Problem:
There’s no excitement in your office. There’s nothing interesting for people to talk about.
Solution:
Hold a contest. It doesn’t matter what for, how you set it up, or what the prize is, just have one, and make it something people will talk about.
You don’t need to ask permission, just make it sound like some big company contest and no one will ever know. Or just keep it within your organization, it’s up to you.
Put up flyers, send out mass emails, post it on your blog, in your newsletter, or set up a sign on your desk. However you want to spread the word, make it sound like a big deal. And just go buy a nice prize if you want to, a gift card, dinner for two, or free massage.
I’m sure you can think of your own creative ideas for things to do, but here are a few off the top of my head. The winner is the person who:
- can solve this puzzle first
- writes the best quote of the day
- draws the best cartoon of the CEO
- comes up with the best idea for a contest
- designs the coolest logo
- has the funniest true company story
- knows the answer to this trivia question
- can guess correctly the exact weight of the receptionist this object
- has the best new product idea
- has the best idea for saving the company $millions$
Now wouldn’t that be something people would talk about? It may even produce something valuable to the company. In fact, I know it will, because it will be something for people to get excited about, to try their hand at winning, a reason to connect with each other, a reason to pay attention when you announce the winner, it’ll be something different, something remarkable.
That value is worth more than money because it’s taking a risk, shaking up the status quo, and making a difference. It’s grootship!
