Lighten up: it’s only business
Nett Administrator
15 April 2008
15 April 2008
Lawyer jokes, fishy shenanigans and smiling shopkeepers: Andrew Griffiths says it’s time to bring fun back into the workplace, and maintains that your staff, your customers and your bank manager will all thank you for it.
When you write a book called 101 Ways to Have a Business and a Life, you get asked a lot of strange questions and encounter a lot of people who want to know the meaning of life, or at least the most important thing they need to do to get their
life back into some kind of balance.
For me, that’s an easy one to answer. Those business owners who can laugh and have fun always seem to have the most balanced lives and, as a result, do much better financially than their sour‑faced counterparts.
I like Confucius’ thoughts on the matter: “A man without a smile should never open a shop.” Most of us need to lighten up because, after all, it is only business.
The vast majority of business owners strive to be respected for their professional approach, and rightly so. Customers expect professionalism and if a business can’t deliver – look out. But what exactly is professionalism?
I really believe that many business owners don’t allow fun into the workplace because they feel it’s being unprofessional, or that it will somehow lessen the perception their customers have of them.
I believe that one of the keys to building a dynamic and successful business is to have a workplace that actively encourages all of its staff to have a good time.
Think back to the last time you visited a business where it seemed everyone was having fun. Did you leave thinking that what they delivered was any less professional because they were enjoying themselves? I doubt it.
If you haven’t read the book Fish Tales, grab a copy today. It’s the amazing story of a Seattle retail fishmonger that’s become internationally renowned for its philosophy on building successful businesses by creating an energetic, dynamic,
fun-filled workplace.
I know a legal firm that has lawyer jokes on its hold message system. They are very successful, their clients love them, they deliver exceptional services, and they get results. Their advertising is fun and they really enjoy laughing both at
themselves, and at the legal profession in general.
Does this make them less professional? Not in my eyes, certainly not in the eyes of their clients and, I would hazard a guess, not in the eyes of their bank manager. Of course, I’m not talking about David Brent from The Office whipping out his
guitar during a training session, but about a genuine smile in the workplace.
Surely customers would prefer an environment where people are having a good time? Surely staff would want to work for a company where people enjoy going to work?
Welcome fun back into your working life, encourage it, enjoy it and spread it around. Just make sure that you define the boundaries of acceptable humour, so everyone knows what is okay and what isn’t.
Try introducing an element of fun in little steps to begin with, and see how your customers respond to it. I’m sure you will be very pleasantly surprised.
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Hahaha...
Great post.
I have worked in number of places in the past from a very serious interactive agency to a more relaxed web development firm and a video games developer.
I must say that I have found myself most productive in a casual environment where employees are stimulated to think outside the box. But on the flipside, there has to be a common thread whereby there is a culture to produce results.
I guess professionalism comes into place?
I also believe fun and professionalism can go together. I love walking in to a place of business where the staff is smiling and laughing and making everyone feel good. It makes such a difference and sticks in your brain, enticing you back again and again. Just don't let the inner David Brent out!