The office can be a stressful environment with staff and employers running around trying to meet deadlines, running into technical snafus, dealing with external departments and chasing investors. Therefore, it is important to find a good balance within your office space to keep your employees motivated and relatively relaxed, even when big deadlines are looming. By offering your employees little luxuries that won’t require a huge investment on your part, you are showing your appreciation and are offering them the space they need to stay focused and energized. Here are a few things you can do to create a positive office environment.

Stock the Office Kitchen with Fresh Fruit and Drinks

Although many people prefer to bring their own lunch to work or even pop out to grab a bite to eat during their lunch hours, it is always a good idea to keep your office kitchen stocked with fresh fruit and drinks your employees can help themselves to whenever needed. We all know how important it is to eat well as it keeps our energy levels up and helps us stay concentrated on our tasks. But sometimes there is simply too much going on in the office to sit down and have a proper meal. Giving your staff access to fruit, bottled water or juices whenever needed will keep them fed and happy even during the craziest office hours.

Show Your Appreciation and Praise Your Staff for a Job Well Done

When you are managing a staff of, say, fifteen people, it’s not always easy to stay on top of your employees’ performances, so it may slip your mind to congratulate them on a job particularly well-done. Find a way to keep track of your staff’s performances by keeping a document you can update on a weekly basis. If Sarah is currently working on the layout for next season’s look-book, make note of it and send yourself a reminder to check in with her the following week. Your employees thrive on your praise and appreciation of their work, so ensure that it does not go unnoticed – positive reinforcement goes a long way!

Celebrate Professional and Personal Victories

Whenever you’ve completed a major project, think of a way to celebrate the achievement with your staff. There’s no need to be extravagant about it – surprise the staff with baked goods or invite them for some mimosas in the office kitchen after hours. It’s the thought that counts! It shows your appreciation and will motivate your staff to keep up the good work. The same is true for personal celebrations – create an intimate, familiar atmosphere in the office by taking the time to celebrate birthdays, pregnancy leaves etc. This creates a nurturing environment your staff will truly come to value and will also help build relationships.

Allow Staff to Personalize their Work Space

As we all know, designing your personal work space is important to keep motivation levels running high. Some prefer a pristine desk with no clutter whatsoever; others need personal items such as family photographs or trinkets to keep them inspired. Some might be happy with a single plant. Allow your staff to design their work space in whichever way they see fit – even if it’s an eyesore to you. As long as it keeps them happy and working you will benefit from their framed pictures of their ugly pugs!