With companies like Google and Facebook routinely being voted as some of the best employers in the world, worker’s surging satisfaction levels, and the results they produce being born out of passion, it’s easy to see that Silicon Valley’s residents are doing something right. Keeping your workforce happy is one of the most important aspects of modern management. In an office or other workspace, people can’t be bullied or forced to work, and you have to encourage them through the right kinds of tools.
Creating a workspace which your employees love requires a balance. Not only does it have to be filled with things which entertain, but it also has to boost productivity and help your workers to keep driving themselves forward. To help you out with this, the post will be exploring some of the key areas which can improve your office environment, all in ways which would make the founders of the Valley proud. This has worked extremely well for some of them, and this means that it could easily work for you.
Work Areas
The key areas to consider when you’re improving a workplace are the areas which people use to do their job. In an office, this will be a desk space, and will often include a computer, keyboard, and other items which enable your employee to work. Ensuring that they can work to their full potential will involve upgrading chairs to make them suitable for long sessions, while also giving employees the option of a range of keyboards and mice to make sure that they can choose one which meets their requirements.
Of course, along with the place they will spend most of their time working, a lot of companies also provide their employees with spaces which inspire new ideas and creative thinking. Bean bags, sofas, and other comfortable seating is best for a room like this. Along with this, though, tablets and televisions can be great to display information and help in the process. Thinking rooms are one of the key principles that Valley giants like to adopt. Making your employees happy while also helping them to work harder is a great choice to make, even if you have to find the space for it.
Entertainment Areas
If the whole of your premises is dedicated to work, you’re probably doing something wrong. Employees will need at least one space which is separate from their job, giving them the chance to detach during breaks and relax as much as they like. A room like this should have a mixture of tables and chairs coupled with comfortable seating, as this will give your workers different ways to use the space. Entertainment devices, like board games and televisions, can be great for a break room.
Going back to the big companies dominating this market, it’s easy to see how fun spaces can make a difference to someone’s work day, but very few businesses will consider the impact that the outdoors could have. It doesn’t cost much to have a small outdoor area landscaped and arranged to make it easy for employees to have lunch, meetings, or other work sessions in the summer and spring sunshine. Of course, though, this will only work in places which have good enough weather to comfortably work outside.
Lighting
The impact which something like light can have one someone’s work is quite astonishing. Greatly impacting someone’s mood, this aspect can be a huge factor in their ability to work, with a wide range of factors impacting what they are able to do. Some lighting options are much more natural than others. Fluorescent lighting, for example, will give a lot of people migraines and isn’t good to spend days under. Instead, LEDs can be used to create a much more natural light which will be a lot more comfortable for long periods.
Of course, this extends past the qualities of the light, and goes as far as the color of the bulbs you use. An LED driver manufacturer can install devices around your building which can give you full control over the lighting you have. When you want people to feel happy, for example, warm colors, like orange, can be used to brighten their day. If you decide to go down this route, it’s worth doing some research to find out which options are best for the job, while also looking up some color psychology.
Food & Drink
If you’ve ever had to pay attention to school dinners, you’ve probably heard about the importance of food when it comes to productivity and the quality of work someone can produce. Your mind heavily relies on the food you consume to stay fueled and keep sharp, with people enjoying poor diets often suffering with lazy attitudes when it comes to work. As someone’s employer, you have the power to solve this issue, and it’s nice and easy; provide some food and drinks.
When people are spending all day with you, it’s always nice to have the chance to eat some hot food. This doesn’t mean having a chef and kitchen installed, though, and you can often handle business catering by using another company. Hot sandwich orders, for example, can give everyone what they need to work while also keeping them happy. Providing this for free is a small price to pay for employees who can work harder and faster for you.
Hydration is also an important factor when it comes to your employee’s ability to work. Water coolers can be a great way to make sure that people can keep their water levels up, and a lot of businesses will laos provide tea and coffee making facilities to their employees. Fizzy and sugary drinks are best avoided here, as these can often cause lapses in productivity. Most people will be happy with the clear stuff once they’ve had some time with it.
Hopefully, with all of this in mind, it will be a lot easier to start turning your workspace into something worthy of Silicon Valley. These sorts of techniques can have a huge impact on the value you get out of your workforce, spurring them to work harder than ever before. Of course, though, it will also be an investment, and this means that you have to take it very seriously.