Is there such a thing as being too comfortable at work? Some employers worry about too much fun and relaxation in the workplace. They worry that incorporating games rooms, gyms, cozy couches and the like will lower productivity or send a message that this isn’t a ‘serious’ business.
Release those concerns if you have them. This hasn’t been our experience. In fact, the opposite is true. Giving employees a chance to blow off steam, socialize, and incorporate healthy breaks into their day is far more likely to increase productivity, creativity and staff retention. It could also be a strong hiring advantage when the employee market is tight.
The culture of your workplace and your brand itself is influenced profoundly by how the management team views ‘fun’ (i.e. ‘okay, but only in small doses’, or ‘where’s the party?!’ or ‘fun is just a normal part of our everyday life’).
If you would say that ‘innovation’ or ‘balance’ or ‘creativity’ are important brand values for your company, ask yourself if those are truly a part of your employee experience today.
Here are some thoughts for you to consider:
• Think of your workplace as a community. Then ask yourself: how can I make this community function in the most healthy, productive way?
• We advise: allow for fun. People are social beings. Productivity is not best delivered in a regimented environment.
• Create spaces that encourage informal discussions and interaction. Really. Some genius business ideas occur over a latte.
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Grounded by a sophisticated, yet simple palette of white concrete floors, white walls, bold accent paint and glass, and satin stainless accents, the interiors of Crossroads Dental satisfied the Doctor’s requirements that his six operatory dental centre exude a clean, vibrant environment, with an energetic atmosphere for his clients and staff.
Crossroads Dental supports holistic and environmentally friendly dental practices. The project is located in a LEED Silver Certified building. The majority of finishes were low V.O.C., furniture was either re-used or contains recycled material, and the demountable glass walls allow light to flow between the spaces, and can be re-configured.
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We love to create unique spaces, and people sometimes wonder how it’s possible to continually come up with fresh ideas and new perspectives. The answer is simple. We are inspired by the story that each client has to tell. Interior design needs to reflect each clients specific target market, competitive advantage, market position, not to mention style and personality.
That’s why we take the time to really understand what our clients do. We immerse ourselves in their brand and culture. We get to know their team. We examine the marketplace, and study their ideal customers. We nail down (in specific detail) how the client will define success. Then, we endeavour to tell their story through design. Spaces that tell stories, define brands, evoke emotions and create amazing experiences. Here’s a quick breakdown of our process for getting to know a client’s story:
The People: Who are we designing for?
We get to understand the people that will live, work or play in the space. This information is the foundation of the story
The Culture: How do things get done?
The culture reveals the beliefs and values within a company that influence the way things get done, how decisions are made and how people interact.
The Brand: What is the message?
The desired market perception of the brand is the start of creating an intuitive brand experience.
The Dynamics: Does your space support the way you work?
We need to understand how people work and how the space can support them. This is key to designing spaces that really perform.
The Measures of Success: What makes the design a success?
Understanding baseline, mid-level and pie-in-the-sky expectations at the beginning of the design process is critical to the success of every project.
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