Jaw-dropping Company Headquarters

Company benefits are reaching beyond insurance and vacation time and are moving into a revolution of the actual workspace. Everyone has the image of Google and Amazon’s headquarters in their mind; with dog parks, rainforests and nap pods galore, but that isn’t the only innovative space in the business world. From themed rooms to sustainability, these companies have some of the most exciting office spaces around.

Warby Parker

Glasses brand Warby Parker not only has a love for fashionable glasses but for books as well. Their Manhattan headquarters offers employees access to a library, a reading room, and of course, reading glasses. Read about the space and how employees like it here.

Dropbox

Cloud storage solution company Dropbox has worldwide offices, but their San Francisco headquarters, designed by Rapt Studio is an innovative space that allows for collaboration, quiet individual work, and a “neighborhood” set up to cater to the needs of each team. See a photo compilation of the office here.

Casper

New York City-based mattress company Casper was recently renovated and redesigned by FLOAT Studio, to create a workplace that fit in with the brand identity. The office includes sustainable construction, flexible meeting spaces and even nap pods. See the space here.

Sonos

Sonos’ Seattle headquarters bills itself as the “greenest commercial building in the world”, and based off of this GeekWire feature, it may be the most musical as well.  This modern and sleek office space make using the word headquarters the wrong descriptor though, as the company has a slew of conference rooms to meet with other Sonos “headquarters” around the world.

Squarespace

If you’ve built a website using Squarespace you know that the platform is simple but modern, and the company’s New York City offices follow the same formula. Built to be the most functional space for both collaborative and individual work, all without sacrificing design and comfort. See the office here and here.

Epic Systems Corporation

Medical software company Epic is aptly named, and the word epic can be used to describe almost everything about the company, especially when it comes to their headquarters. The Verona, Wisconsin campus is a grand adventure, with themed rooms, individual offices for every employee, a gorgeous view of the surrounding farmland, and an Indiana Jones styled hallway. See the campus here, and check out this video tour for a more in-depth look.

Like this post? Read more at http://steverenner.com/blog-2/

Build a Better Team: Team Building Activities For An Improved Team Dynamic

Do you want to improve office morale and employee motivation as well as build teams that function more productively, with active communication and trust? Team building may be the way to go. Gone are the days of goofy games that were designed to foster “natural” strengthening of a team, and in their place are activities that can actively change how your teams work together.

Escape Room

Work together to solve a puzzle, beat a timer and escape a situation, whether it’s a zombie, a nuclear bomb or stealing a priceless painting. These rooms are all the rage right now for families, friends and corporate events.

Ropes Courses

Face your fears and overcome these obstacle courses! From ziplining to climbing, these courses are often physically and mentally challenging.

Battle of the Bands (or Air Bands)

If you have a lot of musical talent in your team host a battle of the bands. Break into small groups and host a performance for the rest of the company or even for family and friends.

If you have a lack of musicians, host a battle of the air bands! Break into groups and lipsync, play air instruments and put on your dream concert. For both options, costumes and props can be encouraged.

Mini Golf

Challenge your team to a game of mini golf and foster some friendly competition. This is something that can be done year-round, at either an indoor and outdoor course, and many courses also feature other activities that can make for a whole day of entertainment.

Trivia Night

Trivia is a great way to learn about different non work related knowledge your co-workers have. Many restaurants are now offering weekly trivia nights, so if your team is up for evening activities this is a great option, but if this isn’t a possibility, set-up office trivia in a way that works for your team. Whether it’s one weekly question that gets posted on a whiteboard, or lunchtime trivial pursuit games, this is a great break and lets everyone’s talents shine.

Community Service

Do some good in the neighborhood and get involved with volunteering. From working with organizations like Feed My Starving Children, or Habitat for Humanity to adopting a roadway and doing a monthly garbage pickup, volunteering makes you feel good and brings your team together.

Canoeing or Kayaking

Physical activity and working towards a mutual goal are all ways that you can build a functional team. Try placing some competition in with a race and see how well team members function together.

