4 WAYS PRACTICING MINDFULNESS IMPROVES YOUR COMPANY’S BOTTOM LINE

Companies must compete in order to survive, and that means keeping a watchful eye on the bottom line. When it comes to the business world, practicing mindfulness may sound like a “nice to have” – not a “need to have”. A growing body of evidence proves this just isn’t true. In fact, mindfulness at work programs greatly improve a company’s bottom line. Here are four major reasons why.

1. MINDFULNESS AT WORK TRAINING BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY

The most basic way a business can increase profits is by improving productivity: generally defined as the amount of output delivered per hour of work. Mindfulness practices increase productivity because they train the brain to be more focused and efficient, avoiding distractions that take up time and lead to mistakes. It’s a scientific fact: people who practice mindfulness are able to get more done in less time. Here are just a few examples of companies with mindfulness at work programs, and how they improved their bottom line:

• Dow – $22,000 per employee annual productivity gain
• Aetna – 62 minutes more productivity week, worth $3000 per employee per year 
• RW Montgomery – productivity increased 120%: profits rose by 520%
• Citrix – 32% increase in focus and efficiency

These companies made – and also saved – more money because they implemented mindfulness at work programs. Yours can too. It’s that simple.

2. COMPANIES WITH MINDFULNESS PROGRAMS ARE BETTER AT ATTRACTING & RETAINING TALENT

There is no doubt about it: the business world underwent a tectonic shift as a result of the pandemic. Lots of workers left their jobs, and many didn’t want to go back. People’s attitudes about their work, health and happiness shifted. Workers started placing a bigger priority on achieving the ever-elusive “work-life balance”. Now more than ever, employees want to feel engaged, valued and fulfilled at work. They also don’t want their jobs to stress them out and make them sick. Studies show that these motivators are just as important to workers as the salary and other forms of compensation they receive. Potential employees are looking for a work environment where they will be nurtured – both professionally and personally. Mindfulness at work programs are a key part of this equation. Companies that promote wellbeing and a healthy work environment have an edge when it comes to attracting the best workers, and keeping them. This is especially true of younger workers. Mindfulness training is a critical way of combating burnout, absenteeism and turnover in the workforce – which hurts the bottom line of every business. Companies with mindfulness at work programs are better able to attract and retain top talent in today’s competitive business environment. 

3. EMPLOYEES WHO PRACTICE MINDFULNESS ARE LESS STRESSED AND WANT TO WORK

Employee stress costs companies – big time. Stressed out workers are less productive, miss work, get sick more often, and leave their jobs in higher numbers. All of this impacts the bottom line of businesses, in myriad ways. Companies with mindfulness at work programs are able to mitigate these losses and boost profits. Studies show that their workers are better able to cope with stress, and have an enhanced overall sense of well-being. They are more productive, and take less time off work. They have reduced psychological distress about their jobs, and therefore fewer mental health issues. They get sick less and use less health care, which greatly reduces health-related costs. Studies show that people who aren’t as stressed out about their jobs actually WANT to work – whether remotely, or in person. They are more resilient, and better able to cope with rapid changes in todays’ workplace: including technological advances such as the threat (real and/or perceived) from the rise of AI.  Mindfulness at work programs don’t just benefit the individual employee – they make the whole company work better. There is more cooperation and cohesion among employees. When workers get along better, teams are more effective and efficient – so they produce more. A synergistic effect takes root, resulting in higher levels of job satisfaction and productivity across the board.  This translates into an improved bottom line and greater success at businesses that show they care about employees – including by cultivating a culture of mindfulness in the workplace. 

4. COMPANIES THAT PROMOTE MINDFULNESS LEAD THE WAY IN CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

Every day, we are faced with problems that need solving: how to budget our time so critical things get done; deal with unexpected issues; handle the occasional full-blown crisis. Running a business is no different – it involves a series of never-ending challenges that need to be resolved. Everyone who works has to be creative, because working well means being a problem-solver. Evidence shows that practicing mindfulness at work significantly improves creativity and innovation, because it opens up opportunities for creative problem-solving. Mindfulness practitioners routinely say it helps them think more creatively. The evidence is not just anecdotal: studies show people who work at companies with formal mindfulness programs have significant increases in mental clarity, creativity and insights. In today’s business world – with its lightening-speed changes, technological advances, and global competition – companies that lead when it come to creating and innovating have the competitive edge.  Businesses with mindfulness at work programs don’t just survive in this environment – they thrive.