Deming's Principle #10 of Management reminded managers to "eliminate slogans, exhortations and targets in the workplace", meaning that these elements are not useful to motivate employees to improve. Usually, what is broken is the system, and the employees have no other option but to follow broken rules. What would you think as a plant floor operator is there was a sign that said "Quality is your responsibility", but at the end of the month management orders you to manufacture as much as possible, to hit the monthly production quota? Are you in control of quality?
Regardless, I do think there are some signs or slogans that could be useful, that Dan Pink calls Emotionally Intelligent Signage. Although this sign is not directly related to a business setting, it begs us to be creative when using slogans, and remind us of things we can do to improve, that are directly under our control. And remember, we are human and sometimes we need gentle nudges or reminders to go in the right direction.
Bottom line: only when strictly necessary, devise slogans or reminders that move people in the right direction. And make sure what you think is the right direction, is actually the right one.
Do you have any other examples of creative slogans or signs?
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