Lessons for business in the Year of the Monkey
- By Eugene Clark
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E-mail China.org.cn, December 31, 2015
Playful. Monkeys are playful. The best work places are those that incorporate an element of play or fun. Companies like Google, YELP and Zappos have become legendary as fun places to work. We mistakenly think that play is only for children. The reality is that play can be a great way to learn and many companies are using computer game applications as a way to teach employees as well as engage customers. Play builds relationships, enhances creativity and promotes health competition.
Active and healthy. One reason monkeys have a lot of energy and are flexible and fast is that they engage in a lot of exercise. Smart employers know that healthy workers make for happy, long term and productive workers. Healthy workers cope better with stress. They know that working impossible hours is not a recipe for creativity, success or efficiency. Given China's ageing workforce, staying healthier and happier is a key to long-term growth and productivity.
Ethical. Monkeys can be mischievous but there is underlying monkey societies a code of ethics that must be observed. People want to be proud of the organization they work for. They want to see how their work fits in with the bigger picture. They want to feel that their lives have meaning and purpose; that they are contributing to the greater good of society.
Entitled to be treated ethically and with respect. Businesses that succeed for the long term are those that act ethically and treat their workers, customers and other stakeholders with respect. Ethics therefore are also important in relation to human attitudes to our fellow primates who genetically share so much in common with us humans. In recognition of this fact and reality that humans have an obligation and moral/legal stewardship in relation to our treatment of animals and nature generally, we humans should be increasingly aware of and sensitive to the general issues raised by animal rights. Mistreatment and neglect of animals, unnecessary exploitation of animals for fur, ivory and other means, endangered species issues that threaten animal extinction, disappearance of natural habitat, unnecessary experimentation on animals and inhumane factory farming and hunting are some of the issues raised by animal rights advocates around the world.
A common misunderstanding is that animal rights groups want to give animals the same rights as humans. That is not the case. Rather, animal rights groups seek to protect animals from the abuses mentioned above in order to take more seriously our obligations of stewardship in preserving and protecting animals for future generations and ultimately for our own sustainability and that of our fragile planet.
So, please enjoy this Year of the Monkey by emulating the wonderful qualities of monkeys - energy, intelligence, community, social interaction, playfulness, fun and creativity. Consider visiting and supporting your local zoo or, better yet, venturing out into nature to observe monkeys in their natural habitat.
Eugene Clark is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/eugeneclark.htm
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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