Plus

4 TIPS FOR GETTING
PAST INTERNAL
BUREAUCRACY
1. Ask stakeholders to
participate in a pilot. “We’re
considering contracting for XYZ
services and would like your
participation in a pilot.” Explain
that it won’t require a lot of their
time, but confirm their input is
vitally important to the decision
to move forward.
2. Call a meeting of takeholders.
Take 10 minutes to explain what
you’re trying to do, why it’s
important, and why you need
their help. Reiterate that although
it’s a minimal time commitment,
you’re depending on their
involvement to make a smart
decision for the organization.
3. Invite at least 3 dozen real
participants to the pilot. You
need some input from typical
users to show stakeholders this is
something employees will value.
4. Summarize pilot results.
Typical questions to conclude
a pilot:
• Would you participate in this
service if offered through the
wellness program? Why or
why not?
• Do you think this service has
value for ABC Company? Why
or why not?
That’s it; 2 questions will tell you
all you need to know. Resist the
temptation to get into the weeds
of all elements in the service.
You’re simply trying to make
a case for or against moving
forward with the program and
give all stakeholders a common
understanding of why.
Whether you’re trying to build
or buy, completing these steps
in a bureaucratic environment
can help pave the way to a
successful launch.
SCREEN-FREE WEEK
One of the more popular activities
we’ve added to our recent wellness
campaigns is cutting back or
eliminating nonwork screen time.
Participants echo the same theme in
hundreds of evaluations: It was really
hard at first, but once it became
habit I found I had so much more
time to do other things… Thank you!
I love my evenings again. It’s as if
they needed our permission to turn
off their phones or tablets at home.
Excessive screen time (TV, video/
online gaming, mobile) has been
tied to slower metabolism, increased
obesity, higher cholesterol, and
reduced creativity in kids and adults.
A successful campaign to get your
clients to tune out for a week may be
the best health promotion you can
offer the whole year. Some ideas:
Pull the Plug Campaign. Hand out
buttons that say “I Pulled the Plug”
along with a flier that explains the
benefits and gives a list of things
to do instead of watching TV.
Encourage participants to wear the
buttons to work that week.
How I Survived a Week Without TV,
Internet, and Mobile Apps Essay
Contest. Ask employees to write an
essay (250 or fewer words) on the
creative things they did instead.
Family Night Out. Solicit discounts
to local recreation, cultural, or
sporting events in celebration of
Screen-Free Week.
Lunch at the Improv. Hire local
comedians to do a noontime standup
routine in the cafeteria or auditorium
in honor of Screen-Free Week. If
that’s too risky for your organization’s
culture, try a jazz band or
other entertainment.
Books R Us. Invite local used or new
book merchants onsite to sell books
for reading during Screen-Free
Week. Ask for a discount in exchange
for the free space and advertising.
Hobbies, Hobbies, Hobbies.
Feature new vendors each day to
demonstrate hobbies to replace
watching TV or playing online games.
Volunteering Seminar. Invite representatives
from local volunteer
agencies to discuss opportunities at
a lunch-time seminar.
14 WELL-BEING PRACTITIONER