A few months ago, we highlighted many reasons why happy employees are productive employees. A few of our favorite ways to make employees happy, and thus more productive, were to recognize success, set goals, provide career growth opportunities, offer flexible work hours, provide quality office supplies and go on team field trips.

Because we want to do our part to make sure everyone on your business team is happy, productive and successful, here are a few more ways to keep your employees happy.

1. Offer collaboration spaces
When members of your team want to work together on a project, give them a place to come together and get creative. Huddling in one person’s cubicle isn’t the best option. A collaboration space anywhere in your office, such as a meeting room, a round table or even an office corner filled with beanbag chairs, can help encourage communication and collaboration to keep your team excited and moving forward.

2. Create a regular ritual
Whether it is a Friday afternoon BBQ or a monthly happy hour, creating a ritual for your team gives them something to look forward to. This excitement and creating relationships with team members outside of the office walls can have a stronger impact on team building than trust falls.

3. Have a virtual work day
Some people can work better and be more productive from home. If you offer work flexibility and allow team members the option of working from home one day a week, they’ll find they are happier and more productive at home. It doesn’t work for everyone, however, so make sure your company’s Virtual Work Day isn’t mandatory.

4. Give them ownership of a project
Most employees want to know their ideas and their skills are recognized. By giving them ownership of a project and having them work on it and push it through to completion, you are giving them that recognition they want, and allowing them to showcase their talents even more. This extra boost in respect and encouragement can keep them happier and working hard to make you proud.

5. Give them more vacation time
I know it may seem counterproductive to offer more time off to increase productivity, but that is exactly what more vacation time can bring. When employees are getting ready for a vacation, they work extra hard to get all their work done before they leave, and this can drive greater results from your team.

It’s no secret that happy employees are productive employees. The trick to to keeping your team members as happy as possible the majority of the time, and encouraging their productivity to benefit your business.