The Corporate Chalice

Every Grand Final winning player knows that unforgettable feeling as they lift up high the Premiership Cup signifying a lifetime achievement of sporting success. An injured player quickly forgets the pain and suffering they may have experienced in the game, or during the season, once their hands eagerly embrace the coveted item. One could say, it is analogous to a religious experience where all wounds and maladies are quickly forgotten.

The Premiership player carries the memory of this glorious event with them for the rest of their lives and they are similarly revered and immortalized by their sporting club fans, family and friends. Their legend status also accompanies them into their business and private life wherever they may go throughout the sporting globe.

Now let’s liken this Premiership Cup to the revered Holy Grail, or Golden Chalice, a cup that brings to the cup holder life changing powers.

Many a sporting club supporter that has the joyous opportunity to view their team’s winning cup, even if it’s locked away in a protective glass cabinet, is wooed by the powerful winning aura that adds a sense of pride, enjoyment and loyalty to the beholder. A team with a plethora of cups on display is deemed to be more powerful and impressive than their competition, and the copious silverware stache facilitates, motivates and maintains supporter club loyalty.

So why is it that most businesses have no such display that entices and stimulates employee commitment to the organization via its corporate achievements and victories? There are typically no such physical cups or chalices, or analogous symbols to improve and facilitate morale. Unfortunately business success is commonly celebrated by a few senior managers with little spoils of triumph passed on to the lower-level troops who may have been key in achieving the fruitful outcome.

So, if you are a business leader reading this blog post, what is your Holy Grail? How will you celebrate and share it with your employees when you obtain it? Do you have one or more cups that you can put on display to inspire current and future employees that demonstrate a longer-term legacy of achievement? Go on, let all employees drink from the cup as the taste will be beneficial to all, and will most definitely not be forgotten.

Commandments for Casual Friday Attire

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According to the Originator of all corporate knowledge, “In the beginning was the Office, and the Office was with The Employee, and the Office was Innovation”.

And the Originator provided The Employee with 4 days of boring corporate attire. But on the 5th day, the Originator decreed that Innovation would prevail. This 5th day, The Originator named “Casual Friday” and it was announced to all the Office, and it became Law.

I’m sure all those involved in the corporate office have memorised these wise and trusted verses from the Book of Business. But do you really put it into practice?

In my role as Director of Thought Creation in the Faculty of Fictional Innovative Fashion at some soon to be developed leading university, I have made extensive detailed nanosecond studies on the creative benefits of “Casual Friday” for The Employee, and for the Originator.

Firstly, the Originator would be displeased by the study findings, as The Employee is not generally demonstrating the term “casual” in it’s purest form.

A Google search of the word “casual” states, “clothes or shoes suitable for everyday wear rather than formal occasions”. So why is it that so many employees in the corporate office have difficulties following these revered verses from the Book of Business? Is it because they are non-believers of the corporate faith? No, I don’t think this is the case, as many employees will attempt to accommodate the required mindset change on the day of 5, but their attempts seem to have been misguided, or mysteriously corrupted, by some negative forces outside their control?

But relax and take heed as corporate salvation is at hand for those that have their ears, minds, and clothing wardrobes open, and are fully receptive. All The Employee needs to do is to follow these simple and easily understood 10 Commandments of Attire to attain the mental state of “Casual Friday” wellbeing.

  1. Thou shalt not wear a business suit, skirt or dress.
  2. No black shoes will adorn your feet.
  3. Thou shalt not wear any clothing item branded with the Corporate Logo
  4. Thou shalt not covet thy colleague’s clothes
  5. Thou shalt not wear the same clothes that you wore the week before
  6. Thou shalt honour a colleague that wears a bow-tie
  7. Thou shalt turn the cheek when a tartan kilt is worn
  8. Thou shalt not take the word Fashion in vain
  9. Thou shalt wear clothes as no public nudity is allowed
  10. Thou shalt enjoy this day, think differently and experience an innovative thought

By adhering to these Commandments of Attire, the Originator will be pleased, and The Employee will be rewarded with days 6, and 7, officially allocated for rest and recreation.

Amen