WHAT’S INANAME? HOWCREATIVE JOB TITLES CAN BOOST JOB SATISFACTION
Did you know that job titles can influence job satisfaction? Recent research suggests people who have creative job titles — those that go beyond the standard “account manager” or “office administrator” or just about anything else — feel their work is more appreciated. Creative job titles can even have a positive influence on recruitment and organizational growth, as well as productivity. In a study published in 2014, Dan Cable, a professor at London Business School, took a close look at job titles. In the study, he used the Make-A-Wish Foundation as the chief example. At the foundation, employees can assign themselves a creative job title, which they use in addition to their official titles. As part of the study, Cable enlisted the help of a hospital. Using the Make-A- Wish approach, he asked a set of hospital employees to come up with new titles. There was also a control group of people who were not asked to change their titles. A nurse who was known for giving immunization shots became “quick shot.” An infectious disease specialist became “germ slayer.” The employees had five weeks to try out their new titles. When Cable returned to the hospital, he discovered changes in the group with creative titles. Compared to people in the control group, they were less emotionally drained and felt their work was more appreciated. Since the study, Cable has continued coaching businesses on job titles. His work with a brewery also produced positive results. When they switched to creative job titles, job satisfaction went up 16 percent over a three-month period.
Does this mean creative job titles can work for your organization? Possibly, but you have to make sure the job titles fit within the context of your organization — they have to make sense. For businesses where client sensitivity and professionalism are top priorities, creative job titles might not be the best fit. Consider Cable’s two-step titling method: 1). Identify your job’s full purpose and your identity within the organization. 2). Come up with titles using that information and speak with coworkers, managers, and others to come up with potential titles. Pick what fits while having a little fun. Once implemented, changes will be subtle, but over a period of a few weeks to a few months, you may notice an increase in job satisfaction. If you want to quantify employee satisfaction, send out a satisfaction survey before the title change and then the same survey three months later.
SUDOKU
TIRAMISU
Inspired by foodnetwork.com
INGREDIENTS
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6 egg yolks
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2 teaspoons dark rum 24 packaged ladyfingers 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish
3 tablespoons sugar
1 pound mascarpone cheese 1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to beat together egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. 2. Add mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth. 3. Fold in 1 tablespoon of espresso. 4. In a small, shallow dish, combine remaining espresso with rum. Dip each ladyfinger into mixture for 5 seconds. Place soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of a walled baking dish. 5. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture on top of the first layer of ladyfingers. Top with another layer of ladyfingers and another layer of mascarpone. 6. Cover and refrigerate 2–8 hours. 7. Remove from fridge, sprinkle with chocolate shavings, and serve.
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