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Casual Articles - Maslow on My Mind: How Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Affects Business and Society
Although it has been talked about again and again in business circles, the 80/20 rule never ceases to amaze me. You may be amazed too. If you're not up to speed on the 80/20 Rule yet, read on. You may also know it as the ‘Pareto Principle' after Vilfredo Pareto who made the interesting discovery that people seemed to split into the top 20% ‘movers and shakers' (both monetary and influentially) and the bottom 80% who could be defined as ‘followers'. This was just the start though, as through further research he (and others) discovered that most economic activity followed this model as well.One thing I noticed years ago, when I worked in manufacturing distribution was that 20% of our distributors were responsible for 80 % of the sales throughout the UK. That, additionally, 20% of the distributors were responsible for 80% of the headaches! Having worked with many other businesses too it is also rather uncanny but interesting to note that:20% of your sales team are likely to be accountable for 80 % of your sales results20% of your own time is likely to give you 80% of your productive results each day20% of your own client base will account for 80% of your sales20% of your products will return 80% of your profits20% of your own client base will likely give you 80% of your daily/weekly hassle!20% of each of your team member's time is likely to give 80% of their results tooThe list goes on and on and becomes more interesting as we look more deeply into each business model. Interesting because once we focus on these areas within our businesses you may find that you start to see patterns emerge that you hadn't noticed before...So how could this principle be really powerful for you? Imagine, for a moment, if it were possible for you to be another person looking at your own business from the ‘outside in'. A third party look at your business, your team and yourself, if you like.Consider three headings: ‘my business', ‘myself' and ‘my team' and under each heading (bearing in mind the examples given above) how many variations of the 80/20 rule can you spot in your business
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has had a dramatic influence on the field of education. Traditional beliefs regarding educational methodology have shifted to a more humanistic approach, with the focus on meeting the students' basic needs in order to assist them to progress.
The most important goal in education is to learn, followed by developing an understanding of the material to retain it, and apply it in life. In order to do this, the students need to be motivated enough to work hard to achieve this goal. Without motivation to learn it is unlikely that the education will succeed to the extent that it is intended.
In order to maximize this motivational desire, the educators need to attend to the needs of the student. By understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, teachers can
Do your customers see you often enough? Do you have a regular system of contact that makes sure your products and services are consistently in front of your customers? Businesses lose out on more sales than they know because their customers forget about them.Experts say it takes 7 contacts to turn someone from a stranger into a customer. But don’t stop making contact after you’ve made the first sale. The first sale should be the foundation for a real relationship between you and your customers. And relationship selling is in many ways the easiest: you know the customers’needs, often before they do, and your customers feel comfortable going to you when they have needs.I believe a certain amount of our business should come just because we are the most visible vendor on our customers’ radar. We keep our products and services in front of customers, which makes us the easiest and most convenient choice. Here are a few ways you can keep your business in your customers’ line of sight:1) Acknowledge customer milestones. When something important happens for a customer, congratulate them. Did they successfully introduce a new product into the market? Did their corporate VP get an award for industry excellence? These are great opportunities to show these customers that you are paying attention to what’s important to them.2) Keep them informed about your company’s big events. Are you putting out a product that one of your potential customers might need? Have you expanded your service so that your customer can get product sooner than before? Customers can’t take advantage of your superior product or service unless they know about it. Use some sort of regular communication, like a newsletter, to let your customers know what you have to offer.3) Technology is your friend! Many companies are having success with newer forms of communication, like blogs and podcasts. The secrets for using these to reach customers are simple: pick topics that interest your customers, and keep your posts and podcasts short, informative, and on topic.4) Short and simple is good. Not every contact with your customers needs to be elaborate and involved. A sim
Abraham Maslow was born in New York in 1908 to poor, uneducated Russian immigrants. He was the oldest of seven children, and therefore pushed by his parents to succeed in education where they had not. Originally studying to be a lawyer, he found it to be of little interest and eventually shifted over to psychology where he excelled. Maslow went on to receive his PhD in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, under the tutelage of Harry Harlow, famous for experimentation with rhesus monkeys and attachment behavior. After some time he returned to New York and began studying human sexuality. In addition to this study, during the years of teaching, he had the opportunity to meet many well-respected psychologists which further helped to shape his thoughts on the human needs. The final event which led Maslow to move in the humanistic direction came from the study of the development of the concept of "self-actualization". It was this study that led Maslow to develop his famous Hierarchy of Needs Theory.[1]
Food for thought: What humans really need
Until Maslow began to develop his theories, most studies on human nature focused on biology, achievement or power to explain the forces that drive us.
