Boosting Morale & Productivity: Happy Workplace Tips

March 1, 2024
Back

Check out our tips for creating a happy workplace and an awesome culture for your company!

Discover the keys to enhancing your company's culture, morale, and productivity with our curated selection of happy workplace ideas. Whether you're a startup striving for cohesion or a seasoned corporation aiming to reinvigorate your teams, our strategies are tailored to strengthen and motivate your workforce. 

The importance of a happy workplace

Creating a positive work environment isn't just about providing perks or occasional team outings; it's about fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated. 

Furthermore, a happy workplace isn't just a corporate luxury. In fact, it’s crucial for maintaining high morale and productivity levels. Studies have consistently shown that employees who feel satisfied and fulfilled in their jobs are more engaged, innovative, and committed to their organization's goals. 

Moreover, a positive work environment can lead to lower turnover rates, reduced absenteeism, and ultimately, greater success for you. So, if you are on the hunt for strategic happy workplace ideas it’s worth the time and investment. This is especially true for companies looking to thrive in today's competitive landscape.

Valuable Tips for a Better Workplace 

Want tips to instantly boost employee morale and make your workplace reflect more positivity and happiness? Here are some ideas to help get you started.

1. Create an inclusive environment for your employees 

This is a valuable component of your company’s culture, and while it takes thoughtful consideration and training for leaders at all levels, it’s worth the investment. By encouraging open communication channels and actively listening to your employees, you can better learn what tools and resources they need to thrive. 

In addition, you will want to prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives to ensure all employees feel respected and valued for their individual contributions. After all, it is the uniqueness of your employees that generates different ideas and can help drive more innovation and success.

2. Celebrate Your Team’s Milestones 

Recognize employee milestones such as work anniversaries, promotions, or major achievements. Whether you recognize achievers in front of their peers, offer a bump in their salary, gift them with more vacation, or even surprise them with fun branded merch, commemorating their accomplishments will help your employees feel appreciated and valued. 

Thinking of offering branded merch to celebrate some of your team’s milestones? Why not involve employees in the swag selection process by soliciting their input and preferences? 

3. Incorporate Swag Into Onboarding  

Help reinforce your new hires decision to join your team with branded merchandise and essential items to kick start their journey with your company. Not only will onboarding help your newest employees feel appreciated from day one, but onboarding gifts like branded apparel and customized essentials will also help them feel a sense of belonging and inclusion from day one.

With clear goals and helpful training, a strong onboarding will set the stage and the expectations for job performance, while also encouraging team members and supporting employee retention. And, less turnover in and of itself can act as a morale boosters for employees. 

4. Create a Swag Store to Reward Performance

When it comes to understanding how to boost morale at work, sometimes all it takes is a great incentive. By implementing an employee rewards program for exceptional performance or going above and beyond, you can reinforce your appreciation to your team’s hard work while recognizing those who go above and beyond. 

When it comes to creating a fun and rewarding swag store that gives employees the flexibility to choose branded merch that resonates with them, check out our Lookbook or reach out to your Gemnote rep today!

5. Host Team Building Activities 

Team building activities offer fun ways to boost morale at work since they promote working together, sharing of ideas, and a sense of community. Best of all, there are plenty of interactive office games to boost morale that companies can incorporate to reward remote teams as well.

In addition to helping fuel healthy competition and camaraderie, activities to boost morale in the workplace can be combined with company branded apparel and merch so all of your employees can feel included. Plus, these are terrific reminders that, at the end of the day, we’re all on the same team. 

6. Support a charity event 

Whether it’s to help raise money or awareness for a cause your company gives back, a charity that’s near and dear to your heart, or lending a hand in the community, bringing your team together to donate their time and energy is a great way to help teams come together and give back. 

By providing customized merchandise for charity events and community activities, your employees can feel more included with their team members,  while having something tangible to remind them of the meaningful work they did. 

