My colleague Stephanie Carlin recently published a great blog post about the benefits of improving the office environment. Read what she has to say about the kinds of work environments employees want, how employers can create more engaging work spaces, and the return employers can realize from making even small work environment changes.
What do a Ferris wheel, a bowling alley, and a rock wall have in common? Believe it or not, these are office luxuries at companies such as Acuity, Infosys, and Adobe Systems. And these add-ons aren’t unusual; there are plenty of organizations that have created jaw-dropping work environments. Need a quick nap at work? No problem, the company Autodesk has rooms designed exclusively for napping. If you enjoy office happy hours consider working at the company Red Frog, which features an in-house bar. For the adventurous employee, the vertical ladder chute at Google might be appealing. The list goes on—whether it’s an onsite masseuse or valet parking, companies are sparing no expense to design work environments that are cutting-edge, fun, and functional. For the employees, it’s practically Christmas every day.
For the organizations, these types of modern day amenities are the gifts that keep on giving. According to an article from The Harvard Business Review (HBR), a cutting-edge office with added extras can improve profits, productivity, and innovation. The Norwegian-based company Telenor, for example, consolidated cafeterias and coffee stations into a state-of-the-art lounge and dining area to promote employee collaboration. The result? Sales increased by 20 percent in just one quarter. Even Santa can’t deliver that kind of magic.
Most importantly, employees put leading-edge offices on their Christmas wish lists. This is particularly true for employees categorized as millennials (employees in their 20s and early 30s). One study found that nine out of 10 millennials want the workplace to be social and fun. These are the employees that you're probably hiring, and considering three out of every four workers will be millennials by 2025, it’s time to pay attention to what makes them tick.
If you’re dreaming of an office makeover this holiday season, the reality is that not every company can provide over-the-top luxuries. But there are some practical things you can do on a smaller budget. If you want to play Santa, here are some ideas to enhance your office environment: https://www.apqc.org/blog/improved-office-environment-gift-keeps-giving
