Grabbing a Hint from Mother Nature
Working in an office can be a great way to keep your bills paid and generate funds for recreational time, but whether you are a corporate CEO, the administrative assistant, or the mail room clerk, it is important to your personal well being and to your level of productivity to have an inspiring work environment.
Decades ago, companies like Hewlett Packard found that the use of color therapy would promote higher production levels as well as fewer health risks and decreased sick days in their employees. Along with removing the “drab” from their workplace, they increased the health of their work force. They had their lounges, foyers, and cubicles painted a soft plum shade and placed soft off-white office furniture throughout the entire building; thereby, increasing employee performance and their edge in the workplace.
Similar tests conducted today show that employees confined to office spaces for eight to twelve hours a day have fewer sick days, increased problem solving skills, and better idea generation when fresh flowers or plants are present. That’s right, Mother Nature still knows best. It appears we are at our brightest and best in the presence of nature. Maybe it’s the fresh air plants generate stimulating our brains or maybe just the colors. Whatever it is, flowers and plants give workers an edge in productivity.
Scientific studies have been conducted at Texas A&M University showing that skills in problem solving and creativity were increased with the addition of plants and flowers. The study used both men and women and was conducted over an eight month period. The results transcended gender and age and showed increased innovative thinking, greater solutions formulated, and a really great benefit: Higher motivation toward achievement.
A study conducted at the University of New Jersey sited that, “When gifts of equal monetary value were given, people had a more favorable response to the gift of flowers.” The folks just felt good all over days after receiving floral gifts. There’s another benefit; the affects of receiving flowers lasts for days.
It seems simple really, but as in all things, the simplest things are sometimes the hardest to grasp. Put a vase of flowers on your assistant’s desk and reap the benefits of new attitudes, ideas, and productivity. It isn’t just a way to get more work out of your employees, it is a way to say, “Thanks for a job well done.” It is a way to say, “Welcome to all who enter your doors.” Or, maybe it just says, “We are connected to our environment.” What ever the message, it will be a positive one.
So, the old adage,” Say it with flowers” really is true. It works, and you can’t argue with what works. We all need inspiration in our work environments, and flowers and plants are naturally endowed to inspire.
