05/ 16/ 2006
by Jackie Ross
When it comes to important discussions and brainstorming sessions, Patrick Cody is the first one out the door. He's not afraid of conflict or of making decisions-far from it. The founder of Cody Communications, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm, simply finds it more productive to tackle some of his biggest challenges on foot.
"Walking meetings," as Cody calls them, offer an ideal setting for long-term planning, problem solving and conflict resolution with staff and clients, he says. For Cody, it started as a practical solution to his overburdened schedule. "There's just so much to do, so much to fit in, and exercise is one of those things," he says. "Walking while planning seemed like a perfect combination."
After the first few walking meetings with clients, Cody realized additional and even more substantial benefits, including positive feedback from his walking partners. "People are so stressed out, and they get tired of sitting around the conference room or a desk," he says. "If you're tired in the afternoon, walking and talking is a great way to stimulate thoughts, creativity and energy."
The idea of leaving the office for 30 minutes to an hour may sound impossible to many small-business owners, but it hasn't cramped Cody's schedule in the least. On the contrary, he says walking meetings have proven even more efficient than conventional meetings in many cases. "It's no different than closing your door or heading to the conference room. Like any meeting, you have to build in time for socializing. Then you have to cut to the chase and stick to an agenda. At the end, I always recap and discuss next steps. Then I document the discussion when I return to the office."
Mary Frakes came to the same conclusion more than 10 years ago as a corporate vice president. Faced with a major career decision, Frakes took a walk to get some fresh air. What she found was a fresh perspective. "I quickly realized that walking helped me solve problems, think things through," she says. And through that process, her small business, Life Lessons, was born.
The Cambridge, Mass.-based company develops tools to help people balance their personal and professional lives. Frakes was so inspired by her revelation that she also developed MindWalks, a book and program that explores the mental and economic benefits of walking.
Frakes says leaving the office to talk through key issues makes perfect business sense. "Cost-efficiency is critical for small businesses, and entrepreneurs have to be very creative in resolving problems. Walking while meeting is really one of the most practical strategies there is."
Take It Outside
Walking meetings can diffuse difficult conversations
Walking meetings are powerful and effective tools for conflict resolution, particularly for small-business owners with a small staff in tight quarters. "Walking helps people channel tension more productively," Frakes says. "In confronting a problem employee, it may be more helpful to leave that insulated office-setting and go someplace private."
Body language is a second key benefit of walking. "You're walking side by side, and facing forward. It's by definition a less confrontational setup than face-to-face discussions, which put you on opposite sides of the table."
A Little Goes a Long Way
Know a good mechanic? With little relief expected at the pumps, small-business owners, especially those who depend on fleets, need to pay close attention to their vehicles' service schedules.
Simply replacing dirty air filters can increase your gas mileage up to 10 percent.
Keeping tires properly inflated and aligned can increase gas mileage up to 3 percent.
Following your manufacturer's recommendations for engine tune-ups can increase gas mileage up to 4 percent.
