Partner Article

Inspiring Creativity at Work

The word ‘creativity’ may bring artists, musicians, actors and other art forms to mind.

However, being creative isn’t a trait only reserved for those who perform, it allows you to tap into that productive and insightful side that can find alternative solutions to complex problems. Everyone has creative potential, including your employees – and harnessing it can have real benefits.

Your work environment can have a real impact on creativity, so take a fresh look at it!

One simple way to improve work/life balance and improve morale (and therefore creativity) is to say goodbye to the 9-to-5 and consider introducing flexible working hours.

Not only will this improve your relationship with your employees, but studies have shown that flexible schedules lead to higher rates of productivity. When staff aren’t constantly worrying about a rigid timetable, they have more time to be creative and produce quality work – and who hasn’t felt the dread of walking in late when sat in extreme traffic on the way to the office?

Flexible working hours, also increase staff loyalty. With recruitment a big problem in some industries, this is also worth considering.

There’s nothing worse than ploughing on with a thorny problem when inspiration is lacking, so encourage your workers to take a break!

Sometimes five minutes away from your screen, whether making yourself a much-needed cuppa or just getting some fresh air, can do the world of good and increase creativity levels. Remember that when staff aren’t being watched and pressured to complete a task, they may come up with a more creative solution.

Take a look at the Pomodoro Technique

This involves:

• Making a ‘to-do list’
• Taking 5 minute breaks, every 25 minutes
• Recording progress
• Take a 15 minute break every 1 to 2 hours (rather than a dinner)

Fore more information visit the website.

Have a team day out! We’re not talking about the odd pub lunch after payday, we mean fun! Why not get your employees to bond in teams with an exhilarating paintballing day? Or experience something new like a drive around a safari park?

Reserves such as those run by The Aspinall Foundation and San Diego zoo offer corporate and team building events, so the planning is that much easier! Another option is to keep it informal, for instance you could lay on a barbeque at the office. Whatever activity you go for, everyone will benefit: when you get on with your co-workers you can enjoy going to work, and when you enjoy your work you perform better.

Something incredibly simple that can inspire creativity is sharing ideas – let the team bounce off each other in a brainstorming session. Listen to everyone and don’t write anything off, you never know which ideas could inspire your next big project!

So obvious but it can still be overlooked: reward creativity! In order for your employees to think ‘outside-the-box’, they need to be motivated to do so. If your team is coming up with great, creative ideas but no-one is receiving any recognition, they’re going to lose morale. Think of a rewards scheme such as ‘employee of the month’ or perhaps the best project idea wins its creator the best parking space! Encourage your people to put their creative thinking caps on and you’ll be surprised at the impact it can have.

Finally, if you’re still not getting those creative juices flowing, set up innovation teams.

Individual teams can develop their own ideas on how to improve processes and address challenges. Let them really take ownership and present their ideas to their colleagues. When these teams are set up properly, it will signal to employees that your organisation values creativity.

If you want to read further - here’s a great article from Huffington Post

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Evans .