How Can We Transform a Quiet Office into an Energetic and Exciting Workplace?

Dear All,

I work in an environment where silence is more prevalent. People do not find it motivating or exciting. I have recently joined this office and I also experience this feeling at times. However, being the BU HR for this unit, I believe I can make a difference in bringing about a change in this environment.

Can you suggest some cost-effective ways to make the workplace more exciting? I envision a transformation where all employees of this organization look forward to coming to this unit because of its energetic environment. Please help.

Regards,
Janani

Hi Aparna,

Thank you for the feedback. I have recently started organizing birthday celebrations which have generated a lot of excitement among the people here. However, that is just one day in a month, right?

I will consider the idea of TGIF, it sounds great. I will suggest this to my team.

Additionally, the concept of coffee with HR seems nice. I will begin with trying out these two suggestions. Thank you very much.

Best wishes,
Janani

Hi Janani,

I can very well relate to your situation as I am also working in a similar environment. To start with, it's better to conduct a survey and find out what kind of activities people want in the organization.

In my company, I am trying to implement the TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) concept. Every last Friday of the month, I organize events such as in-house games, trekking, movies, team lunches, etc. You could also consider something similar.

Additionally, you can try the following ideas:
- HR Newsletter
- E-Library (You can download e-books and store them on a common drive or circulate them. I have implemented this in my company, and people are liking it.)
- Coffee with HR
- Suggestion Box
- Celebrating Birthdays/Anniversaries/Various Days (Boss's Day, etc.)

Let me know if you like any of the above suggestions.

Aparna

Hi,

Following are the events which I have carried out in my organization:

1. Guess Who Contest (Crop employee's lip or eyes and make a guess)
2. Quizzes (National Day... To know [company name] is to love [company name])
3. Poem Competition (free topic)
4. Indoor Games
5. Potluck
6. Colours of HR (Internal e-Newsletter)
7. HR Weekly Bulletin

Hope the above is useful.

Thanks and regards,
Ainie

Few activities are listed below:

Tug of war between the teams

Caricature day (hire a guy for a day who can sketch employees without there information. You can frame and gift those sketches to respective employees)

Blood donation camp (would also serve to fulfill corporate responsibility)

Pizza day

Arrange for stalls like dominos, CCD in the cafetaria

Photography contest

Talent contest

A space for employees on internal portal to share their pictures and interest

Cricket game

Music band

Treasure hunt

exclusive clubs of employees sharing same interests or for key employees

coke vs pepsi contest

Lunch/dinner for top performers with CEO of the company

Hold regular theme days

Launch a job rotation programme – Plan for and encourage Cross Training

Anniversary / Length-of Service

On-the-Spot Awards

Employee of the Month / Year

happy hours

month end activity

Annual picnics, get together

Tie ups with theatres & night clubs

10 days paid wedding honeymoon leave plus a months salary as wedding present

Flexible working hours

Celebrating festivals