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Making Sense(s) of the Workplace: Smell
Author:
15
November 2023
4
min read
The smell of freshly baked bread. Cut grass. Suncream. Fresh lavender. A log-burning stove. The seaside. Indeed, your sense of smell is so powerful – we bet you can conjure up the scents of all these things – and it forms a huge part of the world we perceive. But in office design, it’s often overlooked.
Did you know, studies show our sense of smell is responsible for up to 75% of our daily emotions? Being such a significant emotional factor, it’s high time we embrace scents when designing workplace experiences. So, let’s jump in and learn how.
How powerful is smell?
Very! Have you ever smelled an aroma and been instantly transported back to a childhood memory? The nostalgia that overcomes you demonstrates just how powerful your sense of smell is. A study showed that we remember 35% of what we smell. Yet we remember only 1% of what we touch, 2% of what we hear, 5% of what we see, and 15% of what we taste.
Scented environments have been proven to:
- Reduce typos made by office workers
- Improve the perception of product quality
- Increase purchase intent, average sales unit and duration of retail visitors
- Boost how much consumers are willing to pay for a product
The science behind scent
Scientists agree that smell and memory have a special relationship. Smell receptors in our noses communicate with the parts of our brains that serve as storehouses for emotions and memories, meaning we associate certain memories and emotions with particular smells. Applying this thinking to workplace scents can help enhance everything from mental well-being to physical alertness.
Japanese fragrance company Takasago proved that certain scents positively impacted on office workers’ typing.
Smell is subjective
Many of us like the smell of freshly cut grass, but plenty of us don’t. For some, it’s a reminder of hot summer days, and for others, hayfever and feeling unwell. We don’t all like the same scents, and different odours can mean different things to different people. Strong associations based on memory and experience sometimes cause a ‘love it or hate it’ vibe. So, how do you pick the right scent for your workplace?
Cultural preferences
Being aware of cultural preferences is key to getting it right, especially in multicultural workplace landscapes. For instance, in the Middle East, people are more fond of heavy, spicy notes. In the Western world, people tend to prefer citric and high notes.
Having said that, there are worldwide generalisations we can make when designing for shared environments – and influencing emotions and behaviour.
Olfactive marketing
Could your brand benefit from a scent? Sometimes wrongly assumed to be the domain of food and drink retailers, olfactive marketing can be integral to a brand’s success – both externally with customers and internally with employee culture.
Step inside a high-end hotel, and the lobby will instantly enclose you with a signature scent. Retail brands such as Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch and Apple have an unmistakable fragrance that is part of their brand and their DNA. Even airlines, such as Singapore Airlines, use a bespoke scent – Stefan Floridian Waters – for flight attendants’ perfume and to launder in-flight towels. All this adds to the ‘experience’, which is often what employees search for nowadays. A workplace is not just an ‘office’; it’s part of their lifestyle.
The ultimate scent experience
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group use scents of warm sandalwood, floral jasmine and frangipani. Guests can take candles home with them to take their experience beyond just their stay. Can workplaces learn from this practice?
The psychology of popcorn
A strong scent can drive positive behaviour. Let’s take the cinema. The smell of freshly popped popcorn is often too good to resist. From feeling peckish to happy memories of beloved films, most cinemagoers decide on their tasty snacks before they buy their tickets.
Scent association is essential for uplifting and motivating employees in the workplace. Instil a positive and cohesive environment with a scent employees appreciate.
Powerful intentions
Wanting to make a difference and take action is a sign of a great employee. But how can you nurture feelings of positive ‘intent’? One study showed scent marketing increased Nike customers’ intent to purchase by up to 84%. While this proves retail consumer behaviour, could the same apply to employees in your workplace?
Four key ways to use scent in your workplace
While retail, travel, hospitality and the food & drink industry often embrace the power of scent, so many workplaces – in the corporate world – are missing out. So, what practical way can you use scent in your workplace?
