Quite a few years back, a company owned by the corporate giant General Electrics was trying to figure out how to increase productivity within their business. This subsidiary company assembled electrical components on conveyor belts throughout the factory so there were a number of teams working on the various production stages.
A group of consultants were called in to come up with smart ideas and productivity increasing techniques for the company. They picked out one of the teams, who happened to be all female, and did the first experiment. They increased the lighting in the room where the ladies worked and bingo, productivity increased dramatically.
They then did a series of other experiments, like playing music in the room, adjusting the temperature up and down and changing the working hours of the women on the production line. They noticed a very interesting result – everything they did caused the productivity of the production line to increase, which was kind of baffling.
Afterwards the ladies were interviewed and asked about the experiments. Their response was that this was the first time they had ever been made to feel special, so every bit of attention they got inspired them to work harder and faster. This rather amazing observation has formed the foundation of many major psychological studies that have shaped the face of modern business and human behaviour studies.
Imagine if you applied this to your business?
Who would have thought that simply by showing people attention you could increase productivity? Interestingly enough I can’t help but feel that a lot of the power of this simple observation has been lost in recent years and in many ways, as people become busier and busier, they are becoming more detached and less aware of those around them.
This gives us all a great opportunity to regain that connection and build strong, rich and rewarding relationships with not only our staff but also our customers, our suppliers, our advisors, our family and pretty much everyone else in our lives. All you need to do is give people some attention and make them feel special and of course, do it with sincerity.
Imagine how our shopping habits would change if every business treated us like that?
Are there ways that you could give those around you more attention? Think of the rewards on every level. Sometimes we get so busy doing what we do that we are actually driving away the very things we want more of. For me it is like walking into a business that gets irritated because you have disturbed them. Something has gone very wrong here.
Till next week,
Andrew
PS I was interviewed a week ago by prominent author and entrepreneur, Ben Angel, author of “Sleeping Your Way to the Top in Business”. Ben asked me a series of questions around the topic of – Powerful & Potent Ways to INSTANTLY BOOST Your Business. If you are looking for a few ideas, click the following link and listen to the interview – VISIT THE SITE NOW
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