‘If people are happy they will contribute more’
The UAE is in the best position to take a leading role in innovation and global competitiveness as it has the right tools to develop innovative ideas, “unlike 20 years ago when ideas were mainly acquired from outside and implemented in the country.”
This was the observation by Mohammed Al-Mutawa, board member of non-profit organisation Dubai Quality Group that recently hosted the Ideas Arabia 11th International Conference 2016 that centred on the theme “Aspiring for Innovation and Happiness.
A number of international and local experts gathered at the two-day conference to share their ideas and best practices on “suggestions and rewarding scheme, innovation, creativity and workplace happiness.”
“I believe it’s not only talk as the vision and national agenda set by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, are very clear and all organisations should work to achieve these goals,” Mutawa told Khaleej Times.
“Innovation is the keyword and now even schools have changed their curriculums to enable innovative thinking. From schools to universities, workplaces and government
agencies – they all compete to become leaders of innovation which will lead to everyone achieving happiness,” Mutawa underlined.
For international speaker and peak performance coach Anand Chulani, “happiness is the new productivity. If people are happy
they are engaged. If they are engaged they want to contribute more, if they want to contribute more, they give ideas.”
Chulani advised business leaders and managers at the conference to “tap into what makes people happy to get more out of them.”
“It makes strategic sense to take care of your employees and keep them engaged. Most organisations focus on investors’ satisfaction — this will improve the business but not bring it to its peak zone,” he said.
Invest in your staff
A mid-level manager who attended the conference made the same remark. “Employers should ‘walk the talk’. Investing in employees for their career growth and development is important and this should not be considered as an expense.”
“Employees should not always think about money but also about satisfaction and peace of mind.
If, for example, the company cannot give a salary increase, perhaps the employer can consider providing incentives like higher housing allowance or free education for kids – these will definitely relieve the stress from the employee and make him more inspired to work.”
Meanwhile, winners of the Ideas Arabia Competition 2016 were also announced on Tuesday. DQG gave recognition to the most significant ideas implemented by various organisations in the categories such as smart services, productivity, technology, customer happiness, green initiative best nvention and more.
Innovation is the keyword and now even schools have changed their curriculums to enable innovative thinking