10.08.2022

Crossing HR Borders - Happiness

'Don't think outside the box, think outside your industry.' For a lot of HR problems today, a different domain has already solved that challenge. It can be very inspiring to cross some borders to gain new insights. And we're not talking about just crossing country borders, but also the borders of your discipline, industry or other unexpected resources. These insights can lead to specific solutions of the challenges that you're facing today.

Explore these examples in this monthly 'Crossing HR Borders' series.

How can you boost the happiness of your employees?

Giving out raises is only one possibility to do so and maybe not the most successful one on the long term, apart from being also the most expensive way to retain employees.

While more money can help to put a smile on your employees' faces, it's not the best way to keep them cheerful. What else could help to boost your employee's morale?

Let's shortly explore four unique approaches from four unique businesses in the newsletter dedicated to Human Resources.

Satisfied employees thanks to 'Just Wonder'

Every month, 3000 people apply for a job at Cool Blue and that is largely due to their company culture.

There is for example a 'Friends' value that stimulates employees to not only be colleagues but also to consider themselves as friends.

And their 'Just Wonder' value aligns with the obsessive focus on customer satisfaction. They strive to amaze their customers throughout the entire product purchase process. For the employees, this value has become the most normal thing in the world.

>>> Why not start with doing everything just a little differently and a little better every day?

Productive employees thanks to lessons from Formula 1 teams.

The common goal of a Formula 1 team is crystal clear: win the next race. The cars are in fact driving prototypes and every week 1000 little things are changed because everyone can adjust one tiny thing from his knowledge and expertise to make the car faster. Necessary requirements: transparency of data for everyone; learn from mistakes and improve; cross-functional teams; autonomy and authority for the frontline people.

>>> Make your organization as fast and agile as a Formula 1 team

Human employees thanks to a personal touch

Doctors and nurses, who are dressed in coveralls every day in the Jessa Hospital to take care of COVID-19 patients, now wear a cheerful photo of themselves on their gowns. In that way the nurses do not all look the same to the COVID-19 patients what also reduces anxiety by them.

It also helps the colleagues to recognize each other faster in these protective suits and keeps the work and relationships among them personal.

>>> Make sure your employees have the feeling of being seen and involved.

Boost the wellbeing of your employees and customers

In the Philippines, Coca Cola temporarily halted all their advertising to use the budget in its entirety to provide COVID-19 aid to the worst affected regions. The budget is used to provide protective clothing for health care workers and food parcels for vulnerable families.

>>> Show that you as an organization care about the health, wellbeing and happiness of your customers

'Crossing HR Borders' is the result of a co-creation between Marc Heleven - Innovation researcher and Cyriel Kortleven - Global speaker on the Change Mindset.

These articles were first published in the Flemish HR Magazine ZigZag.
More info: www.cyrielkortleven.com