Five things we all need to succeed at work (and not one is a Foosball table, beer-cart Fridays or an open office environment): 1. The tools to get the job done 2. Clear expectations and goals 3. Regular constructive feedback (as in weekly or even daily; not once a year) 4. A sense of purpose and meaning (with the knowledge of how the work impacts company goals) 5. A well-trained manager who has hands-on experience in the work her team does #5 is essential to deliver #1 through #4. To maximize retention and productivity, this is where companies need to invest resources. Nice office spaces and perks are fine, but they are a poor substitute for actually investing in each employee's success. …see more