Creativity in the Workplace?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Keith Bernhardt on September 24, 2008 at 8:00pm

Bill,

Absolutely, creativity is necessary in the workplace, not only to boost morale and save the bottom line, but it helps the establishment provide better if not impecable service. It allows for
individuality and for stronger ideas to happen.

I come from the travel and tourism sector, rather than restaurant, but I, for one have always been against company uniforms. There was an agency . years ago, that was part of a national
franchise. The agents were required to wear uniforms. Everybody looked the same. It was
like each travel agent was part of one agent. It's like twins or triplets etc. generally, the parents will
dress them a like. They get the impression that they are a segment of one unit, rather than two individuals. I'm not a twin, but I've known twins throughout my life, and they always feel that
way.

This is probably a different analogy than what you may have expected, but I think you get it.

The owners and management need to encourage creativity, if not for the individuality factor , but
to allow the employee to grow in his or her career.

Very thought provoking and creative post !

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Permalink Reply by Debra Straka on September 25, 2008 at 10:12am

Do we need it? Yes, absolutely!! Thankfully my job is 85% creativity. I have worked many places where creativity was stifled. In hospitality especially everyone needs to have some creativity, FOH, BOH it is a commodity that must be nurtured.

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Permalink Reply by David Mark on September 25, 2008 at 12:24pm

Bill,

I/we need and want it! It's essential for growth (personally and financially). Here's how I look at it: you're either growing or you're sliding backwards. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as status quo or stagnation. There's only progress or ultimate failure. Therefore to remain in the growth phase, you must be creative and open-minded. Now, I've often heard, "If it's not broken, why fix it?". That's a little naive to me. You don't always have to revamp your product, image, etc., but you better keep evolving. After all, the essence of life is constant change.

I love the subject of creativity and could go on, but.... my creative juices just ran dry. :)

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Permalink Reply by Bill Baumgartner on September 25, 2008 at 2:53pm

David,

Thank you.
I love your phrase, "you better keep evolving."

If you are standing still, life and opportunities will pass you by.

Thank you again,

Bill

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Permalink Reply by Amanda Vroom on September 26, 2008 at 8:44am

You absolutely need creativity in the workplace...if not

would there be fast food drive throughs today?
would we be able to process credit cards at someone's car outside the building?
would there be a computer system to help drive your ticket times?

Who knows what will transform the workplace...creative thinkers are required to keep moving the business forward. Like David said, you are either moving forward or backward-there is no resting on your laurels.

My job includes looking at potential new solutions to keep up ahead of the curve, cutting edge, but not bleeding edge (BIG DIFFERENCE!) I am happy that I am encouraged to think outside the box to get a different result!

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Permalink Reply by John R. Hendrie on September 26, 2008 at 2:06pm

Hello, Bill, I just joined and was scrolling along.
There is someone you need to meet - Susan Swanson of West Newbury. Her credentials and Innovation Programs can be found on swansonarts@comcast.net.
Best,
John

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Permalink Reply by Paul Paz on September 27, 2008 at 11:53am

Creativity is critical to separate yourself from the competition!

Working tableside with guests I carry a credit card size magnifying lens that I offer my guests when I observe them having difficulting reading the menu print size. I originally got it for myself (old waiter) and tried it out tableside offering it to my diners. WOW!!! It is a gesture that went over the top as far as my guests' perceived value.

While I cannot do anything about the parking or prices... I can provide extraordinary added value in the elevate sevices I provide tableside. It's the positive "element of surprise". Everybody wins:guest, me, owner.

Paul

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Permalink Reply by Bill Baumgartner on September 27, 2008 at 5:37pm

Paul,

Great points! Thank you!

I believe VALUE is the key element. Providing value to the lives of others
is the greatest undertaking one can aspire to in life.

As you so eloquently stated, "Everybody wins."

PS.

You Bio is very impressive!

As Albert Einstein once proclaimed, "Seek not to be a man of success, but rather a man of value."

You are truely "A Man Of Value."

Thank you again,

Bill

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Permalink Reply by Paul Paz on September 27, 2008 at 8:56pm

Thanks for the kind words Bill.
Like most of us... just slugging it out day-to-day in these tight economic times.
Paul

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