What if your team could get more done, feel less stressed, and enjoy their work more – in just six weeks?
That’s exactly what happened at Salomaa Group. After completing the Focus Tiger program, 100% of participants reduced multitasking, 92% improved stress management, 92% reported higher job satisfaction, and 92% gained more productive hours in their day.
“Effectiveness comes from doing things wisely. We believe that responsible leadership is an essential part of our company culture. We invest in developing skills and well-being, which is reflected in strong employee commitment, positive employee experience, sustainable careers, and productive work.”
– Mari Svahn, Chief HR Officer at Salomaa Group
Multitasking in knowledge work
Multitasking, switching from one task to another rapidly, is common in knowledge work, often perceived as efficient. In reality, it leads to decreased productivity, increased stress, and long-term harm to brain health. Studies show that multitasking can be as harmful to the brain as smoking is to the lungs*. It disrupts attention, weakens memory, and contributes to chronic stress and brain fog.
Decline in focus capacity
In just ten years, our average attention span has dropped from three minutes to a mere 44 seconds. Constant digital distractions, social media, and the “always available” culture make sustained focus increasingly difficult. Yet, the ability to concentrate is vital, not only for performance but also for mental well-being.
Everyday solutions for better focus
Small, practical actions can have a major impact, for example:
- Turning off app notifications
- Using earplugs to reduce interruptions
- Scheduling regular distraction-free work periods
Additionally, healthy routines like exercise, sleep, balanced nutrition, and social connection are essential for brain recovery and cognitive function.
The approach: Salomaa group’s brain health month
As Finland’s largest marketing and communications group, Salomaa Group (SEK, Dagmar, Quru, Kaski Creative Agency, RADLY, Salomaa Yhtiöt) recognizes that employee focus and well-being are critical to long-term success.
In 2024, the group launched a company-wide theme month on brain health. Employees explored the connections between lifestyle and cognitive performance, with sessions on sleep, exercise, nutrition, and recovery. Brain-challenging activities such as puzzles and crosswords were placed in break rooms to encourage playful stimulation.
The tool: Focus Tiger for sustainable change
As part of the brain health month, Salomaa Group offered employees access to the Focus Tiger program. The program educated participants about the cognitive costs of multitasking and equipped them with simple, science-based strategies for improving focus.
The impact was measurable
- 100 % of participants reduced multitasking
- 92 % of participants improved their stress management skills
- 92 % of participants reported increased job satisfaction
- 92% of participants reported an increase in their productive working hours
Conclusion: From awareness to action
Salomaa Group’s approach shows how organizations can shift from awareness to action in cultivating a focus-friendly workplace. By combining brain science with concrete tools and supportive company culture, it’s possible to create lasting improvements in both employee well-being and performance.
*According to Sandra Bond Chapman, PhD, Center for BrainHealth
The text’s based on the article featured in Telma Magazine (2/2025).
Discover how Focus Tiger could support your team’s focus habits.