Custom product Ideas help foster your happy workplace 

Now that you’ve discovered what makes a happy workplace, explore our branded swag and custom merchandise picks to help accelerate your efforts. 

1. Everyday Essentials

When it comes to the best custom merchandise for teams, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. In fact, having everyday items your recipients will want to use or wear on repeat makes for the best items. 

Case in point, long sleeve graphic tees and go-anywhere totes like these from Urban Outfitters that prove with the design, even basics are anything but boring. 

Photo courtesy of Urban Outfitters; Shown: Long Sleeve Graphic Tee + Graphic Tote

2. On-the-Go Faves

You don’t have to commute to the office or have a hybrid schedule to appreciate these functional picks! From workdays to weekends, traveling, and just running errands, branded hip packs and caps offer added convenience no matter what our schedule calls for. 

Photo courtesy of Only New York; Shown: Fanny Pack and Logo Caps

3. Name Brand Apparel

While some custom merch is designed for giveaways and employee swag stores, others are for top-tier incentives, high-end gifts, and the like. If you are looking for luxe gift ideas that will leave them talking now and in the future, you can’t go wrong with name brand apparel. 

From outdoor brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Topo Designs and the like to athletic wear by Adidas, Champion, Nike, Vuori, and more, your Gemnote rep can help you find all the best brands that are perfect for showcasing your company logo.

 

Shown: Patagonia Torrent Shell Jacket 

4. Sustainable Drinkware

For companies looking to reward their teams and embrace sustainability and reduce waste, reusable bottles are a must! However, when it comes to finding the right product, the vast selection can feel overwhelming. 

Luckily, we can help you find brands that do more than fit your budget. For instance, Ocean Bottles like the one shown below fund the collection of 1000 ocean-bound plastic bottles—before they enter the ocean. To date, they have collected over 13,000 tons of ocean-bound plastic and stopped it from reaching our ocean. 

Shown: Ocean Bottle 

Another customizable product favorite is the MiiR® tumbler which helps fund important giving projects. As for the company, they keep their giving transparent by adding Give Back Code to their products that can be registered and tracked online. So your recipient can see how their custom swag gift is making a difference. To date, Miir has donated to over 95 nonprofit organizations, in 26 countries, funded over 3M grants, and donated over 16K products. 

Shown: Flip Travel MiiR®

5. Bags and Backpacks

Sometimes organization is half the battle. Help your new hires and employees get and stay on track with backpacks designed with them in mind. From stylish silhouettes and colors to match every brand to a range of price points that respect any budget, your Gemnote rep can help you find the best pick for your company and your recipient. 

Shown: Topo Designs Rover Pack and Moleskine Metro Rolltop Backpack

6. Organization Must Haves

Sometimes just staying organized is half the battle. Luckily, a compact tech organizer like this one from Native Union is just the thing to keep cords, charger banks, earbuds, headphones, and the like nice neat and within reach. Perfect for commuters or space saving for everyday essentials, an organizer makes a  practical custom gift your employees will appreciate. 

Shown: Native Union Tech Organizer

7. Tech Faves 

When it comes to gifts that support your happy workplace ideas,best app for sports betting, portable Bluetooth speakers, like this one from Bang & Olufsen, keep the tunes and the fun going! They’re also ideal for using at your team building activities to boost morale too.  

Shown: Bang & Olufsen BlueTooth Speaker

Need more product ideas or tips to boost productivity and morale to create your company’s ideal happy space? Talk to your Gemnote rep today!  Our team of experts is dedicated to ensuring your branding and messaging are perfectly captured on every item so you can leave a lasting impression now and for years to come. 

We can help you create quality merch for your company that your teams and new hires are sure to love! Plus, we can also help you set up an employee swag store or even find wow-worthy custom apparel to delight your clients and customers as well. 

Ready to put these happy workplace ideas into action? Let Gemnote be your partner in fostering a vibrant and engaging work culture while also elevating your brand's presence in the marketplace. We really are your easiest way to design, create and send custom products! 

Are you working on a similar project or campaign?