Some ideas that have worked in other companies

1. Rotate workspaces to build relationships with other members and encourage continuous learning. This is the opposite of stagnating or maintaining rigid structures.
2. Acknowledge each other’s efforts, especially on bad days, so that they never leave work worried or angry.
3. Address people by name and take an interest in them. For example, celebrate or congratulate them on their birthday, work or personal achievements, etc.
4. Hire trainers to run workshops on interpersonal communication techniques, active listening, assertiveness, emotional intelligence, group dynamics, teamwork, etc.
5. Install satisfaction meters where employees can mark their level of satisfaction at the end of the day.
6. Facilitate and promote a healthy lifestyle: providing a space to park bicycles, showers, a space with machines, healthy snacks such as fruit, and regular medical visits.
7. Create a space for socialising with a coffee machine, a hot and cold water dispenser for tea, etc. And, if you offer free or low-cost food, you will save costs (transport or restaurants), time (going home), and you will be able to promote healthy food and the relationship between workers.
8. Doing projects outside the work environment such as excursions, courses, charitable causes or activities designed for companies will help your team interact and get to know each other, facilitating an inclusive atmosphere.

Taking a reference from success cases in Silicon Valley, let’s take a look at what they are betting on:

1. A workspace conducive to creativity and concentration.
2. It is essential to use as much natural light and ventilation as possible, and plants also help create a pleasant atmosphere. It has to be a clean and tidy space, with touches of colour, but without saturating it with decorations.
3. The space should be adapted to the people who use it, facilitating movement and communication. Create complementary spaces for the meeting; the change of space awakens the mind, and the change of posture helps to be more comfortable.
4. Ensure that spaces have equipment in good condition and, in the case of software, functional and up to date.

Work-life balance

1. Providing work-life balance facilities will increase employee satisfaction. Why maintain unproductive working hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.?
2. Teleworking or flexible working hours give employees autonomy, and when they are in control of their time allocation, their stress will decrease, and their overall and company satisfaction will increase. As a leader, ask yourself whether you would prefer your employees to do their time or work.
3. Then, knowing that you have chosen the most efficient answer for your company, set goals and facilitate a workday that meets your employees’ needs.

Professional is also personal

1. Your employees are people, so they will find value in a company that cares about their well-being.
2. This concept is key if we want to attract and retain talent, if we want our employees to be the first ambassadors of our brand if we want to create a pleasant working environment for everyone where everyone gives their best and is valued for it.
3. Sometimes investments are not counted in coins.