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4 Practical Ways To Design A More Authentic Workplace And Company Culture

With a more functional and inclusive work environment, your staff can start focusing on what really matters to your business: driving innovation.

  1. Strike a balance between functional and simple perks.

    Ask yourself what would make you happy as an employee. Chances are, your desires are more functional (e.g., flexibility for doctor’s appointments and soccer practices) rather than simple (e.g., a snack station).

    Provide both thoughtful and basic employee perks, if possible. Then, consult your employees on what they want, and truly listen. Consider their functional needs first, then uncover small perks that will have the biggest impact on their productivity and happiness.

  2. Prioritize community over culture.

    Culture is becoming a dated word. It’s not something you should mandate or drive; rather, it’s a more organic and natural progression. Instead of focusing on culture, create community in your office environment.

    Culture implies a level of sophistication, while community denotes a place where things get done. Perceiving the office as a community center changes the definition of the purpose, requirements, and uses for each element of the office.

    At House of Kaizen, we have a hybrid in-office and work-from-home model because we recognize and appreciate our team’s diverse working styles and personal requirements. Giving them more flexibility to manage their work environments makes them happier and more productive.

We see our office as a point of collaboration. So, we designed our space to accommodate various working styles while emphasizing interaction. We facilitate brief periods of private time with small ad hoc rooms, comfortable semiprivate areas, and even private outdoor space (a rarity in New York City).

Employees enjoy the flexibility and actually want to work in the space. By taking an authentic, employee-centric approach to an office space revamp, you’ll have the unique opportunity to influence company culture, boost job satisfaction, and accommodate individual and collaborative work.

With a more functional and inclusive work environment, your staff can start focusing on what really matters to your business: driving innovation.

 

This article has been edited and condensed.

Matt Cronin is a founding partner of House of Kaizen, is a digital performance marketing and brand management pioneer who’s developed innovative digital strategies for the likes of Tiffany & Co. and MGM. Connect with @houseofkaizen on Twitter.

 

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