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The sophistication of amenities Office amenities are shifting from a focus on whimsy to a focus on meaning, and that adds up to improved productivity and increased profitability.
A s someone who designs workplace environments, it’s fascinating to participate in the “amenity one-upmanship” happening at corporations around the world and at tech firms in particular. From ping pong tables and kegerators to massage and nap spaces, amenities are now ubiquitous to the workday experience. They reduce the formality of the office environment and encourage a higher level of socialization and camaraderie, each key contributors to workplace satisfaction. They make culture more tangible and visible, which in a red-hot market plays a strong role in recruitment, retention, and differentiation.
Ryan Mullenix
But amenities are also engineered for greater productivity. Keeping people on-site longer (with food and fitness centers), removing mundane hassles (by administering dry cleaning and haircuts), and providing time to explore one’s personal ideas – each perk is embedded with the hope that “found” time will increase returns to the company’s bottom line.
The formula is fairly straightforward: at work, more engagement + less stress = elevated creativity = improved productivity = increased profitability. When companies stay true to themselves and avoid a “copy and paste” approach, the outcome is usually a win-win for both the individual and management. This amenity surge has enabled organizations – through both
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