I’ve been watching the ABC show, Undercover Boss. It’s basically where a boss of a major corporation disguises himself as an average employee working in the trenches. The coolest thing about the show is that at the end, these CEOs actually make real connections with their employees. The typical suit and tie, and corporate setting is gone, and they find themselves working side-by-side their lower-level employees. For a little while, they’re no longer CEO and grunt, but two everyday people just making an honest days wages. They listen to the stories of their employees, appreciate the hardships and struggles they go through, and many times, can relate to a lot of their struggles and they end up forming a real bond (most of the time).
The great thing here is that because of the interaction and relationships they build with their employees, they gain valuable insight into their companies and from this comes some really profound change. It’s inspiring and it’s such a positive show.
By creating better, stronger relationships with their employees, and connecting with them as human beings, not merely worker drones, they will build stronger brands. When you have people working with you, and doing business with you that feel valued and respected, they will usually become catalysts for your brand.
So how about you? Are you building stronger relationships with your employees, with vendors, with customers…better yet…with PEOPLE? With all of the money spent on advertising, marketing, public relations, social media, etc. – sometimes all it takes is just reaching out and building a relationship.
