Flowers Promote Employee Innovation – Secretary’s Week is April 19th–23rd
Research from Texas A&M University reveals flowers and plants, in the work place, enhance people’s ability to generate ideas and solve problems. One gift of appreciation will not only lift an employee’s mood, but boost their productivity as well. “Our study shows that a change as simple as adding flowers and plants can be important in the meaningful way to businesses in the modern economy,” said Dr. Roger Ulrich, lead researcher on the project. “People’s productivity, in the form of innovation and creative problem solving, improved – which in certain circumstances could mean the difference between mild and great business success.”
During the study, both males and females in environments with flowers and or plants demonstrated innovative thinking generated more ideas and original solutions to problems than those in environments without flowers and or plants. The study showed males generated 30% more ideas than females; however, females generated more creative, flexible solutions to problems when flowers and plants were present.
Dr. Ulrich has conducted extensive research on the effects of environments on psychological well being, stress and health. He says, “We know the importance of learning how natural surroundings affect drivers, school children and hospital patients.” Dr. Ulrich also states, “To business, it should be equal as important to understand what features can improve performance at work and make employees more productive.”
Professional Secretary’s Week, also known as Administrative Professional’s Week, is a time to recognize support staff for their valuable contributions in the workplace.
For more information on the impact of Flowers & Plants on Workplace Productivity Study, visit www.aboutflowers.com.
Professional Secretary’s Week is April 19th to the 23rd. Professional Secretary’s Day is April 21st.
