Think, as if there is No Box

The title itself is self explanatory. Do I need to tell more. Ah, sorry, it’s just that I am quite tired. Made this site in a whisk of time (which apparently was not the situation).

Well, not being more vague, let me share a real story.

Years back, there was a 15 storied, lean, tall building, “Hughes Estates”, sandwiched  between another two gigantic buildings. The building had different offices given on lease and a helluva of  employees working.

The building started with a couple of companies. With time, the size and the number of companies increased but the building remained of same size (pretty obvious). The building had only one lift which served all the floors. In the days of its inception it sufficed the need of the employees. But later, after more people started using it, the lift was being stopped at almost all levels. The lift appeared no less than a city transport bus. Well, the bullet train ride days were gone. People used to get more frustrated while waiting for the lift. It created discussions leading to arguments and further is understandable.

The issue was raised by the employees to their supervisors and subsequently, to the builder. The suggestion was to install more number of lifts.

However, this was not possible as there was no space in the building, even for an another lift. Now the creative minds started to pour in suggestions. Some suggested to make lift working for only higher floors, and some suggested different office timings to control rush of peak hours. Few suggested that the lift should be used only for going up and not to be used while coming down. However these ideas couldn’t be proceeded ahead with. And the idea of different shift timings, was rejected instantly (as people back then, had life).

There were few vague ideas as well. Like breaking the walls of adjacent building and merging it with Hughes Estate, using Bungee jumping and paragliding for coming down and so on. Among those ideas there was a suggestion given by a genius guy (just like me), which was implemented. And it is being used even today.

The idea was to install mirrors near the lifts.

What did it do? Well, it reduced the arguments and discussions which took place were like, “How am I looking today?”, “Am I looking fat in this dress?”, “Bro, do you think I need to change my hairstyle”, “Oh, my tie is not in the right place” etc.

It made people busy; busy with themselves. Now they could stand for hours looking at themselves. Also it allowed them to have a glance of their crushes, standing in front of them, via reflection (8th standard physics I guess). Though many times the bosses shared glances with their employees signalling, “You are late again, meet me in my cabin”.

The idea was so effective that it became popular everywhere. And of course, it is being used even today. However we have modern adaptations as well now, like playing music, installing a TV etc.

Without spending any huge money the issue was resolved. And it was possible just by thinking out of the box, or perhaps, thinking as if there was no box.