Simple Ideas to Create a Corporate Wellness Program as a Startup Company
Are you the driving force of growth at your Startup? If you are, you know there is a seemingly unending list of items on your to-do list as you build your company.
No matter what industry or niche you are serving, to grow and flourish, you need a team of experts (or who are great at learning as they go) who will anticipate needs and ideas to support the company’s vision. In theory, this core group will take the list(s) you have prepared and make the ideas and tasks a reality. The simple act of getting things done can often keep and perpetuate a growth trajectory for any company.
As the leader of this forward-moving team, you are undoubtedly keenly aware of how valuable each member’s overall wellness, time, and energy are… including yours! Company wellness programs used to be considered a nice extra for large corporations. However, nowadays, it needs to be a strategic foundation for all companies, no matter the size. Even though you know this, it may be challenging to carve out time to build and share this sentiment.
Before bonuses or benefits such as an in-office lunch service, provide additional PTO days, bump up salaries and bonuses, or any fantastic, possibly high-priced benefit were enough. But where does that end? And how does the next one top the previous one to keep your core team together?
In any sized company, every single penny matters.
At a startup company, each penny means even more! Therefore, you need to choose benefits that show appreciation, clearly indicate the value of your team, give back to your team and company, and also act to entice new talent when required. Plus, selected benefits need to fit nicely into your budget.
Since you and your team probably spend more time at work than at home, occasionally enjoying a meal together is a good idea, as are notes of appreciation and increased pay when feasible. However, many companies (even startups) are seeing great strides by implementing a corporate wellness program. Corporate wellness programs can be implemented on a startup budget and should be to lay the foundation for future success. Beyond showing appreciation, encouraging healthier lifestyles, in and out of the office, creates a happier and more productive team.
With any new program or plan you decide to implement, starting with planning and research is a good idea. Ask your team what time of day they feel sluggish, if they need encouragement to move into healthier habits, or would appreciate having healthy snacks around the office. Your wellness program must not be complicated; it must be effective.
Free ideas for startups to use around the office:
Standing or walking meetings and work areas
Adjusted lighting for better screen time
Post a “healthy habit idea of the month” in the lunchroom
Play a calming music soundtrack in gathering spaces
Low-cost ideas for startups to use around the office:
Provide healthy snacks and beverages
Run a step count contest, rewarding the winner with a gift card for a healthy lunch spot
Book a chair masseuse for the day – enter your team into a raffle and pay for the winner’s session
Partner with a wellness coach to provide challenges, recipes, and encouragement regularly
No matter what you offer to the staff, choosing to focus on one area of health or many at a time, the benefits will be seen and felt in person and on your bottom line. Movement 1st Wellness is happy to consult with you to implement the plan that works best for the goals you have in mind.
Among other fantastic services, we now have an app that provides team-centered care powered by intuitive tech to connect, encourage, and track progress from anywhere. Movement 1st Wellness is excited to help you implement a corporate wellness plan at your office.
