Is
your office sort of blah? Are your
coworkers disengaged? Fear not, we've
got some quick productivity-boosting fixes so fun that you'll forget you ever
wanted to go home three hours ago.
We feel like
we've been a little harsh lately. So, like, mea culpa.
Recently we've told you what not to wear to the office in the summer and the productivity-killing (smelly) lunches that you should never bring into the
workplace. Sorry for the tough love, be we felt like everyone could benefit
from the reminders.
Today,
however, let's not focus on the negative, and instead let's talk about fun. You
want to work in a fun environment. Of course you do. Who doesn't?
Just listen to Kenexa, a Pennsylvanian
human resources software company that lives by a simple principle: Employees just want to
have fun.
And that fun doesn't result simply in
smiles and laughs--it brings a tangible increase in workplace happiness and
productivity. A more enjoyable workplace makes individuals perform better, in
almost every aspect of their lives.
According to Kenexa, turnover among managers
who feel pride in their company is 21% lower than among those who don't. Adds
the Kenyan-born, Canadian-educated CEO Rudy Karsan: "When you're in a job
that you enjoy and you're good at, you're not just a better worker. You're a
better spouse, a better parent, a better citizen.
So, in the spirit of pleasant workplaces
everywhere, here's a compilation of fast and fun things you can do to put a
smile on your coworkers' faces--and boost productivity.
It's no secret that we want an office dog at Fast
Company. So far, this Pinterest
board is as close as we've gotten. Meanwhile, we've written
about this culture-enhancing canine desire in two previous posts, and Purina even made a video in an attempt to push us
over the edge.
Office dogs
can offer a huge boost to business and teach you how to work better.
And let's be honest, they just make everybody happy.
KNOW THAT HAPPY HOURS ARE PART OF THE
CULTURE
We can have fun outside of the office,
right?
Grabbing a few drinks after work is a
great way to boost morale, and bring your team together around things that are,
well, not
work.
Just don't overdo it.
COMMUNAL LUNCH
Everybody eats, so why not eat together,
and get to know each other in the process?
You might discover a new food, or, you
know, introduce yourself to somebody new.
DECORATE YOUR OFFICE!
What's that, not everybody like white
walls, white ceilings, and soulless lighting?
Just because it's an office, doesn't
mean it has to be an office. When you
spend such a significant amount of time in one space, it's important that it
reflects not only the culture of the company, but the people who make it run.
(Related: Sometimes it's best to take meetings outside the office.
A nice work environement might even
convince you to--gasp--look
forward to work!
GROUP EXERCISE
Albany-based media company Overit takes a
two-minute break every hour, on the hour, for its employees to exercise.
Read more ways to make your office more fun here.
Very interesting post. Thank you for pleasure of reading.
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