Starbucks isn't exactly private. It is a public place available to anyone. It's a meeting place, a hang-out. You can also people-watch in Starbucks. But I have, many times when I'm out of sorts, entered a Starbucks, ordered a short coffee of the day, found a secluded spot, plop myself on desk, open my notebook and write. I usually remember the coffee only hours later when it's already cold and no longer tasty. Lost in my writing, I find myself again.
I know I'm not alone. I know others do their work in cafes too. I know there's a lot of you readers out there who suddenly find their productive/prolific selves when they're at a cafe. Is it the unobtrusive jazz music? Is it the smell of caffeine in the air? Is it the lighting? Is it the round table and wooden chairs? I really don't know. But many a poem or novel has been begun at or finished in a cafe.
Right now I want to run from my office desk and to the Starbucks downstairs. The temperature there is not freezing like here in the office. And no one seems to mind you because they've either buried their noses on their laptop screens, or are busy reading the newspaper while chatting with their friends. There is something about how cafes are made that puts me into a good working mood.
So this is my proposition to those wanting to start their own companies. If you want to make your employees happy and productive, do not seat them side-by-side in computer cubicles or stations. Scratch off those swivel office chairs from your budget list. Don't worry about what color paint you'll use on the walls.
Instead, set up a counter of sorts where coffee or frap and some pastries are readily available upon order. Put up a condiments area where there's cinnamon and chocolate sprinkles in glass bottles. Add a hefty stash of coffee stirrers and napkins and muscovado sugar in packets. Don't forget the thermos for milk.
Get round wooden tables and surround each with at two to three wooden chairs. Set up a laptop per table. This will be the employees' work station. Each employee will get one table of his own each, and they have to be comfortably apart.
Glass walls are a must. So are high ceilings. The lighting should not be flourescent, and not too bright. You've the option of wall-to-wall carpeting or polished wood floors. Hang some neglectable paintings. They don't have to be about coffee. And oh! Clean restrooms, too, with soap and giant tissue paper rolls!
Each time a worker arrives on time, he gets a stamp on his card. When he has collected enough stamps, he gets something special.
I assure you, your employees will be happily reporting to work each morning. Productivity, too, will rise. Your business goals will be met. And when your people call in sick, they won't be lying.
