The atmosphere and culture in your organisation are really important to the moral, energy and productivity in the office.

This has really come to light recently as two of our team have had to return to their native Australia, and the mood in the office has changed a lot.

I personally like quite a loud office, people talking and throwing ideas around, a bit of music, people laughing and enjoying their work. Obviously there needs to be urgency and focus in what you do, but the reason we do not all work from home, is that interacting with great people everyday breeds a great culture.

The office atmosphere is driven by a number of things:

• Layout and configuration – are your desks set for privacy, lone working or collaborative group working
• Music – do you play music or is there silence
• Personalities – let your personality shine, have fun, and contribute to discussions
• Collaboration area – do you have an area where people can sit, brainstorm and chat – comfy chairs for people to hang out in
• Books – we have a large library of books for people to browse to get the creative juices flowing
• Wall coverings – colourful or fun, paintings – we have huge space invader stencils on the wall
• Impromptu meetings – where everyone gets involves and shares their ideas

?WhatIf! do this very well, check out some of the pictures of their office: http://www.whatifinnovation.com/Space_for_Hire