Maslow postulated that there were five levels of basic needs that every human attempts to attain: Externally-Satisfied Needs (basic needs that every individual must satisfy before they can progress).
1. Physiological - I'm hungry.
2. Safety - I'm scared.
Internally-Satisfied Needs (needs leading to enlightenment and understanding.
3. Social - I'm lonely.
4. Esteem - I can't.
5. Self Actualization - I can!
In the 1970s, Maslow further split this hierarchy up into a total of eight levels:[2]
1) Physiological: hunger, thirst, bodily comforts, etc.;
2) Safety/security: out of danger;
3) Belonging and Love: affiliate with others, be accepted; and
4) Esteem: to achieve, be competent, gain approval and recognition.
5) Cognitive: to know, to understand, and explore; (new)
6) Aesthetic: symmetry, order, and beauty; (new)
7) Self-actualization: to find self-fulfillment and realize one's potential; and
8) Self-transcendence: to connect to something beyond the ego or to help others find self-fulfillment and realize their potential. (new) (This concept is relatively new and many authors such as Dr. Stephen covey express similar views.)[3]
Another way to look at the Needs is to break it into "D-Needs" (Deficiency) and "B-Needs" (Being). Maslow believed that the deficiency needs, once satisfied ceased to be a driving force for the individual, and they were then free to move upward to developing themselves.
If we follow the traditional hierarchical form, we can see that each need forms the basis of the next need above it in the pyramid. Without these previous foundations, Maslow believed that it is impossible to move on to the next stage in the hierarchy.[4]
In spite of the fact that it is very well-known and intrinsically comforting, there seems to be little hard evidence that the theory actually applies to people in general. Even Maslow admitted to this.[5]
A learning experience
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has had a dramatic influence on the field of education. Traditional beliefs regarding educational methodology have shifted to a more humanistic approach, with the focus on meeting the students' basic needs in order to assist them to progress.
The most important goal in education is to learn, followed by developing an understanding of the material to retain it, and apply it in life. In order to do this, the students need to be motivated enough to work hard to achieve this goal. Without motivation to learn it is unlikely that the education will succeed to the extent that it is intended.
In order to maximize this motivational desire, the educators need to attend to the needs of the student. By understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, teachers can
Procurement can be defined as the purchase of merchandise or services at the optimum possible total cost in the correct amount and quality. These good and services are also purchased at the correct time and location for the express gain or use of government, company, business, or individuals by signing a contract.The process of acquisition of goods or services required as raw material (direct procurement) or for operational purposes (indirect procurement) for a company or a person can be called procurement. The procurement process not only involves the purchasing of commodities but also quality and quantity checks. Usually, suppliers are listed and pre-determined by the procuring company. This makes the process smoother, promoting a good business relationship between the buyer and the supplier.The synonyms for procurement, which are gain, purchase, buy, and acquire, can throw light on the meaning of procurement. The process of procurement may differ from company to company, and a government institution may have a slightly different procurement process compared to a private company.Procurement can also be simply defined as the procedure in which goods or commodities are bought when prices are low. Procurement is advantageous if the goods are bought in bulk. E-procurement is another method in which the electronic media is used for acquiring or purchasing goods. Everything is processed electronically, from the search for the right bidder to the delivery and payoff.The procurement procedure may differ according to the product and the uses of the product. Healthcare equipment needs to be efficient and reliable, and the procurement process is carried out meticulously in order to avoid the purchase of faulty apparatus. Another important factor that is usually included in the definitions of procurement is the amount in which the product is bought. This is important because the amounts of goods bought are inversely proportional to their cost.Thus, procurement is a process that is carried out by almost every company and individual for its own personal gain or for profits, which involves buying of commodities by choosing the appropriate bidder.
Food for thought: What humans really need
Until Maslow began to develop his theories, most studies on human nature focused on biology, achievement or power to explain the forces that drive us.
Maslow postulated that there were five levels of basic needs that every human attempts to attain: Externally-Satisfied Needs (basic needs that every individual must satisfy before they can progress).
