STEVEN Broomhead explains why a smile is so important in business

THE 40,000 happy revellers who experienced the Neighbourhood Weekender 2019 were part of a growing national ‘Happiness Industry’.

The social, community and economic impact of the event are yet to be evaluated but on first pass it appears it was a great success and contributed well to our economy and our collective wellbeing.

Of course there were some local disruptive impacts which I believe this year were effectively managed. The event itself was a welcome relief to the polarising outcomes of the Euro Elections. Happiness in it is various guises is now no longer a pleasant add on to business successes.

It now has an important role in economic management. A successful economy depends on our ability to combat stress, misery and illness and replace them with relaxation, togetherness and wellness.

The opinion polling company Gallup has estimated that the unhappiness of employees cost the US economy $500 million in lost production, lost tax receipts and health care costs.

A survey in 2016 suggested that 72 per cent of the world is overwhelmingly happy and laugh a lot in any given day. I’ve suggested before that a successful Wire RL team has a positive impact on our economy. Happy people are more motivated, productive and healthy.

A growing number of larger companies now have chief happiness officers or ‘jolly good fellows’ to spread mindfulness and empathy. Happiness consultants are now engaged to cheer up employees.

In the next few months there are many other opportunities such as Lymm Festival, carnivals, the Mela and events at Walton Hall and Bank Park for communities to come together to relax. Aristotle described happiness as the ultimate purpose of human beings. Weekender and victory at Anfield and Hull KR certainly did this for me ­– I hope the feeling lasts!