A place that feels friendly is friendly. As long as people feel comfortable they will work in a more relaxed and creative fashion. Google makes sure that their people can express themselves in ways that range from a pimped out Simpsons cubicle to an office that looks like it’s out of the Ikea catalogue.
Google Slide
This Google Slide is from their office in Zurich. It’s a great example of how to make the office feel fun. Even if no one rides it, the employees are still walking by it every day. This signals to them that they are in a special place.
Design Team
You have an infinite amount of tools at your disposal that you can use to create an environment that is fun and extends the company’s personality. You can create a team of people with a budget of $100 whose job is to go out and find cool things to put in the office. You can stipulate that nothing should cost over $20. The employees can vote on where each object will be placed, hung or hidden (you don’t want to gross out anyone).
I know that I would want to be on this team. If I were an employee who was sent on a mission to spruce up the office for an afternoon, I would jump at the chance.
Create Discussion Through Design
It’s a company’s job to create a design friendly atmosphere that inspires great work. It doesn’t matter whether or not everyone likes the new decorations. What matters is that it creates discussion.
Co-workers who get to know each other will treat each other like family. They might not “like” each other, but they will find love within each other to co-exist.
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Image courtesy of andrewarchy
That slide looks seriously intense. I would make heavy use of it if I had one nearby.
My favorite feature at work is our foosball table. I also like the fact we have a pond with Koi out back.
I love the Design team idea! Not only does it bring some fun into the workplace but enables employees to take an active role in creating the environment. When I managed in Corporate, I learned what truly motivated each individual employee. Many would be surprised to know it was never money. Treating people with dignity, and acknowledging them as a whole person not a human widget goes a long way to helping them to work happy. 🙂
Hi Karl - That slide is awesome. If I worked there, just seeing it would make me smile. It really gives that sense of "lighten up".
I've never worked anywhere where they had cool stuff, but I'm guessing Google is setting a trend.
Hi J.D., I love foosball! I wish we had it in our office.
Hi Karen, wouldn't it be cool if the employees were allowed to partake in designing the office look.
Hi Barbara, I've never worked anywhere that had such cool personality either. I hope that some day I do.
Hi Karl, it looks really fun in there. I like this part : It doesn’t matter whether or not everyone likes the new decorations. What matters is that it creates discussion.
Thanks for sharing, Karl.
The slide probably aids productivity as well, you would get to a meeting quicker than using the stairs.