Headstrong Thesis Travis Mathers EE4
Author
Mathers, Travis James
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2017
Submitted on
2017-06-02
Pages
149
Abstract
This thesis originates from the Headstrong venture at Aalborg University and examines how performance priming can be introduced and implemented in Danish corporations to improve performance, reduce stress, and enhance work–life balance. Performance priming is defined as mental exercises that combine core elements of meditation with psychological science to prepare the mind for desired outcomes and day-to-day transitions. The work frames the problem by outlining the substantial costs of stress to Danish companies and presents Headstrong’s product and service concept (including the HeadstrongPro application and consulting), target customers, and go-to-market approach. Methodologically, an eight-week pilot at Neas Energy A/S had volunteer employees practice 10 minutes of daily mindfulness meditation prior to the later shift in focus toward performance priming; self-reported measures of mood, energy, stress, and sleep quality were collected throughout. Preliminary findings support improvements in these factors, albeit with noted caveats, and the pilot was sufficient to secure continued collaboration with the company. The thesis also describes team formation, the role of interns in building the application, and the organizational lessons that inform Headstrong’s subsequent plan and implementation strategy.
Denne afhandling udspringer af iværksætterprojektet Headstrong ved Aalborg Universitet og undersøger, hvordan performance priming bedst kan introduceres og implementeres i danske virksomheder med henblik på at øge præstation, reducere stress og styrke balance mellem arbejde og privatliv. Performance priming forstås her som mentale øvelser, der kombinerer meditationens kerneelementer med psykologisk viden for at forberede sindet på ønskede resultater og kritiske overgange i hverdagen. Afhandlingen rammesætter problemet ved at beskrive de betydelige stressrelaterede omkostninger for danske virksomheder og præsenterer Headstrongs produkt- og servicekoncept (bl.a. applikationen HeadstrongPro og konsulentydelser), målgruppe og go-to-market-tilgang. Som metode gennemførtes en otte ugers pilot i Neas Energy A/S, hvor frivillige medarbejdere praktiserede 10 minutters daglig mindfulnessmeditation før skiftet i fokus til performance priming; der blev løbende indsamlet selvrapporterede data om humør, energiniveau, stress og søvnkvalitet. De foreløbige resultater understøtter hypotesen om forbedringer på disse områder, om end ledsaget af forbehold, og piloten var tilstrækkelig til at sikre videre samarbejde med virksomheden. Afhandlingen beskriver desuden opbygningen af det stiftende team, brugen af praktikanter i udviklingen af applikationen og de organisatoriske erfaringer, der har formet Headstrongs videre plan og implementeringsstrategi.
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