Executives thankful for interesting work

When people sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, they often express appreciation for their family, friends, and good health--but what are they grateful for on the job? Forty-three percent of advertising and marketing executives polled said they are most thankful for interesting work. Job security was cited by only seven percent. The survey was developed by The Creative Group, Menlo Park, Calif., a specialized staffing service that provides marketing, advertising, creative, and web professionals on a project basis.

"It's important for people to find their work engaging and meaningful, particularly within the creative field," says Tracey Turner, executive director of The Creative Group. "Many industry professionals will sacrifice job security for compelling projects."

Turner notes, however, that managers in any field can benefit from providing staff members with a variety of challenging assignments. "Giving employees opportunities that enable them to develop professionally can improve morale and productivity at little cost to the company. In fact, businesses often gain an advantage as workers acquire new skills on the job."

She offers the following suggestions to help managers keep work interesting:

Mix it up. Have your employees work with some new people. For example, form an interdepartmental project team to develop ideas for overcoming company challenges.

Check in. Find cut which types of assignments staff members prefer. What one workers finds invigorating, another may feel is humdrum.

Conduct brainstorming sessions. Devise new approaches to routine tasks. Is there a creative way to accomplish objectives more efficiently?

Get an outside perspective. Encourage employees to attend industry conferences and events, which can build enthusiasm and generate ideas. Then, have attendees share what they learn with the team.

Make the connection. Does your firm's product make people's lives easier, safer, or more enjoyable? Does the business have a strong corporate philanthropy program? Point out how the work of your company positively affects the community.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group