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In a recent New York Times article, philosophy professor Todd May suggested that life has a trajectory which can be conceived narratively.  “A human life can be seen as a story, or as a series of stories that are more or less related”, he wrote. And then he asked, “What makes a trajectory a meaningful one?” This is important, May writes, because we find ourselves in an age of commerce, in which people “are currently encouraged to think of the themselves as either consumers or entrepreneurs”. May points out that this drive to be “shoppers of...

Going beyond sending “messages” “The words printed here are concepts. You must go through the experiences.” – Saint Augustine It was earlier noted that people today – including employees and prospective recruits – are looking for more meaning in their lives. This shift has not only prompted companies to reconsider their business models, product offerings and workplaces, it has made them rethink the terms on which they engage people.  This is especially true when trying to build a meaningful workplace. It becomes far more involved than simply...

Making it happen: the meaningful workplace master plan A meaningful workplace is built from the company’s master plan – a “strategic platform” used exclusively by senior management – that defines the three core elements of “ambition” (purpose), “feelings” (values)” and “behavior” (building a culture).  This master plan drives all subsequent activities, which include: Macro Plans – how the business itself will be evolved,  Group Plans – how groups of employees will be engaged, and  Solo Plans...

“Behavior” is the new “corporate culture” “If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.” – Albert Einstein A business’s fate is determined in large part by its culture. A “business culture” is the reality created by how people act, react and interact with each other based on their attitudes, beliefs and ambitions. The most damaging business cultures are those in which aggression, neglect and punishment leave employees feeling they have no reason to commit their energies and skills, share their ideas or help the company...

“Feelings” are the new “values” “People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou The goal of employee engagement is to drive employee attitudes, behavior, morality and ethics in such a way as to improve their productivity, morale, satisfaction and usefulness within the organization. However, many companies have struggled with converting their proclaimed “values” into compelling, work-changing experiences for their employees.  Often, the problems...

See the full gallery on Posterous The 2011 refresh of the McGuire Furniture Collection uses a documentary style to showcase existing clients proudly sharing “their McGuire” in the context of their own homes. Showing the product in real, lived-in environments helps illustrate the potential of the brand and help new users to become inspired. The collection of photographs and stories is followed by a statement of relevancy on design, collections, quality and craftsmanship. Proud to say “My...

Making your workplace more meaningful. “How do you build an organization where people are willing to bring their gifts of initiative, creativity and passion?” – Gary Hamel You can’t build a workplace that is meaningful to people using the old mentality and out-dated tools that have rendered your current workspace meaning-neutral or, at worst, meaningless. To forge meaningful alliances with meaning-seeking employees requires new ways of thinking and acting. Familiar business constructs that have formed the foundation of employer/employee relations are being...

Why workplaces aren’t meaningful now “Where do you find people, our most important asset, on a balance sheet? Under expenses.” – Paul Herman, HIP Investor Business has long been focused on producing widgets, growing market share, managing costs, and delivering shareholder value. And, while employees are a very costly factor, both in terms of monetary and management time, the process-driven, measurement-hungry and org chart world of business has been lacking in human respect, empathy and meaning. As such, businesses have been far more focused on the “what”...

See the full gallery on Posterous With two powerhouse parent companies looking over its shoulders, MillerCoors makes a big leap in sustainable reporting with Success the Right Way. For their 2010 report, we helped bring a new level of transparency and depth, as the company established internal protocols and moved towards international standards. This report highlights employee contributions to sustainability efforts and takes an interesting look at MillerCoors’ nine 2015 goals with photographed product charts. Printed by Hemlock Printers using 100% recycled and 100% post-consumer waste...