The perfect work environment?
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My company Click2Rank is building a new office we are opening around June. Since we will be hiring a bunch of SEOs and Programmers we want it to be basically the perfect geek hangout spot. Knowledge workers need a great place to hang their hat. So I thought I'd reach out to the community and ask.. if your office could look like anything... what would it include?
You can pretty much ask for anything... xbox360? Unlimited supply of energy drinks and food? A nice big couch? Accent wall? plants? fountain? desks shaped like your favorite animal? a pinball machine?
Lay it on me. Your dream work environment what does it look like (think office obviously we know for a lot of people your dream office is netcommute from home but thats not helpful in this instance)
Think about both your personal workspace as well as the total office/community space in the office. Thanks in advance! Feel free to attach pictures as well!
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Hmm, tough question
For me... triple monitors, a high-end Mac Pro w/ Apple Cinema Displays. An exercise ball at my desk so I can switch between that and a chair so I can maintain great posture (I have horrible posture).
The desk should be quality, nothing cheesy or flimsy, big surface area.
For the actual office...
Pool table and air hockey are a must. Unlimited supply of purified water. Unlimited supply of grass-fed beef jerky that was made with no sugar, sugar substitutes, or MSG. Also an endless supply of meats and cheeses.
There should be a nice 60" big screen somewhere w/ xbox/PS3 and cable. Tied into Netflix.
Ability for each employee to customize their work environment, paint the floor, desk, etc... personalize, no matter what they want.
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If you're working with Teams then a training area with whiteboard is a must-have. Said area should perhaps be viewable from the normal working environment for added after-effect.
Enough space between you and the person nearest, but enough proximity to feel that you can freely communicate good ideas.
Anyone ever Split-Tested a workspace, or know of anyone who has? Would be very interested to know if this got better results.
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For me, an ideal office would have all of the comforts of home, but all of the efficiencies of an office.
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lots of light
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brightly colored walls and/or artwork
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dog bed
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quiet rooms for napping on those really long days
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good kitchen stocked with lots of snacks and drinks
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open floor plan
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lots of great businesses around helps too
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ponies
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comfortable and creative meeting spaces
ooooh I could go on and on, but I think those are some of my wish list items
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My ideal office:
- Pool table
- Large screen TV with sports on 247
- 3 monitors with top end computers (helps productivity)
- nice views
- lots of free snacks and drinks (fruit box!)
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Why stop at 3 monitors when you can have 6! Pics attached are my actual computer at the office.
6x 27in LED monitors on articulating arms.
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Fantastic ideas. Really like the napping room!
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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...
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Go on!
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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?
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Really?...
Start with the basics.
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Comfortable leather seats.
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Large Duel Screens
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Frig and Microwave
Upgrades
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Stocked Frig
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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.
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Do "my little ponies" count in your book?
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WOW! Just what I was posting but much more eloquent.
Can I add to have Thomas do all our writing : )
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Haha.. Nice. Don't give away my secret, but I love writting.
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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!
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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.
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Definite must haves:
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comfortable chairs
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choice of computers
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dual or triple monitors (big ones!)
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free drinks/snacks
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big whiteboard
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solid desks with a good amount of space
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break room with some form of entertainment - pool, air hockey, ping ping, something like that
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open space (no cubes!) - preferably with desks facing eachother for easy communication
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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.
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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 offendedone of the reaons i work from home
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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.
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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.
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