Play.
Play is the #1 thing I fail to embed more of into deliverables for my clients.
The reason why I fail to embed more play into my deliverables is simple: Because I don’t do a good job of reminding my clients of how important crucial the link between play and success is, both in life and in business.
To give you a little refresher re the power of play in life and in business, I could point you to a book or a TED talk which advances the idea that play is a crucial link in unlocking human potential.
But since everyone’s busy nowadays, let us try to illustrate our point via two practical examples of the importance of play in businesses.
Specifically, let’s consider Costco and MINI Cooper. (Were you surprised that I included Costco alongside MINI Cooper?)
First up: Costco.
As the writer Harry Beckwith first suggested, a big part of its appeal comes from it being a version of a board game called ‘Treasure Hunt.’ The company, of course, doesn’t talk about this connection. But every time folks who shop at Costco head out to Costco, long before they reach the store, their mind starts playing this game:
“Am I going to find a decent French wine for like $9 a bottle today at Costco? Maybe. A limited edition of Chevrolet Silverado for Costco members only? Probably! Any other surprises? Gotta play to find out!“
Next up, MINI Cooper.
MINI Cooper = the car is a toy. ‘nough said, no? :)
Let’s wrap this up.
They say that plenty of play in childhood makes for happy, smart adults. Keeping it up throughout life can make you healthier, wealthier, and wiser. At any age.
This is why, for smart business folks, the question is never “Should we add an element of play in you-name-it.” For smart business folks, the question is “What if you-name-it was more fun, more playful?”
p.s. In one of my upcoming stories, I’ll share with you one playful business-building practice that’s within reach of any business, and yet most businesses are not using it. Much. Or at all.
Jan 27, 2017