Body, Brain and Business… 27th February 2008

 

How often do you stop and think how the body and brain work together in a business context?  Not many of us ever do!  However,  we can reach higher levels of human potential by learning to use the greater “intelligence” offered by our bodies and brains acting in unison. Thinking, learning, collaboration and creativity are all enhanced by getting bodies and brains to work in harmony to support continuous, complex learning and high-level performance, without stress and burn-out.  A forthcoming conference on this subject will bring together some of the most informed and exciting thinkers from business, science and the contemplative arts.  The conference will take place on 27th February 2008, at the beautiful, eco-friendly and inspiring Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre in Lambourn, Berkshire.  It is designed for independent thinkers who want to lead with wisdom and clarity, entrepreneurs and managers who want to grow their potential, and thoose who want to step up creativity and change.  Visit the conference website for more details:  http://www.advizory.com/conferences/programme.html?campaign=Rock

 

 

 

Are your employees like Battery Hens?

After his crusade on school dinners, Jamie Oliver has been recently launched a new crusade on the plight of Battery Hens Vs Free Range Hens.  He argues that the product of Free Range Hens is much better… for them and for us. I personally  haven’t come across anyone who argues against this, in other words it’s common sense!  Even the supermarkets have taken note as “consumers” (a strange word to describe people?) have elected to pay more for better quality products – what next?

 

I find this situation analogous to many businesses.  Desperate to drive down cost (seen as the be-all and end-all to their customer – “the consumer”) businesses squeeze employees into tiny spaces within uninspiring boxes, starved of daylight and other stimulation, and organised around tightly defined processes with strict roles and responsibilities.  This might be highly productive, yet I’m sure everyone with common sense can see that it’s hardly going to motivate people to give their best.  They might as well be battery hens.

 

In these times when more and more jobs are outsourced to low cost economies (to drive down cost further) businesses increasingly need to get more from their employees if they are to compete within the global economy. Creativity and Innovation are the new buzz words that are heard in the boardroom, but will treating employees like battery hens foster the very best from them? In the war-for-talent will your offices attract the very best?  How many of your employees will choose to look for a more rewarding environment in 2008? Do you really know the hidden cost of this?

 

I would like to suggest that forward looking businesses need to address this issue, indeed some of the best employers are already doing so and are reaping the rewards of their vision.  It would be nice to see more companies employing architects and interior designers again, creating working spaces that inspire individuals, foster teamwork, and result in higher levels of creativity and innovation.  The cost might be higher, but perhaps the result would be something your customers might pay more for, and put your business on the path to sustainable growth?

 

As Jamie might say:-     “food for thought”?

 

Cultivar Consulting has developed partnerships with architects and interior designers so that we can introduce changes that inspire with our clients – contact us now to find out more… www.cultivar.co.uk

China NOW festival

More and more companies are beginning to do business in China, and if they aren’t they are certainly beginning to think about it.  But for most of us China is an exotic and far-away land that we understand very little about and with a language that is seemingly impossible to learn.  In this year of the Beijng Olympics, the China NOW festival has been conceived to help Britain learn more about China and promote cross-cultural understanding.  It starts with the Chinese New Year in early February and goes on until the olympics are held in Beijing in July.  In all there will be over 800 events held in UK, combined with a supporting educational programme. In Birmingham it is planned that Victoria Square will hold a Chinese market for the duration of the festival, similar to the very successful Frankfurt Christmas Market held in December, but offering Chinese products, food, etc.  Will 2008 be the year for you to learn more about the opportunities in China?

Visit the China NOW website at: www.chinanow.org.uk