Is it just a dream? Happy Workers, Happy Workplace

I find that sometimes we spend so much time trying to figure out how to run a successful business that we overlook that it can be as simple as happy workers and a happy workplace equals business success.

Can your business confidentially say that you have happy workers? If we stop to think about what this means and what you can do to build and foster a happy workplace it can potentially turn around your business.

Here are some tips and ideas to think about:

  • Look to create a welcoming environment. Provide the little things like some food for breakfast or morning tea or fresh fruit.
  • Acknowledge birthdays or special events in the employee’s life for example weddings or births
  • Provide thank you cards or opportunities so that workers acknowledge their co-workers and their contributions
  • Openly acknowledge employees who work and go above and beyond in their performance at work
  • Create the language/lingo to encourage happiness such as ‘well done team’, ‘thank you for your efforts’ and ‘it’s a great accomplishment’
  • Foster a workplace where you can voice your ideas and make it happen within reason of course.
  • Share achievements on social media, emails, town hall meetings or during key events
  • Align your workplace to your values and live it
  • Provide flexibility for work
  • Create an environment to enhance and drive innovative thinking
  • Take risks, step out of your comfort zone and create opportunities for success

Is there a link between happiness and business success?

Happy workers come to work, live and breath your values, work productively and create your business success. They link their personal values to the business and invest their efforts into succeeding. You see passion, energy and drive that flows through ideas, commitment and collaboration and all of this ensures your business meets or exceeds financial and strategic targets.

Your brand is recognised, and you attract and retain top quality talent. Happiness is an attraction itself. We all openly say we spend so much time at work so why not make it a place that fosters happiness? Do you want motivated employees who continue to strive to reach targets and look for innovative ways to grow your business?


recent study at the University of Warwick found that happiness led to a 12 percent spike in productivity, while unhappy workers were 10 percent less productive. The research team put it like this:

We find that human happiness has large and positive causal effects on productivity. Positive emotions appear to invigorate human beings. Under scientifically controlled conditions, making workers happier really pays off. Companies like Google have invested more in employee support and employee satisfaction has risen as a result. For Google, it rose by 37 percent. The driving force seems to be that happier workers use the time they have more effectively, increasing the pace at which they can work without sacrificing quality.

We all know that Google is recognised for its business successes time and time again. They clearly know their value, articulate it well and drive attention to their brand. So, can you turn around your culture and simply make it a happy place to work and can your place of work be the next Google!