A few years ago, my client Renishaw introduced me to their ‘company walk’: not a Monty Python-esque affectation, but an informal practice that has become part of that organisation’s HQ culture. It struck me as a simple step to aid physical and mental wellbeing.
The HQ site
contains a range of offices, labs and manufacturing facilities. It takes 10-15
minutes to walk around the perimeter path (depending on your pace!). During my
visits, I would often see people following that path, particularly at
lunchtime: in groups, in pairs or on their own.
This, I was
told, is the company walk. People use it to exercise, to hold walking meetings
or simply to disconnect from their desk or lab bench. I tried it myself on a
few occasions with my clients. Not only did we develop a few ideas as we
strolled around the site, we also returned to the office refreshed and
re-focused for the rest of the day.
Although
this HQ is a self-contained site, I can see the idea working just as well in a
city, with a route embracing some quiet streets and/or local landmarks.
Sometimes,
simple and effective solutions are right in front of us.
