The perfect work environment?

[KrisRoadruck]

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!

[Jioewbvu]

This post is deleted!

[Superb]

I really like the list by Thomas Ballantyne, the only thing I would like to add in it is the monthly points that one get (performance based) to buy techie stuff from Google store, job related book and other stuff.

This can give the productivity boost as most of the techie folks including me are good fan of Google stuff, T-shits, books and other research materials. It would be awesome if company help me buying those based on my performance.

[Superb]

This is ideal... perfect environment where employees can easily come up with the ideas and productivity, which is most important at the end of the day.

[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.

[AaronSchinke]

Man, sounds like I had it better than what I thought!

[-Al-]

Nice bit of Soundgarden on the player there...

[augustos]

in adding of what the other guys said...

bring the pets to office

[augustos]

awesome!

[firstconversion]

working from home when you like

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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

[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!

[Thos003]

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

[Getz.pro]

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

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

[Thos003]

Do "my little ponies" count in your book?

[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.

[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?

[KrisRoadruck]

Go on!

[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]

Fantastic ideas. Really like the napping room!

[KrisRoadruck]

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.

k5sW3.jpg IC3R7.jpg

[NextDigital51]

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!)

[KBolsinger]

For me, an ideal office would have all of the comforts of home, but all of the efficiencies of an office.

• lots of light

• brightly colored walls and/or artwork

• dog bed

• quiet rooms for napping on those really long days

• good kitchen stocked with lots of snacks and drinks

• open floor plan

• lots of great businesses around helps too

• ponies

• comfortable and creative meeting spaces

ooooh I could go on and on, but I think those are some of my wish list items

[magicrob]

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.

[DavidKauzlaric]

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.