An interesting reflection: Slow Down Culture
Got this from a friend, pondered, then thought its good to share ....
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At Swedish company, Volvo, any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule.
Globalize processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to posses a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme.
At the end, this always yields better results.
Said in another words:
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4. Volvo, Scania, SAAB, Ericsson, Electrolux, are some of its renowned companies. Volvo supplies to NASA.
The first time I was in
Nowadays, there's a movement in
Basically, the movement questions the sense of "hurry" and "craziness" generated by Globalization, fueled by the desire of "having in quantity" (life status) versus "having with quality", "life quality" or the "quality of being". French people, even though they work 35 hours per week, are more productive than Americans, British or us Singaporeans ...
Germans have established 28.8 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%. This slow attitude has brought forth the world's attention, pupils of the fast and the "do it now!".
This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means reestablishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the "now", present and concrete, versus the "global", undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living.
It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit.
In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, "I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now". To which Al responds, "A life is lived in an instant". Then they dance to a tango.
Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".
Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalized world.
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Any Swedish here in Apsense ?? Here's a SALUTE to your culture !!
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Comments (18)
Enamul Huque11
SEO Specialist
Great story.
Life is becoming complicated day by day. So we need time to relax.
J. Roslan5
Hi Joseph,
Fair and just treatment to employees to entice them into productivity without increasing workload and downgrading staff ... these are challenges and tasks faced by the think tank of an organization.
Responding to social expectations and changing work patterns, benefits are also becoming increasingly creative, timely and flexible. Traditional work practices are being re-evaluated ... and illustrations of such practices in action can be seen in Europe where benefits largely rev
Maurizio Salvador5
Hi Joseph,
I hope July's report leaks from you down South to the US so that they implement just 25% of it.
I work for the US Air Force stationed her in Europe as Director, Outdoor Recreation; manage staff, rental equipment, trips, ski/snowboard lessons, swimming pool, pick-nick area etc,etc. If this does happen........by some little miracle they may just accept the way we work here and maybe also some of my advice..............HaHaHa....HaHa...Ha
If you manage to implement it........I'm
Joseph Botelho15
Working on one project at a time.
Hi July,
I think l will print your article and bring it to the next managements meeting, l like the part about in Germany they only work 28.5 hours and ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE with an increase of 20 percent. I can see that happening, why because if your happy at work you will produce at your hightest level............something over here in North american we have no concept about, how to treat your employee's and how to get them to become more productive without increase work load and down grade
J. Roslan5
Wow, yummy yummy ... good listing you have there.
Tiramisu cake from Raffles Marina Country Club in Singapore is 'delightful' too :)
Maurizio Salvador5
Hey all don’t get me wrong!!! The world is full of Beautiful & Great wonders.
A few of my favorites.
Best BBQ in the world - South Africa
Stake & Kidney Pie and Cornish Pasty - Wales
Tartara Steak - Croazia
Fondue - Switzerland
Lemon Meringue Pie - US
Paella - Spain
Pepper Steak - Austria
Black Beans - Costa Rica
Escargot – France
Tira Mi Su Cake (Lift Me Up Cake) – Italy……….Only the one I make at Home.
O Yes…..Ostr
J. Roslan5
Alas y Cia,
Oops .... my blunder, blunder for asking such 'stupe' question.
Anyway, what is past is past, no sense in getting disappointed, tied or untied ...
C'est la vie ... you must move on to a new life :)
Maurizio & Alas y Cia,
You both made me want to sample the Italian & Spanish cafes there ...
Oh how enjoyable they all sounded, you know those are stark contrast to our fast-paced
Singaporean lifestyle here, where even some popular fine dining spots get people queing up for their
Theresa6
ahh, now this sounds delightful !
slowing down and enjoying life seems to be the only way to make the most of what you have while you still have it.. eh?
Thanks for sharing this article with us ;-)
Maurizio Salvador5
Alas y Cia,
Well we learned well from the Spanish and we all know Italians do Dramatize everything.........It is our way.
I had to end the comment at 1am, I could not go on with the XXX Rated part of the Italian way. Could I?
Yes we split the bill just like the Spanish, but unlike the Spanish.........we move on to something more interesting, this includes the over 30 (XXX....You Know what I mean!!!)
Ciao
Jenny Stewart11
Maurizio - you are describing an italian dramatized version of a spanish evening out! Only we dont start to eat until 10 pm and then, when the meal is finally over, we often go and dance it till dawn (well at least 3 a.m. if you are over 30! LOL)
and as you say - noone argues if one has the pasta and the other the entrecote steak - just spllit the bill and move on to the next place!
Jenny
p.s. Judy, sorry to disappoint you but the Swede had his knots untied 14 years ago!
J. Roslan5
Hi Everyone,
I'm pretty glad that you all agreed in essence to the slowing down pace ...
One step backward at times can prove to be ten steps forward :)
Lisa ... thanks for rating this blog highly (blush, blush ...)
Cheryl ... anytime ....
Alas y Cia ... oops, the stats may be wrong, but I was just quoting ....
Great to know that you tied your knots with a Swedish ?? Since how long ??
Beth .. not so much on slowing down always, but to take our time at times :)
Peaceful .... t
Maurizio Salvador5
Complements for Your Outstanding Blog.
This Blog Described Europe, this is our lifestyle.
Italians, when we go out to a restaurant we sit at table from 8pm until minimum mid-night.......1am is better.
What is "In" around an Italian dinner at a restaurant:-
- Bring New friends
- Make new comers to group your new friends
- Eat Slow
- Drink Slower Good Wine
- Make Waiter/Waitress/Restaurant Owner feel comfortable and also part of our get together (This could get you an extra discoun
Beth Schmillen10
That would be something to see ~ slowing down all around the world ~
And hearing that those who come late need to park close! LOL... that is amazing!
Beth
Jeff Greene8
Online Marketing Specialist/Consultant
There are wonderful moments in this World that people always seem to miss... NOW and HERE are a couple of good ones....
NOW and HERE, I want to thank you for giving us one of your precious MOMENTS and sharing your wisdom with us....
Blessed Be!
Jenny Stewart11
Hi Judy,
What an excellent Story - and very true. Having been married to one of the 8 (not 2) million Swedes - i am not sure that Volvo's attitude is typical of all the people in the country! LOL
However, we have a saying here that the best way to do things is "without rushing and without stopping" And it is true - rushing about like a headless chicken with one eye on the next place we have to be in usually leaves us candidates for terminal burn out. And often the results are far less impre
Cheryl Baumgartner12
Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
Great blog thanks for letting me know about it
Lisa G.9
Health Wellness & Wealth Consultant
Brilliant Blog and nice ending! I hope everyone will take the time to read your wonderful blog all the way through. A really smart take on the meaning of slowing down.
I'm so glad you decided to share this with all of us!
I hope your blog will get topped by everyone! This is a great read!
Thanks!