In a previous post I spoke about the noise level with many businesses. I have reached the point where I wouldn't even want to work for business or organization where I must listen to music all day long. Don't get me wrong, I love music and I feel passionate about it. However, too much music is hardly a good thing and can lead to fatigue.
As this topic has occupied my brain for some time, today when I was placed on hold for a company I called and had to listen to the company's advertisements and music blasts, I decided to write this post for businesses who still don't get the concept of silence. And then they wonder why 15 minutes later (hold time) they deal with irate customers. I would like to see the psychological studies that prove that customers enjoy staying on hold while having advertisements blasted in their ears along with music they might have never liked in the first place. And who decides the best music for the diverse customers or clients who phone a company or organization?
Even with my love of music, I want to be the one who chooses what I expose myself to. I want to be the one who chooses what I listen to and when and I will actually favor a business that understands the concept of silence (a commodity these days) over a business who forces me into a sonic environment against my will.
10 Ways Businesses Can
Improve Their Sonic Environment
1. Replace 1960s-80s pop and
rock music with ambient sounds such as birds singing, chimes or silence
2. Replace pop or rock music
on phone systems with silence or chamber music
3. Replace corporate ads with
silence on phone systems (you’ll end up with happy customers on the other end
who were placed on hold for over 10 minutes)
4. Salons and spas can go
with ambient nature sounds or sound healing CDs which are relaxing for your
clients
5. Try silence or chamber
music in medical or dental waiting rooms
6. Avoid commercial radio
stations at all businesses and especially avoid news stations which are
depressing
7. Record stores can play
what ever music they choose, but at a lower volume so that customers can think
while they shop
8. Classical or jazz music works
best for bookstores, restaurants and cafes
9. If you want calm customers
play calming music
10. If you’re not in the
business of selling music then opt for silence, something that is underrated
and much appreciated in this hyped up and chaotic noisy world.
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