- Simple tweaks
A nice-smelling diffuser in an office lobby area can make a huge difference. Or a selected handwash in the employee washrooms. Or even the cleaning products used. Everyday items have scents, so be more intentional about your choices.
- Custom scents
You can go to perfumeries and create a custom-made scent for your brand. This will allow you to select combinations that align with the feelings, emotions and behaviours you want to achieve.
- Natural smells
Using plants, you can add a subtle note of smell – without the sometimes overpowering element of artificial scents.
Biophilic design in offices also helps cleanse the air and increase oxygen. What’s more, greenery is proven to improve employee mood. With multiple benefits additional to scent, what’s not to love about adding greenery to your workplace?
- Careful positioning
Think about where you place certain scents. Not all scents will work in all places. For instance, you’d rarely want the same scent in your eating area as in your office reception. Strong scents can interfere with our sense of taste, and associations can also get confused.
Define your office zones and choose scents based on that. A citrus smell could work well in high-energy zones as it heightens our senses and stimulates us. However, if you want a more calming, low-vibe area, use scents that reduce tension and calm the nervous system – like lavender.
Carefully consider your signature scent on arrival into your lobby or reception area. For many organisations, this is your first impression of employees and clients. Above all, this scent has to be welcoming. Remember how hotels use scents and use this methodology to pick the right one for your workplace. Ask yourself how this scent would make someone feel. What message does it give off? Is this scent memorable?
Nothing is more memorable than smell
Using scent to positively influence behaviour is nothing new. Big brands in retail, hospitality and more have been doing it for years to curate experiences that customers don’t forget – for all the right reasons. Leveraging this sense and applying it to your own workplace environment can see employers do everything from improving flagging energy levels to reducing stress and anxiety. Now you can’t turn your nose up at that!
Our top sense of smell considerations
Sourcing a new solution
Our team is always happy to discuss how we can help enhance your sensory workplace environment. You can get in touch with us here.
Keep reading the Making Sense(s) of the Workplace series.
Download for free now
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Making Sense(s) of the Workplace: Smell
Author:
15
November 2023
4
min read
The smell of freshly baked bread. Cut grass. Suncream. Fresh lavender. A log-burning stove. The seaside. Indeed, your sense of smell is so powerful – we bet you can conjure up the scents of all these things – and it forms a huge part of the world we perceive. But in office design, it’s often overlooked.
Did you know, studies show our sense of smell is responsible for up to 75% of our daily emotions? Being such a significant emotional factor, it’s high time we embrace scents when designing workplace experiences. So, let’s jump in and learn how.
How powerful is smell?
Very! Have you ever smelled an aroma and been instantly transported back to a childhood memory? The nostalgia that overcomes you demonstrates just how powerful your sense of smell is. A study showed that we remember 35% of what we smell. Yet we remember only 1% of what we touch, 2% of what we hear, 5% of what we see, and 15% of what we taste.
Scented environments have been proven to:
- Reduce typos made by office workers
- Improve the perception of product quality
- Increase purchase intent, average sales unit and duration of retail visitors
- Boost how much consumers are willing to pay for a product
The science behind scent
Scientists agree that smell and memory have a special relationship. Smell receptors in our noses communicate with the parts of our brains that serve as storehouses for emotions and memories, meaning we associate certain memories and emotions with particular smells. Applying this thinking to workplace scents can help enhance everything from mental well-being to physical alertness.
Japanese fragrance company Takasago proved that certain scents positively impacted on office workers’ typing.
Smell is subjective
Many of us like the smell of freshly cut grass, but plenty of us don’t. For some, it’s a reminder of hot summer days, and for others, hayfever and feeling unwell. We don’t all like the same scents, and different odours can mean different things to different people. Strong associations based on memory and experience sometimes cause a ‘love it or hate it’ vibe. So, how do you pick the right scent for your workplace?
