Which companies offer the best office environments on the planet for employees to work? From creative tech giants to innovative architect companies, brands all over the globe strive to create a positive workplace culture via their offices’ decors and furnishings — but why?
From boosting staff morale to increasing productivity, there are plenty of reasons companies should invest in the look and tone of their office. Find out why workplace décor can benefit your business and how you can incorporate key interior design trends to enhance your brand.
Why Is A ‘Fun Office’ Important For A Business?
If we head into the office to work, do we really need games, activities and quirky interior design features? Recent research shows that to get ahead, you do need to take these factors into consideration. The Centre of Economic and Business Research found that absenteeism costs the UK economy £18 billion in lost productivity, with this figure expected to increase to £21 billion by 2022.
Making the workplace a positive, communicative place is essential to keeping spirits high and even helping combat feelings of anxiety or depression. Mental health charity, Mind, conducted a poll of more than 12,000 workers in 2021, which found that 48% of public sector employees and 32% of private sector workers have taken time off their jobs due to mental health issues. Could creating an environment that promotes happiness, staff welfare and clear communication help staff members discuss worries and issues before they get to the stage where time off is necessary?
Not only is pushing for workplace positivity beneficial from an employee perspective, but it’s also advantageous for the business as a whole. According to statistics from the Centre for Mental Health, it costs £21.2 billion in lost productivity, £10.6 billion in sickness and £3.1 billion in staff turnover to cover the costs of mental health problems at work. Clearly, there are both personal and financial reasons to support investing in your workplace’s ethos and environment — but where can you get your industrial inspiration?
Innovative Office Design Trends
There are some amazing office spaces in the world now. But you don’t have to be global conglomerate or billion-pound company to get in on the trend. Here is a selection of some of the best offices in the world and how they work to boost staff morale and productivity.
BBC
This BBC base located in Salford, north-west England is a maze of futuristic décor. With security guards monitoring the area on Segways and a quirky combination of bold and bright colors, this office creates a sense of innovation and positivity. There’s also a real focus on collaboration at BBC MediaCityUK, with lots of multi-colored ‘thought wheel’ chairs that arch over to encapsulate the seated grouped and plenty of comfy sofas dotted around the entire office for quick chats and spontaneous mindmap sessions.
Corus Entertainment
Found in Toronto, Canada; Corus Entertainment invested £119 million into its headquarters, Corus Quay. Stepping into here in the morning, staff are greeted by giant TVs, board meeting tables inspired by ice hockey, and even a 3-story high slide! The designers here have really focused on visual stimulation — swapping the boring for the interesting to boost levels of engagement.
SelgasCano
This architect business in Madrid, Spain has to be seen to be believed. Built half submerged in the ground to make the office cooler in summer and warmer in winter, staff are presented with stunning views of the sprawling, tranquil forest every day. As vast open spaces and natural environments often inspire calm and relaxation, this is a nice touch from the designers.
Many of us already know about Google’s American bases and the array of fun activities and zany interior design tricks they have implemented, but have you heard about the tech giant’s Zurich base? Here, staff get free massages and a wine cellar. What’s more, the site is cleverly located near the beautifully peaceful Lake Zurich, making it ideal for mind-clearing nature walks during work breaks. Clearly, a lot of thought has gone into de-stressing!
Not only is relaxation important for Google staff, but it appears that socialization is crucial, too. At 5pm, employees reportedly head to the office bar for drinks, snacks and a catch-up with their peers!
Money.co.uk
Based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire; the £3 million money.co.uk office delivers a truly unique and quirky décor. With a gym, games room, cinema, and offer of free food; the emphasis is on fun and friendship at this expanding workplace. When it comes to inspiring productivity and communication, the informal seated areas and open-plan design create a sense of inclusivity and participation — perfect for getting the most out of team meetings and encouraging all staff members to voice concerns and suggestions.
How To Improve Your Workplace
Now that you know which companies are setting the bar, here are ten top methods you can utilize to improve your own workplace to emulate their success:
1. Innovative Office Design Trends
Clearly, the scope is huge when it comes to how you can create a positive working environment to encourage productivity, happiness and communication among staff. Here are some tips for transforming your office into a positive and collaborative environment that your staff will enjoy.