1. Physiological - I'm hungry.
2. Safety - I'm scared.
Internally-Satisfied Needs (needs leading to enlightenment and understanding.
3. Social - I'm lonely.
4. Esteem - I can't.
5. Self Actualization - I can!
In the 1970s, Maslow further split this hierarchy up into a total of eight levels:[2]
1) Physiological: hunger, thirst, bodily comforts, etc.;
2) Safety/security: out of danger;
3) Belonging and Love: affiliate with others, be accepted; and
4) Esteem: to achieve, be competent, gain approval and recognition.
5) Cognitive: to know, to understand, and explore; (new)
6) Aesthetic: symmetry, order, and beauty; (new)
7) Self-actualization: to find self-fulfillment and realize one's potential; and
8) Self-transcendence: to connect to something beyond the ego or to help others find self-fulfillment and realize their potential. (new) (This concept is relatively new and many authors such as Dr. Stephen covey express similar views.)[3]
Another way to look at the Needs is to break it into "D-Needs" (Deficiency) and "B-Needs" (Being). Maslow believed that the deficiency needs, once satisfied ceased to be a driving force for the individual, and they were then free to move upward to developing themselves.
If we follow the traditional hierarchical form, we can see that each need forms the basis of the next need above it in the pyramid. Without these previous foundations, Maslow believed that it is impossible to move on to the next stage in the hierarchy.[4]
In spite of the fact that it is very well-known and intrinsically comforting, there seems to be little hard evidence that the theory actually applies to people in general. Even Maslow admitted to this.[5]
A learning experience
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has had a dramatic influence on the field of education. Traditional beliefs regarding educational methodology have shifted to a more humanistic approach, with the focus on meeting the students' basic needs in order to assist them to progress.
The most important goal in education is to learn, followed by developing an understanding of the material to retain it, and apply it in life. In order to do this, the students need to be motivated enough to work hard to achieve this goal. Without motivation to learn it is unlikely that the education will succeed to the extent that it is intended.
In order to maximize this motivational desire, the educators need to attend to the needs of the student. By understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, teachers can
RFID labels, I hear the term but what does it mean and should I be thinking of using it for my business? RFID is a radio frequency identification . Every product is identified somehow. A sign, a label, a barcode label and an RFID label are all different ways to identify product. Which one should I chose? If I own a lemonade stand chances are I'll make a sign to describe what's in the pitcher. If I manufacture gum, chances are that my label will have words to tell the consumer what it is, and a bar code for the cash register scanner to identify the product and price. RFID uses radio frequencies to transmit data to a reader which captures the data. The reader takes the digital information and downloads it to it's computer so the data may be used and interpreted.RFID tags or labels contain a micro chip which can store about 2KB of data. This allows you to store more than just it's SKU and price. You can store other important information like which manufacturing plant it comes from, the date it was manufactured and expiration date to name a few. why do we want to capture this information in this way. Business today is about profit, streamlining and being the most productive you can be. If we can capture this data instantly then we can analyze it and make the right decisions quicker and more accurately. If we can reduce manual operations, we increase efficiency and reduce the chance for human errors, either by careless mistakes or wrong assumptions.This sounds like a great system so why isn't everybody using it? It's not because it's a new technolgy because it isn't. Why the change now? It has been around since atleast the 70's and was primarily used in the army. The reason it hasn't become the accepted norm is the cost. The readers alone can cost $1000.00 each and the labels themselves are considerably more expensive than bar code labels. Without mass acceptance and technological advancements this technology was not thought of as a viable alternative.Why the change now? Basically it comes down to one word, Walmart. Walmart has grown into such a huge company that to manage it's logistics and supply chain it has become essential to be the most efficient and streamlined
3. Social - I'm lonely.
4. Esteem - I can't.
5. Self Actualization - I can!
In the 1970s, Maslow further split this hierarchy up into a total of eight levels:[2]
1) Physiological: hunger, thirst, bodily comforts, etc.;
2) Safety/security: out of danger;
3) Belonging and Love: affiliate with others, be accepted; and
4) Esteem: to achieve, be competent, gain approval and recognition.
