This week, these stories on company culture grabbed our attention, from the role creativity and competition play, to the increasing importance of wellbeing. Here they are for your reading enjoyment:
“The Adam & Eve/DDB school of creativity” and “Dentsu Aegis uses gaming to attract diverse talent” – Campaign Live UK
The UK’s Campaign Live has been analysing all things creativity and culture in the past couple of weeks, especially when it comes to recruitment and retention. Adam & Eve/DDB was named the agency the industry most admires thanks to creating both culture and collateral, writes Nicola Kemp. Meanwhile, Dentsu Aegis has started using mobile gaming as a means to recruit entry-level talent from diverse backgrounds, in a bid to attract candidates who would not necessarily stand out using traditional hiring methods.
“IPG Mediabrands closes offices for a day to focus on its people” and “Agencies still held back by legacy cultures” – AdNews
Culture has been top of mind closer to home too. IPG Mediabrands closed their offices for a day last week part of an ongoing programme to give 100 hours back to each of its people in return for their hard work. Perhaps they are breaking through the ‘legacy cultures’ that are holding agencies back, according to Facebook.
“How emotional intelligence moved to the top of adland’s talent agenda” – Mumbrella
Mental wellbeing in the workplace isn’t just a priority for IPG Mediabrands, it seems, but for agencies across the board. Abigail Dawson writes that emotional intelligence is progressively becoming more important within agencies; and as the industry becomes more complex, simply having the intellectual skills and knowledge to complete job roles and responsibilities may no longer be enough.
“Career Advice for My Future Daughter” – AdAge
Zihla Salinas, EVP and managing director of DonerLA, advises her future daughter to work smarter, not harder, to build bench strength and to set team expectations early on.
“Why Employees At Apple And Google Are More Productive” – Fast Company
Companies like Apple, Netflix, Google, and Dell are 40% more productive than the average company, according to research, not because they hire a greater number of talented employees, but because they are able to produce significantly more output thanks to the way they organise their business process.
“Does Work Make You Happy?” and “The Pros and Cons of Competition Among Employees” – Harvard Business Review
The importance of having a job extends far beyond the salary attached to it, write Jan-Emmanuel De Neve and George Ward, with research showing that the non-monetary aspects of employment are also key drivers of people’s wellbeing. Social status, social relations, daily structure, and goals all exert a strong influence on people’s happiness. Meanwhile, further research suggests that employee competition can motivate people, make them put in more effort, and achieve results.