A lot of focus is put on companies that are profitable, or easily recognizable in the global market, because they inevitably have a steady influx of consumers and profit, but what many people miss about those companies is their overwhelming culture of happiness, not only within their ranks, but also within their consumers. A company that is able to spread happiness through the very act of producing, marketing, and selling a product will remain at the top their industry because of an essential facet of human nature, we like to be happy. This sounds simple enough, but if you bought a product and immediately felt worse about yourself, you would most likely choose a different place to spend your money in the future. You might even return it immediately because no one wants the tradeoff of money spent for product received to end in unhappiness.
A company that can master the art of spreading joy and happiness to their consumers has a leg up on every competitor out there. A perfect example is Coca Cola, who has built one of the most widely beloved and hugely consumed products in the world. Every single year, their products are sold to more people in more countries, representing an unrelenting and unmatched level of success that other companies dream of, but never legitimately expect to enjoy. They have made a universally desirable product that cleverly masks its most basic function. It is a beverage, meant to quench thirst, but it has grown into an entire philosophy, and an aura seems to surround the brand and the company because it focuses so closely on making its consumers happy. Even its slogans speak to this underlying need, as though the simple act of drinking a Coke will improve the quality of your life. The most amazing thing is, by creating a company culture and a brand reputation for happiness, it does feel better to purchase a Coke than almost any other competing beverage. People are swayed by brands, and powerful brand recognition is one of the most significant things that a company requires.
Creating an atmosphere of pleasure and enjoyment is an extremely valuable tool for any company, particularly when it comes from an honest interest in making the lives of your consumers better, richer, and more enjoyable. In the competitive world of modern business, being able to appeal to something deeper than cost effectiveness or functionality is priceless. By establishing that reputation in the marketplace, your company will have the freedom to experiment with more innovative ideas, explore new avenues for success within your industry, and have the flexibility and trust of your consumers so they won’t abandon you because of the promises of a competitor. The happiness effect is one of the major, overarching aspects of my book, Happy Company, which outlines a comprehensive strategy for increasing the happiness of your company by focusing on the workers, customers, stakeholders, and company vision as a way to bring consistent and long-lasting success.
