Good facilities can affect staff engagement, brand performance and customer’s satisfaction.
Cleanliness and hygiene are human practices that throughout history have undergone different adaptations in their social and cultural contexts. Archaeological investigations indicate the existence of plumbing systems in ancient times. The baths and various other personal hygiene methods were quite common in Egyptian and Chinese societies.
The Greeks and Romans were the forerunners of hydraulic systems, channelling rainwater and river water, leading them to homes and to spa. And in the public baths happened meetings, conversations and agreements that drove both politics, arts and sciences.
In public areas, progress has been great through increased investment in technology and design. Today we have amazing washrooms in malls, restaurants, bars and leisure centres. Architects and designers have proven increasingly creative and resourceful to idealise these areas. In business offices, however, concern for the comfort and well-being in these areas is still modest. Business owners and managers still consider that this place should be restricted to ‘in and out’ place, where the employees should not stay for a long time.
Washrooms and coffee areas, considered great villains of productivity are now seen as partners of sociability and communication. Areas of relaxation, including places for reading, games, chat and even sports, are increasingly requested by the HR. So why not use the toilet as a nice and rewarding experience for your staff and customers?
No matter your company style, your facilities must reflect your brand narrative. It is an opportunity for a great experience between your customers and your brand.
There are many ways to make your washrooms so fantastic that staff and customers will appreciate your brand even more. You can use photographic, colourful and informative wall cladding and panels to replace tiles and resort to a warm and beautiful lighting, that at the same time can be economical.
Next to the care of architects and designers, there are a wide range of inventive and modern solutions to be explored that can improve hygiene. Hygienic finishes, creative wall cladding and automatic doors have been used for a long time, and the initial investment returns as a health benefit.
Fortunately, many companies have been pioneers in the exploration of the washroom space, making these areas an alternative space to implement actions aimed at stimulating expression of ideas and opinions.The guiding principle of this approach is that people are more spontaneous in these environments. And it is already possible to see in research on organisational climate, which changes were noted in the companies that paid attention to the opinions collected in their bathrooms. Some, more daring, are riding the wave to get honest reviews of the managers and executives.
Our relentless pursuit of quality of life and humanisation of corporate spaces becomes part of the company’s brand strategy. The Age of Taylorism brought us a lot of learning, but it is time to be aware that sobriety and rigidity are not necessarily great productivity motivating. In addition, there are the ergonomic aspects, favouring communication and aesthetics as great motivators of buyers, not to mention still feelings of recognition and commitment to fidelity, promoted by the nice and cosy shopping environment.