Many businesses dream of retaining their staff for years. They want to hold onto the people who make them successful.
But how is that done?
Well, one option is to think outside the box and use your office kitchen. While it might sound unconventional, it can be a highly effective strategy if you get it right.
But what do you need to do?
That’s the real question.
Fortunately, this post has some answers. We look at some of the ways you can use kitchen areas as mechanisms to encourage staff to stick with you instead of looking for opportunities elsewhere.
Stock It With Snacks Employees Want
First, you’ll want to look at how you’re stocking your kitchen. Don’t do what most companies do and work with a local vending machine supplier that crams every space in the kitchen with unhealthy items. Instead, give your staff the impression you’re looking after them with fresh food and low-salt options.
These won’t be particularly popular. But at least they give health-conscious people what they want. Your kitchen turns from a minefield into something that encourages your best staff to stay.
Offer Perks, Like Ground Coffee
Next, think about how you can upgrade your drinks. Ideally, what you offer should be free. You shouldn’t be charging staff for drinks, even if they come from a third-party vending machine. That’s bad form.
Therefore, make sure workers don’t have to pay for them. Then, ensure they can make drinks professionally, perhaps using ground coffee. These taste so much better than instant.
Keep Everything Working Well
Also, think about how you’re going to keep everything working well. Chances are, your office kitchen will have a large number of heavy-use appliances.
As such, you’ll want to ensure you have someone on your team who can maintain it all.
Make sure you have the proper fridge parts you need to put refrigerators back together (if the need arises). The same goes for coffee machines, microwaves, and even ovens if you have them.
Create An Inviting Space
You can also create an inviting space in your kitchen. Making it more welcoming encourages people to use it.
For example, you could use comfortable seating and good lighting. You could also turn it into a “break out” space where colleagues can discuss their ideas next to the proverbial water cooler.
You want to make your kitchen into a kind of lounge (unless you’re using it to produce meals at high volume). This way, you can cut down space requirements elsewhere while giving colleagues what they want.
Be Sustainable
Finally, you could look at using your kitchen sustainably as a way to retain staff. Setting it up in a way that conforms with colleagues’ values can be a highly effective strategy in some businesses.
For example, if your staff care about the environment, you could insist on reusable plates and mugs. You could also compost waste food or use low-energy appliances that are frugal with electricity.
Whatever it is, make it conspicuous to ensure staff stay.
