Five smart ways to stimulate creativity

A whopping 69 percent of employees say they cannot fully utilize their creativity and that their environment does not invite creativity.

Research by Steelcase and Microsoft shows that 77 percent of employees see creativity as one of the most important qualities in the future. At the same time, a whopping 69 percent of employees say they cannot fully utilize their creativity and that their environment does not invite creativity. How is it possible that something so important is so rarely put into practice? But more importantly: how do you stimulate creativity in the workplace? We lists 5 relatively simple ways to stimulate creativity in the workplace and let your employees work with more pleasure and productivity.

Here are five relatively simple ways:

• Maintain a good posture: the creative thinking process is promoted by changing posture, moving but also relaxing during the day. Create an environment where it is possible to focus, consult with colleagues, relax and move. For example, look for a Gesture, the office chair specifically designed to support new postures. Handy when you’re working on your mobile device and don’t want to experience back pain at the end of the day. Definitely avoid the position at your desk where you rest your head with your hand supported on the worktop.

• Material choices are important: activate the senses with different types of fabrics, patterns and colors that can calm, but also stimulate. Choose different products and materials that exude craftsmanship.

• Keep enough distance: Where people work together, there should be enough space between them for everyone to feel comfortable. Use acoustic screens, walls, other furniture or plants to define spaces. This creates spaces that feel more permanent and provide a place for focus when needed. Also check out the Brody Worklounge. A combination of these variables for individual work. The work surface can be easily adjusted to bring your laptop or tablet to eye level, the lounge offers semi privacy in an open space and offers just that little bit of distance from the work floor.

• Make it personal: Make the space personal, matching your corporate DNA so that the work environment feels more like your own space. For example, use visuals or film on glass, where you can indicate your own pattern work. The growing trend towards more customization and customizable items is getting easier. This calls for radically different collections that go further than just the standard white desks and black office chairs. Be inspired and dare to be different.