Your environment showcases what you value!
It might convey being bright, bold and brash; it could convey being friendly, engaging, and customer-focused; or perhaps you wish to convey your commitment to sustainability or team building.
How your workplace is set up to look and feel has an impact on the culture of your organisation.
Your environment showcases what you value!
It might convey being bright, bold and brash; it could convey being friendly, engaging, and customer-focused; or perhaps you wish to convey your commitment to sustainability or team building.
Your environment is both a reflection and reinforcement of your culture.
A few months ago, I introduced you to the 3 Es of a positive team culture – Education, Engagement and Environment.
This blog focuses on the third and final E – Environment – and 10 tips how you can contribute to the look and feel of your workplace to create a fun, happy and successful culture.
1. Hold a regular staff conference
This will create an environment of connectedness and shared understanding. A good staff conference will reinforce your company’s purpose and vision, bring unity in the development of plans and strategies, and educate your team through corporate training and team activities.
2. Find a creative space
Transform a meeting room or lunch room into a space where your team can gather, relax and be comfortable. These spaces can be ideal for meetings to harness creativity too.
3. Decorate the office as a team
Artwork can create inspiration and meaning for your team. Sometimes it’s hard to find a piece of art that appeals to everyone so why not create your own artwork that reflects your vision and values in a team building event.
4. Care for plants
Plants are simple and effective to liven up any environment. It’s not only the appearance of the office they impact but the sense of community and responsibility to ensure they’re looked after and flourish.
5. Enjoy some sunshine
Lack of sunlight exposure has been closely linked to vitamin D deficiency which in turn has been linked to depression. See if you can generate more natural light in the office or consider outdoor alternatives for meetings, lunches and exercise sessions.
6. Strive for awards
Friendly competition can be a great motivator for staff. Setting up some internal awards that recognise individual and team performance will drive success in a fun and friendly environment.
7. Create a goals board
A goals board is a visual representation of what you are trying to achieve as a team. It also makes it easy for everyone to keep track of progress. If things are tracking well, it can be motivational. If things are behind, it can prompt teams into action.
8. Focus on health and welfare
Providing complimentary fruit bowls, natural or filtered water, annual health assessments and regular fitness sessions are useful strategies to support the ongoing health and welfare of your staff. A healthier workplace will be a more productive and happier workplace too!
9. Music for the ears
Although it may not be suitable for all workplaces, background music can be a great motivator, as well as help people stay calm and enjoy the environment they work in. You may consider sharing the responsibility amongst staff to choose the music or radio station each day.
10. An inspiring guest
Many organisations limit providing inspiration and motivation to once a year at their annual conference. Try scheduling various speakers throughout the year on topics of interest to your team or simply to provide some variety and encouragement in quieter periods. If you have offices in multiple locations, speakers can deliver via webinar sessions to enable access by staff all over.
For more strategies on creating the right environment for your workplace, you can download my free eBook ‘How to create a positive team culture for success’
Dwain Richardson, Managing Director, Corporate Challenge Events
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