PERKS @ WORK in Silicon Valley

How older Silicon Valley companies are changing their Culture to attract more good workers.

From SJ Mercury News 08 Sept 13 enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz

Latest Perks in Silicon Valley
Older tech companies are competing with Facebook, Google & young Startups for good talent. Here’s what they’re doing or offering at some or all of their offices [listed alphabetically]:

ADOBE: 1) Open workspaces, 2) Commute assistance, 3) Oil changes & similar auto services onsite, 4) Bike share & repair, 5) Free snacks & drinks, 6) low-cons Lunches, 7) Mobile hair stop, 8) Basketball courts, 9) Gyms, 10) Tele-commuting, 11) Beer bashes, 12) Sabbatical program

CISCO: 1) Open, unassigned work-spaces, 2) You’re up to your own devices (in computing), 3) Private listening rooms, 4) Collaborative spaces that include countertop workspaces, rolling tables in conference rooms, 5) Creativity rooms such as art studios or game centers, 6) Fitness centers, 7) Tuition assistance, 8) On-site child-care and many more.

FACEBOOK: 1) Bikes furnished to ride around the 57 acre Campus in Mt View, 2) Bike Repair (on-site) if you use your personal bike for this, 3) Facebook merchandise at cost for yourself & to give to family & friends, 4) Free Computer Accessories (cables, mice, headphones, etc), 5) IT Help Desks in over 40 of their most significant Buildings, 6) It’s okay to write on the Walls (a full-size Black or White Board) with your new ideas, to leave a message or if you feel creative, 7) Sweat, no, Sweet Shop, 8) two Cafes of free food, 9) free Micro-Pantry with Snacks & Drinks, 10) Video Arcade to play Games during lunch & other times 11)–??) many – too numerous to mention.

GOOGLE-PLEX [Perks] 1) on-site free Haircuts, 2) Fitness Center – swim-in-place pool, 3) Play Center (pong, billiards & other games, 4) Laundry Center, 5) Medical Clinic on-site, 6) Massage service, 7) 20% Rule where you can work 20% of your time on your own ideas (which has resulted in new innovations), 8) Young & older Child Care and many, many more.

Target: Many of Google’s perks appeal to young people fresh out of college. The Google-plex provides a gentle transition from the academic world into the corporate environment. But what about employees who have moved beyond the campus lifestyle? Not all of their benefits have fared as well.

INTEL: 1) Mobile workspaces, 2) Collaboration spaces, 3) Corporate Jet, [I could go for this one, Wiz4biz], 4) Tele-commuting, 5) Non-standard Work hours, 6) Reimbursements for classes, 7) Corporate shuttles to different buildings, 8) Sponsors student Tailgate parties or Spa days, depending on preference of group

YAHOO: 1) Free Food at numerous Cafeterias, 2) Free Smart-phones, 3) Longer new-child leave than typical, 4) Eight weeks leave for every five years worked, 5) Adoption assistance, 6) on-site Fitness Centers or reimbursements for your personal club and many more.

Sources: Companies’ Reps & Websites

Comments: Give you some ideas of some Perks you’d like to offer to get the best people for your organization?