Best Workplaces

The Best Workplaces report (Financial Times, April 28, 2005) notes many factors in common with Managing Creativity and Innovation.

Material reward is not the sole factor in determining satisfaction. Microsoft UK offers acupuncture and deep tissue massages. OC&C Strategy consultants offer skiing trips and Computer Future Solutions have BMWs and Porsches as company cars. Yet people rarely mentioned these perks when they rated their company.

This is because satisfaction is also related to i) the gap between the real and ideal self, ii) projects that can be classified as fun or amusing, iii) tasks are competency expanding or challenging, iv) goals are perceived as feasible, v) there is a degree of self-determination and vi) there is recognition.

These are the exact same conditions that enhance motivation and creative output.

What people noted was the degree to which people felt valued, productive and listened to. Further, they felt their superiors had a high degree of trust for them, allowed them to engage in projects in a self-determined way, there was a general lack of suspicion and an almost non-existent blame culture.

This is in accordance with the philosophy that people require psychological safety and freedom ? the feeling that they are accepted as unconditioned worth, that it is recognised that they are capable of producing but that their value is not based on producing; that there is empathetic understanding of them.

Again, these are the exact same conditions that remove blocks and are the foundations of an optimum organisational culture. These conditions enhance creative output.

These topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com. You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com.

Five Essential Hiring Practices

Recruiting and hiring are often done in haste, leaving the... Read More

What Cross-cultural Training Can Do for You

International business is more complex than ever before. Success in... Read More

Building A Stellar Business One Employee At A Time

Top businesses that continually lead their industry clearly understand a... Read More

Hire People For What They Do Best

I recently flew from Seattle to Atlanta, I realized, just... Read More

Align The Enterprise & Make Beautiful Music Together

Q: Why is a great business like a great marching... Read More

Importance of Just-In-Time Inventory System

In today's competitive world shorter product life cycles, customers rapid... Read More

How to Build Your Business and Still Take Time Off

We all know people who are like human dynamos. They... Read More

Project Managment: Land the Plane Stop Doing and Start Succeeding

We all spend time on planning vacations. If it's not... Read More

The Top Six Reasons to Buy Rather Than Build an Inventory Management Solution

Is building your own inventory management solution really your best... Read More

Planning a Productive Retreat

What value is there in leadership or team-building retreats? Just... Read More

Its a Training Issue!

There's a common phrase used by Organizational Development and Human... Read More

Preparation: Your Companys Best Defense in Case of Catastrophe

You've hung out your shingle and are ready for business.... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Maximize the Two People Inside

Every one of us, in reality, has two people inside:... Read More

Out of Control?

There are papers on the floor, across the desk and... Read More

Oasis in a Cash Flow Desert - Four Resources That Increase Small Business Capital Streams

For small business owners, an enthusiastic vision for smooth, steady... Read More

Great Hires: Avoid Costly Mistakes

Picking people for a job is like going... Read More

Let the Professionals Help You Out - Outsource

As your website grows in terms of attracting more footfalls,... Read More

Innovation Management ? the Root of the Problem

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Regaining Control - Nine Steps for New Managers

My client had faced the same challenge, which was frustrating... Read More

How To Rebuild Trust

Here are some quick thoughts on ways to turn things... Read More

Leadership Skills Means Turnover is Not a Problem

"Ha!" you say. "For someone to make a statement like... Read More

Why Employee Satisfaction Surveys And Employee Exit Surveys Make Good Sense

In a competitive world with the need for businesses to... Read More

Time Management - How to Have Productive Meetings

One of the greatest time wasters of all are unnecessary... Read More

Successful Managing Through Delegation

Managers should avoid the tendency to constantly delegate to the... Read More

Management Development - Micromanagement Works!

Getting into the detail of everything each of your people... Read More