Work: open approach and productivity

The term open approach working refers to a current school of thought that encourages the members of a team to maintain an open and flexible mindset. The concept can be summarised as an active cooperation method, which leaves each individual free to express their full potential.

Several market studies have clearly shown that the productive quality of teams who adopt the open approach is significantly higher than average. This is of great value to companies aiming to optimise their resource investment.

The survey on open approach working

The implementation of working groups based on open-mindedness and multi-level cooperation has been shown to be particularly efficient. An interesting survey has demonstrated, supported by factual data, how this particular philosophy is able to contribute to the success of company projects.

The experiment involved around a thousand employees belonging to working groups composed of at least five members. Each one was asked to answer a series of questions in order to outline the ‘state of health’ of their own team.

A wide range of sectors were analysed:  from marketing to finance, as well as design, engineering, IT, law firms and HR.

Although many different categories and roles were involved in the working groups, the data gathered reflected a certain unanimity regarding the most important factor for team wellbeing. Almost 94% of interviewees considered mutual respect to be the number one requirement for effective cooperation.

89% cited a clear and transparent decisional process as helpful in ensuring more satisfying results. According to 69% of interviewees, being able to admit one’s own mistakes without pressure is beneficial to the group’s quality of work.

Another key point shared by 57% of the survey’s participants is the opportunity to express one’s ideas freely, regardless of one’s role within the team. This contributes towards creating a sense of personal fulfilment and generates the necessary debate required to improve working outcomes.

The basic principles of open approach working

What emerges from this interesting research carried out in the US market, is confirmation that the introduction of open approach working has an extremely positive impact. Any company wishing to try out this particular philosophy should be aware of certain principles which characterise it.

1. The importance of seeing the big picture is crucial for the involvement of employees. In the survey, over 25% of interviewees confirmed that a deeper understanding of their role within the project (and a better understanding of the company mission), helped them to carry out their work more effectively.
2. It is important not to avoid conflict within the team. Differences of opinion are the seed for the growth of new, more complex and detailed ideas. By giving everyone the opportunity to express their own feedback, the group will be able to come up with innovative solutions.
3. The sharing of know-how is crucial. Knowledge and the most efficient operational methods should not be the prerogative of a few. Giving all group members this information contributes towards the project’s dynamic development. This philosophy in particular can be applied to every branch of the company.

By following these key guidelines, open approach working will be able to revolutionise not just small projects, but also the productive methods of entire companies.  It is an advantageous operational philosophy which every entrepreneur should try.

Translated by Joanne Beckwith