Sunday, January 2, 2011

BEST PLACES TO WORK: How to get there?

Setting your goals? Thinking you would like to see your business on the next list of BEST PLACES TO WORK? There are several benefits that accompany this honor, besides the extra visibility.  

Here are just a few:
  • Improved productivity, which yields an improved bottom line
  • Improved employee morale, which means less absenteeism and turnover
  • Greater ability to recruit and retain good employees
  • Prospects like to be associated with "winners"

So now the question is...How do we get there????



Most of these winners and nominees have several key factors in common:

  • A business "culture" that tends to be more open and relaxed, while remaining structured

  • A stimulating environment and one that encourages collaboration. Shown here is Bix by Steelcase, one of many similar solutions.
  • Sharing of natural light. Some corporations  have reversed placement of executive offices closer to the central core of the building footprint allowing everyone to share the windows. Although many businesses remain conservative with private offices located along the exterior window walls or perimeter of the building, borrowlites, sidelites or clerestory windows can be added to allow natural light to spill into open office areas.
  • Cubicles or workstations are still commonplace in open office areas because of the price per square foot of property, the need to make the best use of the space and need for flexibility. But panel heights are coming down, even if staggered....and glazed tiles or panels are used more frequently in furniture systems to humanize the environment.
  • With this flexibility comes satellite areas for conferencing and collaboration. It's not unusual to find open or semi-private meeting areas clustered within the workspace, especially in the form of mobile lounge chairs with tablet arms for laptops and coffee height tables. These spaces can also be found in Break Rooms or other Multi-Purpose spaces that provide an escape from the typical office area. In addition, there may be stand up height counters or tables where individuals can meet briefly while making copies or getting a beverage.
  • Most often, employee wellness and fitness are encouraged with on-site Fitness Facilities or corporate memberships to Fitness Centers. Yoga and other classes may be offered before and after work hours to allow the staff to de-stress.

I hope this helps you envision your business as a Best Place To Work and think about making some positive changes to your work environment in 2011. We're very sensitive to the slow economy and the need to control expenses. With that in mind, you may prefer to get started with a masterplan to implement your new "culture" in phases. Let me know what we can do to help you achieve your goals.
more than good design...improving the quality of environments and helping business thrive





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