Recently, high-voltage power lines crossing our golf course required maintenance. Several holes were unavailable, as construction work was needed. It threatened to mess up the game, were it not that coordination was crystal clear. And then I realized this isn’t uncommon for golf. It’s an incredibly visual sports activity. Players know that colored stakes show them exactly what (not) to do. So when blue stakes started popping up around the golf course, everyone knew what it meant: ground under repair.
Colors: the player’s do’s and don’ts
Golf is a precision game. You need to get to the hole as fast as you can. So, clarity is key. It helps you navigate the golf course and enjoy the game.
Color-coding is the means to this end. The use of blue, white, red, and yellow stakes creates an overview — during construction and business-as-usual times.
By marking the playing field, you set people in the right direction. Colors represent do’s and don’ts, and players know the rules. This system enables them to get them most out of themselves and play a great round of golf.
How to empower employees using colors
Let’s talk customer contact centers. A number-ridden performance board might seem impressive, but it will only elicit confusion. If agents are inundated with data, they can’t see the forest for the trees. And they won’t be able to do anything with the information you share.
In previous blog posts, we discussed that all data you share through Visual Management should be actionable. On top of that, it’s paramount that a single glance at the performance board tells employees everything they need to know. The work floor isn’t much different from the golf course. Here, too, color-coding helps people navigate the place, thus empowering them. In this case, though, they’ll be better able to do their jobs. How?
If you assign meaning to each color, you’ll create clarity. If you only show relevant, at-a-glance data, employees can use it to make well-informed decisions on the spot!
Want to explore your Visual Management opportunities? Please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to perform a Quick Scan and discuss your information sharing strategy.