One Night a Werewolf

This strategy based card game is app moderated, so everyone can participate. For groups of 3 to 10 people, you must work together in your secretly given roles to discover who the werewolf terrorizing your fictional village is.  No game is ever the same, so each round makes everyone work to be heard, and even more importantly: believed innocent.

Mealtime

Perhaps the easiest way to foster positive team relationships is simply to host a lunch, dinner or happy hour event. Food and drinks are a natural way to encourage conversation, bonding and learning about the people you work with.

   Like this post? Read more at http://steverenner.com/blog-2/

Small Business vs. Startup

When starting a new venture or running an existing business, with the immense amount of financial and personal investment that requires, semantics is the last thing one thinks about. Words like entrepreneur, business owner and CEO get thrown around pretty often, and with the rockstar allure that shows like Shark Tank have brought, their definitions are now practically common knowledge. The new buzzword, floating around the business world is startup, not to be confused with a small business … And so you don’t make that mistake, here is a breakdown!

Startup

Definition: A startup is an entrepreneurial venture which is typically a newly emerged, fast-growing business that aims to meet a marketplace need by developing or offering an innovative product, process or service.

Major Keys:

• Rapid Growth
• Passion
• Innovation
• Market disruption

Small business

Definition: The definition of a small business is an independently owned and operated company that is limited in size and in revenue depending on the industry.

Major Keys:

• Profit
• Existing
• Longevity
• Market share

Startup vs Small business

A small business can have products or services that have been around for millennia, creating for itself a space in the current market. Small business’ hope to grow quickly, but more important than growth is first revenue and then profit, versus a startup’s main priority being explosive and exponential growth. A startup would put a new spin on an old product or service, or better yet, create something brand new. Startups aren’t concerned with gaining market share, they are here to to turn the existing market on its head. As you can see, although startups and small business’ have similarities, there are some fundamental differences in structure and purpose.

Like this post? Read more at http://steverenner.com/blog-2/

Coworking Spaces: The Future of Global Business?

Coworking spaces are starting to become more common throughout major cities, especially in places that are considered tech hubs, or that are home to many small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs.

COCO (Minneapolis/St Paul)

COCO has five locations throughout the twin cities, and is part of LexC, a network of coworking spaces throughout the US. Offering spaces for individuals, small groups or larger meetings, the amenities that are available make these spaces comfortable, workable and great for networking.

WeWork (Worldwide)

WeWork has spaces all over the US, Europe, South America as well as in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Australia, and Israel. Started in 2010, community was the focus behind WeWork. The company hosts camps, parties and on location amenities dedicated to creating connections with others in the space.

Betahaus (Berlin, Barcelona, Hamburg, Sofia)

These European coworking spaces were founded in 2009. Many of the members of the coworking spaces are freelancers. Betahaus hopes to bring the social aspect to people that work in jobs that are usually isolated. Different types of memberships are available depending on the amenities that you need to access.

Punspace (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

With locations in Nimman and Tha Phae Gate, Punspace offers 24/7 access for members, with business focused amenities. For Thailand’s growing tourist market, Punspace’s coworking in Chiang Mai offers a beautiful and functional way to work.

KoHub (Koh Lanta, Thailand)

A coworking hub on a tropical island, KoHub allows for work and play in a productive and welcoming community. Just minutes from the beach, this getaway lets you enjoy island life while getting everything you need done.  KoHub even offers on location room and board packages for those looking to take a vacation even if work has to come along.

Hubud (Bali)

Hubud, named for being a Hub in Ubud promotes what they call “location independence” for people looking to work and live how they want. Partnering with global activist groups you can work, live and volunteer all from one central location. The founders of Hubud showcase four main values: community, connectivity, creativity and conversation.

Impact Hub (Worldwide)

Creating a global network of members attempting to change the face of the work space was Impact Hub’s goal from their beginning in 2005. With over 15,000 members and more than 80 locations in the US, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, South America and the Caribbean, Impact Hub offers inspiration, flexibility and community to their members. Events and programs to help members build their businesses are all offered to increase the collectivity within the environment.

What do you think of trend of coworking spaces? Do you or would you use them? Let me know in the comment section.

Like this post? Read more at http://steverenner.com/blog-2/