Walk the talk – do what you say!
There was a great article in the 15-May-15 Philadelphia Business Journal. I’m sure you know the expression, “walk the talk”. It means that you do what you say. The converse is from another age, “Do as I say, not as I do.” I remember a classic commercial from my youth of a smoker, armed with cigarette, telling his son not to smoke – “it’s bad for your health.”
It was therefore very refreshing to read about Vynamic and zzzmail. This young company, which currently has 85 employees, turns off interoffice emails from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays and on weekends from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday. Recognizing that “emergencies” can arise, employees are allowed to contact each other during these off-hours but only by phone or text. If the issue is sufficiently urgent, they anticipate that the employees will be comfortable using phone or text. If it really could wait, they anticipate that the requirement to call will drive responsible behavior.
Email Or Call Directions On A Metal Signpost
The best part is that many of their clients are aware of the policy. Although clients are not required to follow the policy, many of them are following it. It’s only fair to wonder if it will influence their own behavior. Vynamic is walking the talk and wouldn’t you love to work there?
I’m not saying that you have to ban off-hours email to walk the talk but I am suggesting that if you have a core belief or mission, you should live it, not just talk about it. If employees are your most important asset, then maybe you should turn off email sometimes. If you believe in the value of people who are differently-abled (see my frequent posts differently-abled ROI, perhaps they should be on your payroll. Just sayin’….
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