HOW TO CREATE A COOL WORKPLACE AND COOL WORKPLACE PERKS ON A BUDGET

Whether you have employees or you don’t you are going to need to learn how to have fun, create a cool environment that people want to work in on a budget. You cannot blow all of yours or your businesses cash on celebrations, perks, fun, and office design….but that doesn’t mean you should have these things, so in this article we wanted to share some tips. Now if you are an army of one you can still apply this even with your own celebrations (IE your birthday), but I will be writing it from the point of view of a business owner building up an environment that will attract talent. 

Before we start, I do want you to know that nothing…I repeat NOTHING… will create a better workplace than a strong mission and vision. People ultimately want to know that what they do matters, the people they do it for matter, and the people they are working with notice they matter. This is why you should always start with your What and Why on your Legacy Map, so if you have not done this, you should probably start here. That said, if this is done and communicated check out the ideas before for really getting your workplace humming on a budget. 

Let’s start with some tips on how to celebrate with your team (or on your own) without breaking the bank. 

1. HAVE AN OFFICE POTLUCK

Invite all office employees or you can even do this one with clients. Have each employee (or client for a little something different) bring a dish. You take care of the main dish….this is great because the conversation as everyone prepares for the meal will be a good way of connecting, and you don’t need to spend as much on food. 

2. A PICNIC IN THE PARK

Pack a picnic lunch and head to your local park for a great employee bonding session. Bring sandwiches, fruit, and drinks, and enjoy a day in the sun with your team. You can even bring a frisbee or soccer ball for some fun physical activities.

3. DO A GAMES NIGHT

Invite employees or clients over for a game night. You can play board games, cards, or video games. Make it a poker night, go rent an old Nintendo for a retro night. You can even make it a potluck dinner party where everyone brings their favorite snacks and drinks.

Or you can take them out on a hike, for a bike ride etc. 

FOR THE OFFICE

1. DIY DECORATIONS

Encourage employees to create their own decorations for their workspaces. This can be done by hosting a decorating contest or providing employees with a small budget to purchase decor for their desks or the office. Ask employees what their talents are, someone might be a great cook, or a terrific painter, or great at refurbishing or working with wood. I remember visiting Canva when they were still in Western Australia and Cliff (Co Founder) had asked someone to do a graffiti style mural on one of the offices inner walls. Very cool. 

2. REFURBISH OLD FURNITURE

Instead of buying new furniture, repurpose old furniture to create unique and interesting pieces. For example, an old dresser can be repurposed as a bookshelf, or a ladder can be repurposed as a plant stand. MJB Seminars offices have a couple of refurbished pieces that look quite cool in an office setting.

3. UTILIZE NATURAL LIGHT & BRING IN NATURE

Instead of investing in expensive lighting fixtures, utilize natural light to create a bright and inviting space. This can be done by installing large windows or skylights. Also, use plants to make the place look great. Keep to the succulents and snake plants as they are easier in terms of upkeep. 

4. OFFER YOUR WALLS AS A LOCAL ART GALLERY

incorporate art and photography into the office design to create a more interesting and visually appealing space. This can be done by hosting art exhibitions or installing photography prints on the walls.

5. CONSIDER RENTING

If you're hosting a special event or want to change the look of your office for a short period of time, consider renting furniture instead of buying it. Think renting when looking at the equipment in your office as well. 

If you really want to or feel like you need to splurge, make sure you create a plan. A financial plan, build out a budget, and create an account. Take a percentage of each sale and place it into that account. Prioritize, don’t do it all at once. Be creative and flexible about how  you can achieve similar results, and look for deals. 

By incorporating these budget-friendly ideas, you can create a unique and interesting office space and workplace culture that will impress your employees, clients and visitors without breaking the bank. Remember to be creative and think outside the box when it comes to office design and perks.

Mike Johnston

CoFounder & Architect of Evolve