A Team with a Theme

Who doesn't want to have a little bit of fun alongside function? Just like individuals, teams take on personalities, so choose a fitting favorite and do some arts and crafts. From movies to memes or even a mutually loved TV show, accenting your chosen collaboration style with a little bit of artwork can keep catchup meetings a little lighthearted.

More Materials

Markers are fine and all, but sometimes scribbles aren't quite enough. Especially when working on collaborative activities, coming prepared with Post-It notes makes brainstorming exercises more dynamic and encourages individual contribution from every member. Most whiteboards have a magnetic core, allowing for printed proposals and pictures to be stuck up with a couple of magnets instead of hard-to-pick-away tape.

Take the Time

Daily stand-up meetings always seem like a great idea; who doesn't benefit from a quick touch-base in the early hours of the workday? Of course, over time it becomes easy to say "let's just skip this one," or "can we take care of that next week?" as the regularity of stand-ups falls apart. Be cognizant of those downturns and work through them. Some meetings will take up the whole time, some will run short, but their daily drive is what matters.

 

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Whiteboards: Choosing the Right Dry Erase Board

In recent years, the trend away from chalkboards and toward dry erase boards has gained momentum. You can use whiteboards to supplement meetings and lesson plans in the same way as chalkboards, but they don’t come with the same mess and health hazards associated with chalk dust. What type of whiteboard should you purchase? The answer depends on the purpose the board will serve and your company’s needs. Consider the following factors when selecting your new dry erase board.

What Type of Whiteboard Should I Get?

Melamine or plastic whiteboards can come with a nonmagnetic surface or steel backing that allows it to accept magnets. The primary benefit of melamine is its inexpensive cost, so if you are searching for a budget-friendly dry erase board, melamine is the way to go. Melamine is also lightweight, making it easy to mount and a good choice for home office use.

Porcelain or ceramic whiteboards are more expensive but offer greater durability and resistance to scratches and stains. Like melamine, porcelain boards are easy to write on and often magnetic. Still, because porcelain is less porous than melamine plastic, the surface of your board won’t succumb to what is commonly known as “ghosting.” Ghosting occurs when markers leave stains on your board that an eraser cannot easily wipe off. Although porcelain is more durable and easier to clean than melamine, it is also much heavier, so mounting may require more effort.

Glass whiteboards are the next step up, as they are not porous at all, which prevents unwanted ghosting and staining even more effectively than porcelain. Markers erase easily without smudging, so you can count on smooth, long-lasting use. Additionally, glass marker boards are often frameless, creating a truly eye-catching, modern look. Glass whiteboards can also be magnetic, but they can reflect a double image in poor lighting, which may make them difficult to read in some situations.

What Type of Room Is the Board Being Used in?

What type of room will this board be used in? What will the board’s intended purpose be? If you’re planning on using the whiteboard in a conference room where it will be used not only for writing but as a projection screen as well, be sure to purchase a board with a matte finish. Boards with a high-gloss finish will be difficult for meeting members to read, so invest in a board that will not produce too much glare. 

 

If you’re looking for something to enhance sessions in your training or classroom, then an interactive board may be just the thing. Interactive boards integrate your computer and projector into your whiteboard, creating a learning experience that is more likely to grab and retain attention. 

 

If you’re looking for a whiteboard to keep in your executive office, then an enclosed whiteboard may be more appropriate. Enclosed whiteboards come in cabinet form so that the whiteboard can be closed and concealed when not in use, maintaining a clean, professional look. The sides of an enclosed board are often equipped with additional whiteboard space or corkboard material for posting notes and relevant memos, which can also come in handy for busy executives.

 

Should I Get a Wall-Mounted or Freestanding Whiteboard?

Are you looking for a wall-mounted board that will remain in one room at all times, or do you need a mobile option you can easily transport from one boardroom to the next? 

 

Wall-mounted whiteboards are available in both framed and frameless versions, and framed versions can come with a metal frame or a wood frame that can match your existing furniture. Wall-mounted whiteboards ensure that your dry erase board is always right where you need it to be; however, if you have a more modern office, then you may be in favor of a mobile option. 

 

Mobile whiteboards can be easily taken from one room to the next, so you won’t need to equip every conference room and executive office with its own writing surface. You won’t need to worry about proper mounting, which can include making sure that the board fits your wall and is level. Mobile boards can also be used as partitions and room dividers in offices with more of an open floor plan. Best of all, many mobile boards also adjust in height to accommodate the needs of different users. 

 

When it comes to selecting the right whiteboard for your space, not every office is created equal. Different boards work better for offices, conference rooms, and training rooms, just as different types of chairs work better for reception areas, cubicles, and lounges. Take your budget, purpose, and room of use into consideration before making the decision to go with one marker board or the other.

 

The Complete Guide to Whiteboards & Bulletin Boards

Office boards come in many styles, which means there are many options and narrowing it down can be tough. First, consider what type of room you’ll use the board in and how often you’ll use it. Next, read our comprehensive guide to find the best board for you and your office.

