A G Krishnamurthy: Of people, pauses and productivity

AGKSPEAK/ Employers should not panic if people are not occupied the entire day

I am sure there's something personal in why I like this ad so much "" it's the Lays campaign with the father-son tussle for the favourite TV chair.

Needless to say, I identify with this little domestic scenario . That being said, what I really like about the ad is the way it brings up a smile at the end, every time I watch it.

Ok "" so, maybe the product window creeps in a bit too early and a bit too obviously, but it's definitely worth forgiving in such an effective and charming little piece.

Talking about "twists" in storylines, it is something most scriptwriters attempt but very few succeed in doing it. For a surprise to come in at the end naturally yet surprisingly, is a tough act and the Lays commercial does it beautifully.

The father bribing his son with an empty pack of Lays is what you really don't expect to see at the end, but I'm glad the writer wrote it and didn't resort to some sugary sweet alternative. Because truthfully, Dads are not "nurturing Moms" and they do enjoy tripping up their sons, now and then!

And of course, I also like the way they worked their entire story around their international payoff line "" "No one can eat just one". Though an extremely good payoff, none of their previous attempts to prove this point have been as effective as this one. All in all, the Lays TVC does make you look forward to watching it.

What I've learned
All work and no play
During the initial days of my new job, I was left completely to do my own thing. In other words, I was given no work by the company I had joined, so, not knowing what to do, I spent a greater part of my day rooted to my chair, reading everything I could lay my hands on.

The owner of the company happened to pass by, and was pretty stunned to see me doing nothing at all. Shortly after which, I overheard her telling someone, "If he has nothing to do, give him a dictionary and ask him to type it out."

I must confess that I carried this attitude forward with me when I became an employer and I am not proud of it . Because I have been both "" victim and victimiser (if you will)! This is a tendency that most employers acquire. (They can't see their employees sit idle even if there is no work.)

We've had a cook at home for quite a number of years now. And she's led quite a busy life whipping up breakfast, lunch and dinner and everything in between, for a hungry family of five.

Now that the kids are away my wife and I are pretty satisfied with two main meals and more often than not, shy away from dinner. Yet when we see our cook sitting idle, we worry that she has no work to do and ask her to get us dinner anyway.

I can now see that it is a self-defeating tendency. Why don't we just give the poor lady a break? I am sure she will willingly and enthusiastically execute the job after a refreshing pause.

But something in us goads us to get our money's worth, not realising that we will get more than our money's worth if we value the precious breaks that provide crucial revitalising powers for the people we care about. I wish this wisdom had dawned upon me earlier.

Today, I see employers panicking when their people are not occupied the entire day. So they go to great lengths to create "fictitious work" to keep them busy. My advice to them would be, to relax. Let your people enjoy the pauses.

Even if they are just staring out of the window or playing some silly computer game "" let them be, and watch how enthusiastically they will lap up the next job that comes their way.

Email: agkbrandconsult@yahoo.com