I thought I was going to get a bit upset after reading the title of this article, after all you are a management-zine and not a religious site! However I needn’t have worried. It was about organisations where staff value and have respect for each other among other things of a ‘making work meaningful’ nature. There are some tips in the article such as the ‘huddles’ mentioned as a way that ASDA (the second biggest retailer in the UK) communicate within teams in the workplace. We have something similar in our workplace where every Friday morning at 9.00am everyone in the department gets together, sometimes there is a formal presentation, more often than not there is a quick five minute update from the most senior person around followed by a question and answer session. Sometimes we don’t even have this. The reason why most people come is the tea/coffee and breakfast pastries and the chance to chat to colleagues who they don’t work with. Personally I look forward to it, it legitimises communication across the department and creates a nice working atmosphere. The breakfast is important as it kind of indirectly creates a time limit on the huddle – and gives a reason to go. The breakfast doesn’t cost the company very much but it certainly makes me feel valued!
It would have been nice to have other ideas in the article explained in a ‘how to’ kind of way so that we could try them out in our own places. Perhaps some of your readers have tried other things?
I was pleased to see the article on Brainstorming in the November issue of MEX Online. I’ve often attended so called brainstorming sessions where only the so called ‘doable’ solutions were noted. There was no attempt to do any analysis with the resulting data. So it’s nice to see how it could be done to add value to the business and value everyone’s ideas however outrageous! I like the idea of having a more conducive environment to brainstorm in – I’ve always hated meeting rooms with lots of tables getting in the way type of place, wouldn’t it be nice to have a ‘living room’ type environment with sofas and comfortable chairs where you could be more relaxed! I’ve forwarded the article to a few of my friends and colleagues and my manager. I don’t know whether we’ll get the ‘creative’ space but it’s my new year's wish for 2007!
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