Ah, spring. The flowers are in bloom. The birds are chirping. The sun is shining. No? Not in that happy-go-lucky-spring-kind-of-mood? If you still have a case of the winter blues, you’re not alone. For the most part, the weather has been dismal. The days have been cloudy, cold, and wet. Not to mention, this season doesn’t provide any long holiday breaks. So, unless you have a trip to a tropical island planned, you may be feeling like the weeks are dragging on. If the atmosphere in your office is looking a little stale, it is time to make some improvements. Shaking things up can do wonders for team morale, productivity levels, and efficiency. Here are three ways to manage the springtime blues at the workplace from LinkNow Media:
Switch Up Your Office Décor
Despite what you may have heard, there is no muse. Any type of creative endeavor takes time, practice, and hard work to master. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the motivation to come up with a new project or an original idea, and this weather certainly isn’t helping. Switching up the look of your office can be that extra kick your team needs to get out of an inspiration rut. Consider hanging up artwork, rearranging office furniture, or bringing in bean bag chairs. Creative-types tend to come up with the best ideas when lying down.
Spice Up Your Bonuses
Nothing fuels motivation like sports tickets, a day at a spa, or a dinner for two at a fancy restaurant. A day of relaxation or a night out on the town can go a long way in keeping an employee engaged in their work. Sure, cash is king, but by implementing alternative incentives like the ones mentioned above, you are also providing employees with an experience. The fun and relaxation that an employee gets outside of work is sure to be carried over into the office.
Provide Team Building Activities
Despite the terrible weather we’ve been receiving lately, a beautiful day is bound to rear its head sooner or later. A great way to boost morale inside the office is by holding a fun event outside the office. An outdoor picnic or barbeque will provide employees with the opportunity to usher in clear, blue skies and interact with co-workers in a casual setting. Besides food, your picnic can include fun games, like potato sack races, frisbee, tug-of-tar, and scavenger hunts. Adding these types of activities can help foster relationships among employees who don’t usually interact.
Final Thoughts
Innovation doesn’t come easy when things are the same day in and day out. Don’t be afraid to change things up, and be creative when it comes to making improvements – a creative environment is the best way to instill creativity.
What’s your business doing to get over this end-of-March hurdle? At LinkNow Media, we’d love to hear how you’re keeping things fresh and exciting. Let us know in the comments section below.