Coldplay back fan’s flash of inspiration
LONG hours and intense pressure have become standard in my organisation over the past few years. One of my team is off work with stress. How do I restore a more healthy work-life balance for my team but ensure the work is still done? OUR members tell us that many managers are in the same boat, working on average 46 days of unpaid overtime a year – the majorityincompaniesthat have experienced major organisational change. It is a difficult climate in which to work and manage others effectively.
Start by listening to your employees so you understand where the pressures are. What motivates your team? Understand their trigger points by speaking to people in different A COLDPLAY fan who paid £2,000 to a charity so he and his son could meet singer Chris Martin at a gig came away with backing for his business venture. Now he has sold more than two million radio-controlled wristbands that light up in time to music and says they will be used at the Paralympics closing ceremony where Coldplay will appear.
Jason Regler, 43, had the idea for Xylobands while watching the Glastonbury Festival on television in 2005. He says: ‘I was very depressed at the time. My business, RB Concepts, was not going well and I had been through a relationship breakdown. I thought it would be great if there was something else to bring everyone together.’
RB Concepts, based in Honiton, Devon, sold technology for toys, but he says it was struggling after a company went bankrupt and defaulted on a £150,000 payment. It was five years after having the wristbands idea that Jason had the chance to pitch it to Coldplay.
He says: ‘Two days after meeting them I got an email from their creative guy saying, “You know that break you wanted, we are about to give it to you.” Now turnover is into the multi-millions, 100 per cent up on last year. It rescued us.’
As well as at Coldplay concerts, Xylobands have been used at sports and corporate events. Nokia handed out 10,000 at the Tramlines Festival in Sheffield this summer. functions and levels. If life is busy at work, how can teams work together more effectively to spread the burden and support each other with tasks? Can projects be prioritised and timescales moved to alleviate a bottleneck and an overloaded team?
It is also important to let your team know that you care about them. Flexible working options are one of the most valued health benefits among workers.
It would also be useful to make your benefits plan available on the intranet, circulate a company newsletter featuring tips about how to achieve a good worklife balance, consider flexible working options and implement small health initiatives such as cycle to work schemes, discounts for gyms and access to health screenings.