The perfect work environment?

[RogerGreene]

Definite must haves:

• comfortable chairs

• choice of computers

• dual or triple monitors (big ones!)

• free drinks/snacks

• big whiteboard

• solid desks with a good amount of space

• break room with some form of entertainment - pool, air hockey, ping ping, something like that

• open space (no cubes!) - preferably with desks facing eachother for easy communication

• lots of light, plants, cool wall decorations

Though really I think the most important things are about the company culture. In terms of that, you need to cultivate a place that is all about having fun while at work.

[AlanMosley]

yes dual screens at least,

An office free from politics and arguments
while I agree one should try not to offend others in the office, I find the bigger problem is people looking for opportunities to be offended

one of the reaons i work from home

[saibose]

I had a similar problem when the co-founder from my last job asked me the same question.

I came up with a small basic list for things I had seen my techie folks crib about or I had an inclination to.

#1. No cabins and closed door for folks. Guys like me have that weird feeling that maybe if someone is sitting in a cabin, he/she is more preferred by my boss (silly thing, but true)

#2. Unlimited caffeine supply

#3. Stylish personal sound gear(headphones, mics (preferably bluetooth)

#4. gaming room for multiplayer games

#5. Ability of every guy to make his desk the way he wants.

#6. Music room with instruments

#7. Sleeping capsule

#8. Foosball table, pinball machine, table tennis board

#9. Provision for booze after hours

#10. Ability to choose any configuration and make of hardware.

[cmcneil]

I have two really good friends who have been with Dreamworks since almost day one. Dreamworks pampers them with inhouse Starbucks, cafe etc. BUT they have a masseuse who they can get the knots worked out from being at the computer for hours on end. That would be cool. Maybe on Fridays etc.

[ColumbusAustralia]

Best idea for a good office some apsects of my current place..

1. Provide breakfast for workers.

2. Provide supply of snacks for employees.

3. Provide lunch vouchers for staff.

4. Football table/ pool table.

5. Paintings on the wall.

6. Sing star/games for employees.

7. Beers in the fridge for employees (thursday/Friday night).

8. flexible start times.

9. 2 monitors.

10. big comfortable chair.

11. Big TV with pay tv hook up and comfortable couches.

[firstconversion]

working from home when you like

[augustos]

awesome!

[augustos]

in adding of what the other guys said...

bring the pets to office

[-Al-]

Nice bit of Soundgarden on the player there...

[AaronSchinke]

Man, sounds like I had it better than what I thought!

[AlanMosley]

I am going to sound mean here; but I suggest an office environment free from any play things or distractions. If someone spends half an hour on an xbox will not suddenly snap back in to full production. You are better of letting them go home early as a reward for getting things done.

Discourage social activities that invoice work time in either participation or organization. Better still get rid of such people, along with rule makers, sign makers and those that like to find things to be offended by.
If you want happy workers hire people who truly love there job, not those that just say they do during a job interview. People that like there job tend to work hard and accomplish things, and visa-versa, people who work hard and accomplish things tend to like their job

With no distractions it is amazing what people get done.
 Somewhere there will be a competitor with people that work hard all day and will eventually put you out of business. Even if you have a big head start of your competitions that is rarely the case for ever, and it is hard to get a work force productive when they are used to being non productive.

[Superb]

This is ideal... perfect environment where employees can easily come up with the ideas and productivity, which is most important at the end of the day.

[Superb]

I really like the list by Thomas Ballantyne, the only thing I would like to add in it is the monthly points that one get (performance based) to buy techie stuff from Google store, job related book and other stuff.

This can give the productivity boost as most of the techie folks including me are good fan of Google stuff, T-shits, books and other research materials. It would be awesome if company help me buying those based on my performance.

[Jioewbvu]

I only do that, due to the fact tumblr and blogger are with 99% area authority as you can see this blog, so those listings can bang the search consequences for the listing key phrases and that they do as properly.