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"FUNNY BUSINESS"
June 2008
That’s funny…….
interesting and significant !
There exists an important and consistent variable in the attainment
and maintenance of high productivity, stable staff composition,
customer satisfaction and client retention.
Refreshingly, it need not involve large outlays of capital,
investments in infrastructure and systems or the support of
expensive incentives.
It is difficult to quantify and is not evident in entity debit
and credit registers. However, believe me, it’s impact
on market worth, image and competitive advantage is substantial.
The contribution to the price : equity value is infinitesimal.
Moreover, management and marketing departments are relieved
of the need to authorise and script promotional texts and advertisements
which declare that the entity is an employer of choice. This
variable is declaration enough.
Many job descriptions and job specifications are lacking, because
they do not address this attractive and valuable ideal.
Sadly, in the current volatile marketplace with the pressures
of time constraints, stress and competitive forces, its presence
is less conspicuous and falls short of being considered ubiquitous
. The deficiency is palpable.
You may well have consciously or subconsciously noted the shortcomings
in so many business, political and life settings. However, few
find themselves able to verbalise the inadequacy.
FUN is like that. It counters negatives, overcomes impediments,
creates focus, sustains motivation and fulfils the insatiable
need of all stakeholders.
It is not hard work. It overcomes and makes light of hard work.
Conflicts are typically cancelled because of fun. Group cohesion
is enhanced and sustained by it.
There is no suggestion that one should not take business and
the pursuit of excellence, quality, trust and integrity seriously.
However, it is often good for all to not take yourself too seriously.
Laugh. Have fun.
THE STEPS FORWARD
MEETINGS
An initial step to inculcate fun as an integral part of the
business is to call a meeting or series of meetings to enable
people to express their perceptions of the essential culture
of the entity and the degree to which fun is part of its character.
Team members usually are a bountiful pool of fresh and refreshing
ideas on how best to reintroduce, increase and sustain fun.
COMMUNICATIONS
Human beings are social creatures. They have an infinite need
to interact. What is increasingly lacking in much of contemporary
communication is the word personal.
Interoffice emails and some text messages should be minimised
and personal contact encouraged.
Technology is best applied when it complements, not replaces,
people and people contact.
TIME
Our time-poor society and typical lean business entities impinge
on the relief which is introduced by the fun of interacting
with people. It’s not easy and is easy to overlook. However,
there is an importance and multiple returns from the provision
of regular, periodic and spontaneous “time-outs”
for team members to enjoy the fun of rotating duties and focus.
INFORMALITY
In 1983 Tom Peters and Bob Waterman Jnr released their international
best selling book “In Search of Excellence”.
It was significant that many of the corporations that were identified
to be excellent, tolerated and indeed, encouraged informal structures
called “skunkworks”. These typically breached many
traditional rules and conventions. Members of these skunkworks
enjoyed the informality, fun and self generated energy which
evolved.
Core values were respected, but standard practices were at all
times subjected to questioning.
CELEBRATE
Daily, countless milestones are achieved, not recognised nor
celebrated.
Ask elite sportspeople where they derive most fun in their individual
pursuits. The focus tends to be in “PB’s”
(personal best), premierships and gold medals.
These symbols and tokens make all the hard work and sacrifices
worthwhile. Life in the fast lane of business is no different.
Therefore, we need to create and revere our heroes. It’s
fun!
INVOLVE
Connecting with internal and external customers is an imperative
for business success in the contemporary business environment.
Networking has been developed to an artform, with countless
hours dedicated to expanding the spheres of influence of team
members.
Nothing facilitates and expedites better the establishment and
maintenance of mutually rewarding relationships than an environment
in which fun is a key element.
Therefore, specific focus should be developed to include and
embrace associates, suppliers and clients – the pursuit
of having fun in business.
UNWRITTEN DIMENSIONS
The introduction and pursuit of fun does not impact on corporate
visions, missions, policies, practices or job descriptions.
It does, however, add immeasurable value.
Predictably, some people will dismiss the contention because
of heavy workloads and a lack of time. Much of that can and
is overcome by a change of thinking, which precedes a change
of doing. It is a case of :-
THINK IT,
DO IT
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