Tag Archives: cogs



Personality

November 12th, 2008

What is personality?

Google ‘definition of personality’ returns “the complex of all the attributes–behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental–that characterize a unique individual; “their different …”

Essentially personality is what makes us different and unique.

Big businesses try to stamp out personality to keep regimented systems for franchises, to reassure customers, to get the right cogs doing what they need to.

Yet more often than not a loyalty between organisations is between people, not the brands.

It’s people behind every company and every interaction and with people comes their personality.

We shouldn’t shy away from that, we should embrace it, what are the personalities behind our business? and how can we leverage that? (and in term keep them happy).

I was thinking this as I bought a coffee from Cafe Monet, in Newmarket. ย 

I wandered in and 3 people were in there and they all said hey anton, morning anton, etc to (as I instantly became aware) Anton the barista.

Anton looked up and said ‘hey buddy’ to me, and carried on talking to various people, within 30 seconds you could tell he was the personality behind the cafe and the reason people kept coming back.

It was like everyone was friends, a real sense of community.

I daresay his 10% extra effort with every customer leads to 80% (or higher) return rates. ย 

I’ll definitely be going back to say hi to Anton and grab a coffee (plus the coffee isn’t half bad).

The question is, what personalities do we have? and how can we embrace them?


Cogs

September 15th, 2008

Cogs are old school. Here is our business it runs automatically. It’s parts (employees) are cogs in a big system.

I hate the idea of cogs. I know that’s a strong word but i do.

Why do you think people go into the workforce excited, motivated and enthused. Then you see them 6 months later. Doing another day at the office. Sigh.

They have become cogs. Sad thing is this transpires to the rest of their life. Lower ambitions, Less happy, Have the blinkers on.

Wake up! We don’t need cogs anymore. If you need cogs I suggest you are doing something wrong. Do a double take. There is potential for each and every employee to become a thinker in their own right.

Thinkers innovate, thinkers are happier, thinkers impress your customers.

Think about it.



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