How engaging the senses can supercharge business success

Our brain spends a lifetime processing information from our external surroundings to determine whether we’re safe or in a potentially threatening moment. These neural systems are hugely sophisticated and rely on masses of data being received rapidly from all our senses.

For the past 30 years I’ve been particularly fascinated with the way our brain uses sound and how as humans we’ve managed to use this auditory input channel to produce desired behavioural responses — including in business environments. 

Music and sound provide a 360-degree threat detection system that was once vital to the survival of our ancient human ancestors. If the danger was approaching from a direction that was out of vision, our ears gave us early warning so we could initiate a swift response. 

Credit: Maksim Kabakou 

From the wild to the workplace 

Sound also works in partnership with several other senses to help the brain understand what’s going on in our world. This is how we experience life, and the emotions that determine how enjoyable our existence is.  

These sensory input channels to the brain can also be used to help produce optimal environments in workplaces — from offices to shop floors to restaurants. Specific content can be fed through these sensory channels to help the brains of employees and customers feel a certain way.  

Music influences action & mood 

PPL PRS’ recent survey of 2,101 respondents revealed that 94% of UK adults recognise that different types of music can affect their mood in different ways (63% said ‘yes, definitely’ and 31% said ‘yes, sometimes’).

When it comes to shopping or enjoying time in a business like a salon or restaurant, two-thirds (66%) of customers say music influences what they buy (with 27% answering “definitely” and 39% “probably”). At home, 89% of people use certain types of music for specific purposes such as exercising and cooking (48% said ‘all the time’ and 41% said ‘yes, sometimes’). 

The research showcases the power of music. And, scientifically speaking, how our ears can produce particularly profound and immediate neuromodulation effects — with the power to use the sound vibrations they receive to trigger key brain circuits and neurochemicals involved in mood. The ears are a superb entry point to the brain. 

As humans we instinctively know this happens. We know when it’s easy to feel a bit awkward and tense in a silent waiting room or restaurant but contrastingly may feel energised by music in the gym, for example.

This may account for why over two-thirds (67%) of respondents to the PPL PRS survey admitted to leaving a venue after realising no songs were playing — a scenario most common in pubs, where one in five (20%) revellers have chosen the door over a drink after a silent reception.

Our eyes & ears work in harmony 

When music is used well and paired with other sensory stimuli such as light, colour and scent the resulting effects can be amplified. In recent years there’s been increasing scientific interest in the pairing of the ears and eyes — particularly the way that ear drums also respond to eye movement.  

Scent also makes a powerful addition to the multi-sensory cocktail with its ability to reactivate powerful memories from your past. 

Use senses to your advantage in the workplace  

Given that we experience these multi-sensory neural stimulations throughout life, you’d expect it to be simple to get right in workspaces. But it’s often overlooked or sometimes tackled in an unsuitable way. Even companies which have already made great steps in their multi-sensory activations are keen to refine their approaches to further improve the results. 

Music is the glue that can bind all your other sensory stimuli such as colour, light and scent. It surrounds employees and customers; even when they aren’t looking at the speakers, they passively absorb it. So, if you’re focusing on creating an immersive environment that produces a specific effect (be it comfort, motivation or joy) then the blend of sound, lighting, scent, and temperature could give you the marginal gain you’re looking for. 

Start-ups, larger companies and employers alike can gain an immense advantage by using multi-sensory strategies in the design of their workspaces. It could allow your workforce to feel calm, safe and productive. If your business is customer-facing, it can immediately help clientele to decide how they perceive your brand.  

But what do employees think? Music in the workplace is a must 

The PPL PRS survey asked the nation to rank the senses from 1-5 based on how important they are in creating a positive working environment. Sound (specifically ‘music’) and sight (namely ‘colour’) were voted the most powerful for all the right reasons.  

For office-based employees, music has the feel-good factor (32%). People working in public venues like a shop, salon or restaurant also favour a good tune (21%) second only to colours around them (41%).

Music is associated with positivity because it can alleviate anxiety (which Marianne Rizkallah, Music Therapist working on behalf of PPL PRS articulates brilliantly) and supercharge employee productivity.  

Your business will of course require TheMusicLicence, then it’s worth considering your soundtrack. There are three key factors to consider here.