Rob
if you want to get their attention then all you need to say is
"I increase business profitability and ensure a better ROI."
Exactly ten words that will get the attention of any business man.
Once you've got his attention then you can take 100 words to tell him how
you do it. Then and only then will you be given the opportunity to talk
about important things like safety and legislation, safe working practices
and productivity, health and absenteeism etc.
Yes we ergonomist work for the good of people. No one except government
bodies will pay us to do it if that's the only reason. Unfortunately, as
with most things in the Western World there has to be a business
justification and that's all business people usually care about. They are
not altruists and we shouldn't expect them to act as if they are. Good
consultancy including ergonomics provides a business pay back and hopefully
improves the "workers lot" at the same time.
Dermot Browne
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From: Rob Vellinga[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 05 January 1999 17:15
To: Ergonomics Mailbase
Subject: Specific benefit of Ergonomics (in 10 words or less)
Each time that I am asked, "So, what do you do?", I struggle with the
answer.
Yes, I KNOW what I do as an Ergonomist, but how do I convey that to dinner
guests, neighbours, assembly-line workers, engineering managers, and the
CEO of a company I'm marketing to? From personal conversations with other
Ergonomists and Consultants, I know that I am not alone.
As Ergonomists we apply a science that is human-centred. Humans are less
than predictable, multifarious, and influenced by many external
circumstances. Working for the benefit of people is both the 'joy' of this
profession and the challenge.
It is difficult to filter all that we do into a clear, concise, impacting
statement. However, the success of ergonomics depends on it. If we
ergonomics practitioners cannot tell the world what we do, in a way that
they can grasp it, use it and promote it, then we cannot make long term,
prevailing improvements for people.
The question is.......
In ten (10) words or less, what is the specific, real, tangible benefit of
ergonomics?
__________________________
Rob Vellinga
Ergonomist / Consultant
Guelph, ON CANADA
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