Type 

Whiteboards have a glass, melamine, or porcelain surface meant to be written on with a dry erase marker. You can find whiteboards in any area of the office as they’re ideal for expressing temporary messages to coworkers.

Chalkboards, otherwise known as blackboards, are green or black and meant to be written on with chalk. Although chalkboards were once commonplace, they have been widely replaced by whiteboards over the last several years and are now rarely seen in office settings.

Interactive boards have a touch screen and work with projectors to help meeting facilitators better express their ideas by interacting with graphs and other graphics during presentations.

Presentation boards are wall-mounted cabinets with doors that swing open to reveal a whiteboard and/or corkboard that can be used during meetings but neatly tucked away for a clean look when not in use. Presentation boards are commonly used in private offices.

Bulletin boards are open or enclosed boards with a fabric, vinyl, or cork surface used for pinning up paper and other lightweight items with thumbtacks. Bulletin boards are used in many areas of the office but are especially useful in common areas for announcements.

Announcement boards are enclosed bulletin boards. They typically have a glass door that keeps posted announcements visible while protecting them from theft or damage from the elements in an outdoor setting. The door or doors may be lockable.

Message centers are freestanding multi-bulletin board units that display information on all sides. These are typically seen in common areas, including outdoor spaces where people are expected to approach from all angles.

Map rails are thin strips of cork or fabric material made to run along a wall. These are commonly used in classrooms and hallways for displaying student artwork, learning materials, and, of course, maps.

Directory boards, also called letter boards, are fabric boards with grooves that hold specially made letters. These boards generally help visitors in a lobby find a specific office in a large building.

Construction

Melamine is a plastic material commonly used as a whiteboard surface. Melamine is budget-friendly and lightweight, but this type of surface is more susceptible to staining, ghosting, and denting, so you may need a replacement every few years, depending on how frequently it’s used. Melamine boards often feature a steel backing that makes them magnetic.

Porcelain (or ceramic) is another common whiteboard surface. Although more expensive than melamine, it offers greater durability and resistance to scratches and stains. Like melamine, porcelain boards are easy to write on and often magnetic, but because porcelain is less porous, the surface is less likely to succumb to ghosting.

Glass is not porous at all, which makes it the most durable and most expensive option. Markers erase easily without smudging or ghosting, so these boards should last for many years. Glass markerboards are usually frameless and available in many colors, which gives them a modern appearance most offices desire.

Cork is a lightweight substance obtained from the outer layer of a cork oak tree. This material is often used as the surface on bulletin boards since it easily holds thumbtacks. Plus, cork grows back very quickly, making it a sustainable material.

Rubber behaves similarly to cork but is often preferred due to its eco-friendly design. Rubber is also better at withstanding the outdoor elements and does not support the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria in damp areas.

Fabric is another common bulletin board material. It’s often preferred due to the variety of colors and patterns available. Fabric is often preferred over cork because it better hides pinholes caused by thumbtacks.

Vinyl bulletin boards are weatherproof and easy to clean, making them ideal for outdoor use.

Special Features

Eco-friendly boards are manufactured using recycled materials such as milk jugs and water bottles. It’s common to find eco-friendly outdoor boards since recycled materials are usually weather-resistant.

Enclosed boards have a door, which is usually made of glass and may be lockable. These are ideal for use outdoors where weather resistance is needed and in areas where announcements need to be protected from potential theft.

Mobile boards roll on casters, which are often lockable to keep the board in place while in use. Mobile boards are often used in conference and training rooms with ever-changing layouts and as partitions between workstations.

Reversible boards have a whiteboard surface on both sides or a whiteboard surface on one side and a bulletin board surface on the reverse side.

Outdoor boards are specially made for use outside and constructed using weatherproof materials to withstand even the harshest elements.

Whiteboards That Won't Stain or Ghost

Tired of dry-erase boards that show the stains of every message it's held before? Whether in a classroom or a conference room, whiteboards help relay notes and bring ideas to life. When writing on the board becomes impossible to read due to ghosting, dents, and other damage, messages are lost, and communication falls through. The solution? Glass markerboards.

Stain- and Ghost-Free

Due to their nonporous construction, glass dry-erase boards are not susceptible to staining or ghosting the way melamine and porcelain whiteboards are. Even after a decade of use, you will not find any stains from previous meeting notes or lesson plans on these boards. Most glass boards come in different color options to make them easier to read from a distance, as the glass surface can be reflective, especially under fluorescent lighting.

Durable and Long-Lasting

Because the boards prevent ghosting and other common forms of wear and tear, such as dents and scratches, these markerboards can last for years—much longer than conventional whiteboards. While the cost of glass dry-erase boards is more than traditional melamine options, you'll save more money on glass boards in the long run because you won’t need to replace them nearly as often as those made of other materials that are more easily damaged.

Elegant and Modern

Not only are glass whiteboards durable and easy to clean, but they also give off a sleek, modern look that complements most conference rooms, training rooms, and higher education classrooms. The glass looks sleek and elegant; plus, glass boards are typically frameless, making them look like they are floating on the wall.

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Sam Pekarske

Sam Pekarske is a commercial and creative copywriter, lending a voice to National Business Furniture's products and resources.