The perfect work environment?

[Getz.pro]

I am a Mac guy also. Dual screens : )

Snacks and drinks for free! My buddy has this where he works at a hosting company and he loves it; I would too.

Good lighting (natural is better indirect if possible), fresh air, ability to work from a coffee caffe (on campus)

Must have a really cute receptionist that is told to smile at us geeks regardless!!!! : )

Good environment to collaborate on ideas.

A Keurig!!

Tickets to SEOmoz events.

I could go on...

[KrisRoadruck]

Go on!

[Getz.pro]

I look for a place that is challenging and give me access to people smarter than myself and the resources I need.

Fast computers, good music, plenty of sugar and caffeine.

Comfortable chairs. We site for hours and need chairs that will keep us focused on work and not on our back!

Did I mentions fast computers! Macs preferably! I just rocked a new 27" iMac and everyone hates me now : )

If you want people to act like they are on top of their game, you need to put them there. Look at Apple. They expect EVERYTHING from their employees and from what I hear, they give them everything they need to achieve that.

Just to be sure, did I mention dual 27" monitors and free skittles? Just saying : )

And for the love of Pete, the fastest internet connection you can give!!!!!!!!!

SEOmoze membership.

A visit from Rand would be VERY cool

Environment that allows me to walk around and brainstorm ideas and get feedback.

But not one that is very noisy. Sometimes we need to concentrate (myself on code) and need some quiet time. So perhaps a place to go and work for certain things and the desk for others.

is this what you are looking for?

[Thos003]

Really?...

Start with the basics.

• Comfortable leather seats.

• Large Duel Screens

• Frig and Microwave

Upgrades

• Stocked Frig

• Multiple Stall Bathroom

Posh

• Creative Room - Would include music, Art couch... maybe even paintbrush, video camera, digital camera, piano, books, magizines

-  Strategy Room - Wall of reference books, Board Games with game table, more of a quite feel.

• Social Butterfly room - Bar, bar stools, Soda fountain, chips, dips... if it were AZ I would include a Shaved Ice machine.

But really... I am all about the duel monitors with right webmaster suite programs and I am happy... Phone would be optional.

[Thos003]

Do "my little ponies" count in your book?

[Getz.pro]

WOW! Just what I was posting but much more eloquent.

Can I add to have Thomas do all our writing : )

[Thos003]

Haha.. Nice. Don't give away my secret, but I love writting.

[KrisRoadruck]

Well we are just south of seattle so SEOmoz events are definitely something we like to send our people too. I dunno if the Moz crew would go for it but a fieldtrip to the mozplex would certainly be something we'd be open to (in reference to your bit about a visit from rand)

As far as Mac vs PC we pretty much give people whatever computer they want! To us its a bit of a no-brainer to let people pick out their favorite computer as its their primary tool.

I love all these suggestions!

[Getz.pro]

Very cool. I am moving to San Diego next week so I hope some trips to the Mozplex are in my future also.

Best of luck and post some pictures when you are done.

sudo@seosudo.com

[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.