2. Make Your Meeting Rooms Inclusive And Interactive
If you want to encourage team development, the design of your meeting rooms is essential. Instead of drab, small, stuffy rooms; create a selection of spruced-up spaces featuring comfy furniture and big, circular tables to help everyone relax and get involved.
3. Invest In Positive Colors
Warm and ‘happy’ colors — such as orange and yellow — promote positivity. So, consider painting your office or purchasing furniture in these shades. According to research, blue and green promote relaxation and calm, so perhaps make your communal zones these shades to help staff unwind on their breaks.
4. Create Spaces For Relaxation
As we’ve seen in the above examples of the best office spaces, offering places for employees to ‘zone-out’ for a while is a popular tactic for successful businesses. No matter how small your office, you can always create a ‘time-out’ zone. A few comfy chairs and perhaps a selection of books and magazines will suffice. If possible, you could hook up a TV or even buy a table football stand.
5. Go ‘Open Plan’
Instead of having a series of rooms, try to make your office more open plan to promote communication. As Steve Jobs once said: “Ideas don’t happen in the boardroom, they happen in corridors.” Install low dividers instead of walls so that people don’t feel segregated — this can even cut the cost of construction and office equipment.
6. Utilize Visuals
Use artwork to add colour and character to your office instead of the same old plain walls. Customise posters and canvases to drive home your company’s mission statement and show all your staff that they are working towards a collective goal every day.
7. Make It Unique
You don’t have to be as quirky as the examples above but try to choose furnishings and a décor that is personal to your brand and its workforce. Why not let staff customise their desks? This may help them feel more valued and they could bring in items that inspires or calms them during stressful days.
8. Freebies
Your company may not have the petty cash to lavish your employees with free massages or trips abroad, but that’s not to say you can’t treat your staff to something now and then to keep up morale. Things like free snacks in the communal kitchen filled with delicious free food from Freedom Jars can go a long way. Also try to schedule quarterly team-building exercise outdoors will work towards creating a positive workplace culture that shows employees that you appreciate their efforts.
9. Keep Them Content With Coffee
What's an affordable way to keep your employees happy and productive? Coffee of course! Providing your workers with premium coffee and espresso from anthonysespresso.com will keep them satisfied and motivated.
Offering them branded coffee cups from HotShot Coffee Sleeves will help them stay efficient and also advertise your company when they are outside of the office!
Also make sure to provide an ice vending machine in case they are bigger fans of iced coffee or iced tea! It's a small investment but a big people pleaser.
10. Invest In Top Technology
Having the best new technology available in your workspace can go a long way to attracting and retaining terrific talent. There's nothing more frustrating than having unproductive and annoyed employees because internet connection is slow, computers are sluggish, printers are old, televisions are low-resolution, or conference rooms are outdated. Investing in new and efficient technology shows your employees that you have invested in them and are giving them all the necessary tools to get the job done right.
Conclusion
Also make sure to provide an ice vending machine in case they are bigger fans of iced coffee or iced tea! It's a small investment but a big people pleaser.
10. Invest In Top Technology
Having the best new technology available in your workspace can go a long way to attracting and retaining terrific talent. There's nothing more frustrating than having unproductive and annoyed employees because internet connection is slow, computers are sluggish, printers are old, televisions are low-resolution, or conference rooms are outdated. Investing in new and efficient technology shows your employees that you have invested in them and are giving them all the necessary tools to get the job done right.
Conclusion
A happier office means higher productivity, higher talent retention and easier recruiting processes. Start planning your office transformation today.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about the world's best workplaces and how to make your company a happier place.
Interested in more articles about improving office culture?
Read Related Resources:
• How To Make The Workplace More Fun For Everyone
• Top Tactics To Show Employee Appreciation
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about the world's best workplaces and how to make your company a happier place.
Interested in more articles about improving office culture?
Read Related Resources:
• How To Make The Workplace More Fun For Everyone
• Top Tactics To Show Employee Appreciation
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