Employees are the lifeblood of any business. When your employees are happy, your business can achieve great things. When your staff is inspired, this can reflect on your bottom line. A motivated team is a productive team. In order to promote a positive vibe among your people, why not try making your work environment more than just a regular workplace – but rather, a fun place?
Making your workplace a more enjoyable place for your staff can have tangible positive benefits for your people and your business as a whole. A 2015 study by the University of Warwick’s “Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy” found that happier employees are more productive by an average of up to 12% to 20%.
Whether you have a regular office-based staff or virtual staff, one can turn their office environment into a fun place. It doesn’t have to hurt your pocket either. Creating a fun place for your employees is all about creating a relaxed environment for your people. A fun place should be light and comfortable, and must be filled with positive energy that makes people feel eager and inspired.
Here are some internal practices that could help you achieve that.
Get rid of the FOWOT culture
Fear of what others think (or FOWOT) or the fear of being humiliated and alienated is a big factor why the majority of employees don’t speak up. It hinders growth, innovation, and collaboration.
Encourage people to speak up more. Give your employees, remote staff, or otherwise, creative space and freedom. Create new ways for your staff to communicate, reward honest dialogue, and offer honest yet respectful feedback.
Have a fun break room
If you want to boost your people’s energy at work, having a fun break room might just do the trick. Create an open and inviting space where your staff can hang out and drink coffee. Provide an area where your staff can unwind and refresh their minds for a little bit. You can also supply some fun, quiet games such as crossword puzzles and board games to keep your staff happy during their break time. For staff such as blog writers who tend to strain their eye muscles when writing nonstop, providing them a place to rest during their break would be really helpful. Just remember to keep firm rules in place. Break rooms should be a safe haven to rest and not a distraction.
Hang out with your staff
Getting to know your staff is an important aspect of being a leader. Knowing your people, their personalities, what makes them tick, what encourages them, and their work styles, can build a sense of trust within your organization.
It makes employees happy when their bosses step out of their daily corporate grind to spend time with them. Try hanging out with your staff once in a while. Take them out for coffee, or reward them with lunch for a job well done. For those with virtual assistants from the Philippines, why not meet with your staff the next time you fly to the country?
Encourage passion
Everyone has their own personal hobbies and passion. Your IT guy could probably make a mean crème Brulee, while your favorite virtual assistant might be a total grease monkey who fixes cars on the side. Encourage your staff to share their hidden talents and remind them that there is more to life than just work.
One way you can do this is by creating interest groups in your company – a Photography Club, a Basketball team, or even a Debate team. Bonding over common interests with like-minded individuals can be a great way to relieve stress. It can also be a way for you to recruit talents for ad-hoc activities. Christmas party? Why not ask your resident photographer for help? By encouraging your staff to live their passion, you also boost their morale.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Promoting a fun place and a happy work environment can reduce work-related stress for your staff. By fostering a relaxed working environment, you can enjoy the benefits of not just having a productive workplace, but also a happy place for all.