5) Cognitive: to know, to understand, and explore; (new)
6) Aesthetic: symmetry, order, and beauty; (new)
7) Self-actualization: to find self-fulfillment and realize one's potential; and
8) Self-transcendence: to connect to something beyond the ego or to help others find self-fulfillment and realize their potential. (new) (This concept is relatively new and many authors such as Dr. Stephen covey express similar views.)[3]
Another way to look at the Needs is to break it into "D-Needs" (Deficiency) and "B-Needs" (Being). Maslow believed that the deficiency needs, once satisfied ceased to be a driving force for the individual, and they were then free to move upward to developing themselves.
If we follow the traditional hierarchical form, we can see that each need forms the basis of the next need above it in the pyramid. Without these previous foundations, Maslow believed that it is impossible to move on to the next stage in the hierarchy.[4]
In spite of the fact that it is very well-known and intrinsically comforting, there seems to be little hard evidence that the theory actually applies to people in general. Even Maslow admitted to this.[5]
A learning experience
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has had a dramatic influence on the field of education. Traditional beliefs regarding educational methodology have shifted to a more humanistic approach, with the focus on meeting the students' basic needs in order to assist them to progress.
The most important goal in education is to learn, followed by developing an understanding of the material to retain it, and apply it in life. In order to do this, the students need to be motivated enough to work hard to achieve this goal. Without motivation to learn it is unlikely that the education will succeed to the extent that it is intended.
In order to maximize this motivational desire, the educators need to attend to the needs of the student. By understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, teachers can
There are ten fundamental premises that will determine your overall management success. Before we get to the five biggest challenges facing managers I thought I would give you the ten since thet are closely related.1. When you have an issue, problem, failure, dysfunction or whatever – any - where in the organization – look up the ladder for the cause and down the ladder for the solution.2. Everything that happens in an organization is the direct or indirect result of that organization’s culture, philosophy and core beliefs.3.You get the behavior you reward.4. Effective management is not about the latest fad or philosophy. It is about a fundament trust and respect for people and treating them accordingly.5. Growing a business is not hard and it should be fun for everyone.6. Integrity and ethics must be the foundation for all of your decisions and actions.7. If you want effective and productive employees you must see employee development as an investment and not a cost8. What employees want to be motivated and performance driven is appreciation, recognition, validation and to feel important and to feel like they belong.9. The job of management is not to motivate employees but to create a positive motivational climate where employees take responsibility for their own motivation and performance.10. You are responsible to your employees and not for them.Here are the five biggest challenges today. They are;·Corporate culture. Corporate, organization and department culture all flows from the top down. The written and unwritten rules, policies and philosophy of a manager or the organization all eventually find their way into the attitudes and performance of almost everyone in the organization. One of the critical things to remember when dealing with people is: you get the behavior you reward. If the culture directly or indirectly rewards a certain type of attitude or behavior, you are, by your actions or inactions, probably reaffirming that these are acceptable. If you want to change behavior, you must first evaluate the culture that is in place that may be rewarding the type of behavior you are
Another way to look at the Needs is to break it into "D-Needs" (Deficiency) and "B-Needs" (Being). Maslow believed that the deficiency needs, once satisfied ceased to be a driving force for the individual, and they were then free to move upward to developing themselves.
If we follow the traditional hierarchical form, we can see that each need forms the basis of the next need above it in the pyramid. Without these previous foundations, Maslow believed that it is impossible to move on to the next stage in the hierarchy.[4]
In spite of the fact that it is very well-known and intrinsically comforting, there seems to be little hard evidence that the theory actually applies to people in general. Even Maslow admitted to this.[5]
A learning experience
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has had a dramatic influence on the field of education. Traditional beliefs regarding educational methodology have shifted to a more humanistic approach, with the focus on meeting the students' basic needs in order to assist them to progress.
The most important goal in education is to learn, followed by developing an understanding of the material to retain it, and apply it in life. In order to do this, the students need to be motivated enough to work hard to achieve this goal. Without motivation to learn it is unlikely that the education will succeed to the extent that it is intended.
