Who are the Unusual Suspects in your company? Do you know their value?
Q: Marketing holds a meeting. Who do they invite?
A: The Marketing people
Q: Finance holds a meeting. Who do they invite?
A: The Finance people.
Q: Client Service Team holds a meeting. Who do they invite?
A: I’ll give you one guess.
What if Marketing invited Finance? Or extended an invitation to the IT folks? How would a Customer Service meeting benefit if people from Finance, Maintenance, or even your company receptionist were asked to sit in and contribute? Or let’s get even bolder……what if you invited someone from outside your company; that person you say good morning to every day while waiting for the elevator?
Why do we continue to look for answers from the usual suspects? Why don’t we turn to unusual suspects? Fresh new ideas are staring us in the face in hallways, elevators, and lunchrooms of companies around the globe. The person you least suspect might be the person with the idea that is going to separate you from your competitors and propel your company to new places.
In Diary of the Happiest Employee on Earth we learn about a company that invites “Unusual Suspects” to meetings. Unusual Suspects? You know, those people outside the department who might be able to add a different slant to a product or service. Those people looking for a better employee expereience. Those people who might be able to make something better or contribute an idea that your team couldn’t ever imagine because they’ve got their head in the sandbox or up their butt.
Holding a meeting today? Invite someone you normally would not ask to attend. Ask for their contributions. Listen and process. You only have to gain.
If this idea has you thinking check out my new book Diary of the Happiest Employee on Earth: 52 Provoking Thoughts for Creating a Great Workplace. Order the eBook or Kindle Version of Diary of the Happiest Employee on Earth by 10-18-11 and I’ll send you 2 printed copies once they’re in my hands. Just send me your receipt with your mailing address.
RICH DIGIROLAMO, founder Recess At Work, works with organizations to create happier work environments, strengthen work teams, design new programs, and create better relationships with customers and peers. In his soon to be released book Diary of the Happiest Employee on Earth: 52 Provoking Thoughts for Creating a Great Workplace he talks about why it is important for every employee to understand as much of your business as possible. Are you ready to take a Recess with Rich, inject some new energy into your organization and create an even better employee experience?
