I recently read an article recommended to me about Seattle’s newest carbon neutral office space known as the Bullitt Center. This building encourages staff to take the stairs through it’s compelling design and other features are helping to boost staff morale and the long term productivity of it’s employees. You can read more about it here http://www.psfk.com/2013/04/office-stairs-excercise.html
But it made me wonder what other organisations do to improve the workplace and increase working productivity.
Adidas – Teamwork
What you see above is goal-like mesh netting separating spaces and perforated walls which give Adidas that sporting office environment much related to the products they produce. This type of office inspires the kind of creativity that adidas needs to keep up with their competitors.
Nike – Variety
This office in London has won awards for the most innovative office interior in the world! There are a variety of settings which staff can work in within the offices from, small spaces, to more larger group settings and even a cafe.
Asics – Everything
This office in Australia is a really unique environment to work in, with a gym, mini football field, table tennis court, running track, Japanese garden and luxury lounge I expect employees may even be there on days off!
So there are three examples of sports organisations who have moulded their environment to foster a better working atmosphere for their employees but it’s important to realize many different factors which contribute to efficient work and take a look at some unique examples too.
Natural light – Improves employees health and encourages creativity
Office urban zoning – Different spaces for various needs improves space and provides employee choice.
Use colour – Yellow triggers creativity, red symbolises passion, blue is used to calm and orange encourages communication.
Add some plants – Reduces stress and enhance productivity by 12%.
Now for some unconventional approaches:-
A nap room – James Maas, a sleep expert who created the idea of power naps recommends employees nap for 15-minutes when they feel sluggish to restore a sense of vitality to the workday.
And even Treadmill desks – Why the sudden interest in incorporating walking into the workplace? “Walking has been shown clinically to prevent or mitigate the nation’s leading diseases including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even some forms of cancer,” states Steve Bordley, President of TrekDesk. “It has been shown as an effective measure in promoting weight loss, disease prevention, improving mental and physical health and significantly decreasing the need for medical care.” – http://trekdesk.com/costfinancial/265-improving-employee-health-with-treadmill-desks
Jake Oxby – Sports Business Management Student (Carnegie)
@JakeEOxby
@SportsBizJake
Sports Business Management 