In order to maximize this motivational desire, the educators need to attend to the needs of the student. By understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, teachers can
“Inspiration” is defined as a sudden intuition or light that gives a solution for a problem. Having an inspiration is always beneficial because it makes you look forward for the betterment of your career and for your life. The light of inspiration is always triggered by a spark inside each individual. It must be ignited to continuously motivate a person to take the necessary path, which is aligned to the person’s deepest interest and passion in life. Hence, each individual must protect the spark of inspiration from the distractions that stands before them.Here are some reminders to keep the spark in you, alive.1. Always look for new interests, ideas, hobby, routine or activity. Do not dismiss anything until you have fully explored the possibilities it entails.2. Do no forget to pursue other things aside from your work. Sometimes people get too exhausted from work that they don’t have time to do other things that equally matter.3.Clich? as it may sound but remember to live life to the fullest. Stay away from doing routines by making each day more exciting than the last. Have a break whenever you could, and continuously live up your life, but not in a mediocre type.4.Do not be afraid of making changes and doing something that takes an extra effort. Becoming complacent with work or life will get you nowhere while doing random things adds excitement and bursts pleasant surprises. Be impulsive sometimes to know what are the things that you’re capable of, perhaps it will make you a better person eventually.5.Be with people who exudes positive vibe because those are the individuals who you can share inspiring ideas, exciting dreams and take new directions. Exercise can also produce endorphines that naturally makes you happy, if you’re stress this will makes you feel better.6.Nurture the courage to live your dreams and aspiration. Each person might have a dream as simple or big as it is, but not everyone pursue it. In the words of Bill Shankly, “Aim for the sky and you’ll reach the ceiling. Aim for the ceiling and you’ll stay on the floor.”7.Always follow what you want to do rather than what your supposed to do because family, friends or
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has had a dramatic influence on the field of education. Traditional beliefs regarding educational methodology have shifted to a more humanistic approach, with the focus on meeting the students' basic needs in order to assist them to progress.
The most important goal in education is to learn, followed by developing an understanding of the material to retain it, and apply it in life. In order to do this, the students need to be motivated enough to work hard to achieve this goal. Without motivation to learn it is unlikely that the education will succeed to the extent that it is intended.
In order to maximize this motivational desire, the educators need to attend to the needs of the student. By understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, teachers can work toward realizing the basic needs that develop the foundation for higher learning, or actualization.
Here is an example of how the school can meet the basic needs of the students:
If the school understands that in order to function at school, students need the basic physiological needs satisfied before they can absorb their studies, they may consider providing lunches if a great deal of the students do not have their own. This would then propel the learners to the next level. By fostering a trusting, safe environment, with a classroom social network, and providing praise in the form of positive reinforcement from the teachers, the students will be able to focus on their learning.[6]
A real example that has come up near the end of the 20th century with respect to this is the problems that have arisen due to the beliefs on "special education". During the 70s and 80s when where the traditional beliefs of segregating children with special needs (physical, intellectual, or emotional) was employed in the school system anomalies arose that called into question these beliefs. It was believed that by placing these students in separate learning atmospheres they would be able to learn at a pace more appropriate to their abilities, receive special attention and eventually progress through the system to receive the same education at the end of the program. As it turns out, this did not happen and the children’s learning was hampered.[7]
Managing expectations
Focusing on such human needs for successful motivation can very easily be ported over to the business world and applied in the field of Management. In fact, Maslow himself became fascinated with the field of management and attempted to explain the ability of good managers to motivate their employees using a solid understanding of the Hierarch of Needs. He even went so far as to regularly visit a high-tech company in California to study the management practices in the 1960s. Maslow discovered that managers who treat their subordinates with trust and respect created an environment that promoted a better work situation and improved productivity.
Peter Drucker, the famous management guru has said that "Maslow's contribution to management was a big one. He pointed out hat you have to have different personnel policies for different people in different situations for them to be truly effective."[8]
Why 'Y'?
Theories X and Y, as developed by Douglas McGregor fit very nicely into the Needs Theory. If humans are intrinsically searching for something to help propel them to the next level, and have an internal desire to progress, and give back to society, as is believed by the followers of "Theory Y", then it goes to reason that the humanistic approach, as laid out by Maslow would assist these individuals in reaching their goals. If we believe that human nature responds best to a positive, nurturing atmosphere, then managers that hold the following beliefs with respect to their staff should be able to raise them up higher in an attempt to improve productivity, and the individual goals of the worker:
1. Employees view work as natural.
2. Commitment to goals leads to self-direction and self-control.
3. People will look fo
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