Always the coffee. It’s an interesting observation because it illustrates how important such issues are for the way people perceive their working lives and the cultures of the places in which they work.
Ask office workers what they look for in an ideal working environment and three items that will be close to the top of the list will be comfort, good coffee and reliable WiFi. What the best working environments offer to deliver this trinity is a combination of work, interaction and relaxation that makes the space both more attractive and productive. It’s a conduit for many of the most desirable objectives for the organizations, including personal well-being, recruitment and retention, serendipity, the development of relationships and the exchange of information.
The more general research into such issues backs up the idea that what most people want from their working environment is pretty straightforward. They want daylight, fresh air, rest, hygiene, flexibility, control, comfort, heat, socialization and coffee.
It is essential that modern office designs create a great experience for employees and visitors and also offer people a sense of community. So, one of the most important questions the 21st Century organization must ask itself is; when people can work from anywhere, how do we make the office the best possible choice?