Today’s entrepreneurs know that if they want to attract the best talent, they must offer the best work culture. It only makes sense. We’re moving out of the industrial economy and into a more knowledge-based economy.

Additionally, according to Fast Company, the freelance economy is on the rise. This opens the door for workers who come in for some projects but not others. And it paves the way for new technologies to be embraced in the workplace. That being the case, entrepreneurs need to design a job environment that better fits with these and other trends.

The following five trends highlight some of the ways entrepreneurs are bringing a unique approach to the workplace:

1. Remote Teams

According to Help Scout, remote teams offer their employers some pretty significant advantages. Remote workers are typically more engaged in the work process AND they log more work hours than their traditional counterparts.

How is this possible? Firstly, these teams have learned to communicate with one another better. This skill set actually developed because these workers couldn’t talk to their co-worker directly. Instead, they had to learn to communicate clearly via media like email, Skype and Slack.

They also don’t get interrupted as much due to the asynchronous nature of their work. Basically, this means that when these workers log on to work, they work, and they work together.

It also seems that working together his another benefit: These team members actually feel a greater bond with one another than more traditional workers do. This may arise from shared work projects and shared values.

2. Work Retreats

Work retreats feel like a working vacation, and in many ways, offer your workforce the benefits of a vacation.

However, an article on the Entrepreneur website points out that work retreats can be so much more. These work-away-from-work vacations encourage entrepreneurs and their employees to look at work problems differently.

Much of this mental shift has to do with the change in work environment. Company bosses headquartered in big cities like New York or Chicago may want to ask their workers to take a weekend in the country. Additionally, many people, entrepreneurs included, view thinking time as downtime. However, truth be told, many people need some downtime: This allows new ideas to take form.

Often ideas can’t come forth while employees face general work responsibilities. (This also explains why people get so many good ideas in the shower: They’re relaxed enough to let things come together.) Finally, employees with different skills and talents get the opportunity to come together in one place and to brainstorm. This often leads to breakthroughs that wouldn’t happen any other way.

“That perfect tranquillity of life, which is nowhere to be found but in retreat, a faithful friend and a good library.” – Aphra Behn

3. Unlimited Time Off

Doesn’t unlimited time off just sound awesome? Of course, it does. This is one of the hottest and most unique workplace trends of 2017.

While it’s easy to believe that employees with unlimited time off (or unlimited vacation days) will never come to work, most of these programs have some parameters. Usually, the employee in question must get all of his/ her work done before taking the time off. He/ she must also check in with the boss about it.

That said, these programs offer employees and employers some excellent benefits. For one thing, employees aren’t left with vacation days they don’t use. On the flip side, employers aren’t paying for unused vacation days. And vacation gives employees and employers the time they need to recharge their mental and physical batteries.

As discussed, taking time away actually improves creativity and problem-solving abilities. Relaxed employees are productive employees in the end.

4. Hacking Health

Entrepreneurs concentrating on employee wellness and growth will have an advantage over the business owners who don’t.

In addition to offering programs like yoga and gym memberships, some entrepreneurs are taking things a step further. They’re embracing practices like fasting, office saunas, and nootropics to help employees live better and boost brain power at the same time.

While it may seem a bit… odd – to forego food in favor of brain supplements, the effects are beginning to pay off for company’s like Nootrobox. CEO Geoff Woo told Business Insider that, “[he and his employees often fast for] 36 hours.”

Fasting has a slew of health benefits, having been used for thousands of years to improve health and spiritual connection. Research suggests that fasting slows aging, increases the amount of Human Growth Hormone in the body, and reduces insulin sensitivity.

Coupled with the latest nootropics like Modafinil, and various nootropic blends (called “stacks”), Nootrobox employees are supercharging their daily productivity.

Workplaces that embrace these kinds of wellness program can reduce absenteeism as well as help to attract new talent. It also helps bolster employees’ health, which reduces the need for doctors’ visits. This lowers insurance premiums.

“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” – Buddha

5. More Gig Economy Workers

Entrepreneurs and employees both can benefit from the rise of the gig economy. The gig economy is a term that describes how companies are shifting from hiring employees to hiring contractors. The workplace in 2017 (and beyond) will be a mix of these two types of workers, according to Forbes, a full 93% of companies embrace this change.

And why not?  It’s good for both entrepreneurs – especially ones running startups – and employees. For the entrepreneur, it means only hiring workers when he/ she needs them.

This prevents employers from having to keep an employee on the payroll he/ she can’t afford. It also allows the entrepreneur to grow as a company because this business owner doesn’t have to do without services that he/ she needs.

The workplace in 2017 is going to change drastically. The savviest entrepreneurs keep up with these trends by embracing them. If you’re trying to revitalize your workforce, think about implementing one or more of these programs. You may just find that your bottom line improves and your company culture becomes happier and more productive to boot.

Have you ever managed anyone? If so, what programs or opportunities did you present in order for them to want to work with you? Let us know by commenting your thoughts below!

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