Cultural preferences
Being aware of cultural preferences is key to getting it right, especially in multicultural workplace landscapes. For instance, in the Middle East, people are more fond of heavy, spicy notes. In the Western world, people tend to prefer citric and high notes.
Having said that, there are worldwide generalisations we can make when designing for shared environments – and influencing emotions and behaviour.
Olfactive marketing
Could your brand benefit from a scent? Sometimes wrongly assumed to be the domain of food and drink retailers, olfactive marketing can be integral to a brand’s success – both externally with customers and internally with employee culture.
Step inside a high-end hotel, and the lobby will instantly enclose you with a signature scent. Retail brands such as Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch and Apple have an unmistakable fragrance that is part of their brand and their DNA. Even airlines, such as Singapore Airlines, use a bespoke scent – Stefan Floridian Waters – for flight attendants’ perfume and to launder in-flight towels. All this adds to the ‘experience’, which is often what employees search for nowadays. A workplace is not just an ‘office’; it’s part of their lifestyle.
The ultimate scent experience
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group use scents of warm sandalwood, floral jasmine and frangipani. Guests can take candles home with them to take their experience beyond just their stay. Can workplaces learn from this practice?
The psychology of popcorn
A strong scent can drive positive behaviour. Let’s take the cinema. The smell of freshly popped popcorn is often too good to resist. From feeling peckish to happy memories of beloved films, most cinemagoers decide on their tasty snacks before they buy their tickets.
Scent association is essential for uplifting and motivating employees in the workplace. Instil a positive and cohesive environment with a scent employees appreciate.
Powerful intentions
Wanting to make a difference and take action is a sign of a great employee. But how can you nurture feelings of positive ‘intent’? One study showed scent marketing increased Nike customers’ intent to purchase by up to 84%. While this proves retail consumer behaviour, could the same apply to employees in your workplace?
Four key ways to use scent in your workplace
While retail, travel, hospitality and the food & drink industry often embrace the power of scent, so many workplaces – in the corporate world – are missing out. So, what practical way can you use scent in your workplace?
- Simple tweaks
A nice-smelling diffuser in an office lobby area can make a huge difference. Or a selected handwash in the employee washrooms. Or even the cleaning products used. Everyday items have scents, so be more intentional about your choices.
- Custom scents
You can go to perfumeries and create a custom-made scent for your brand. This will allow you to select combinations that align with the feelings, emotions and behaviours you want to achieve.
- Natural smells
Using plants, you can add a subtle note of smell – without the sometimes overpowering element of artificial scents.
Biophilic design in offices also helps cleanse the air and increase oxygen. What’s more, greenery is proven to improve employee mood. With multiple benefits additional to scent, what’s not to love about adding greenery to your workplace?
- Careful positioning
Think about where you place certain scents. Not all scents will work in all places. For instance, you’d rarely want the same scent in your eating area as in your office reception. Strong scents can interfere with our sense of taste, and associations can also get confused.
Define your office zones and choose scents based on that. A citrus smell could work well in high-energy zones as it heightens our senses and stimulates us. However, if you want a more calming, low-vibe area, use scents that reduce tension and calm the nervous system – like lavender.
Carefully consider your signature scent on arrival into your lobby or reception area. For many organisations, this is your first impression of employees and clients. Above all, this scent has to be welcoming. Remember how hotels use scents and use this methodology to pick the right one for your workplace. Ask yourself how this scent would make someone feel. What message does it give off? Is this scent memorable?
Nothing is more memorable than smell
Using scent to positively influence behaviour is nothing new. Big brands in retail, hospitality and more have been doing it for years to curate experiences that customers don’t forget – for all the right reasons. Leveraging this sense and applying it to your own workplace environment can see employers do everything from improving flagging energy levels to reducing stress and anxiety. Now you can’t turn your nose up at that!
Our top sense of smell considerations
Sourcing a new solution
Our team is always happy to discuss how we can help enhance your sensory workplace environment. You can get in touch with us here.
Keep reading the Making Sense(s) of the Workplace series.
The smell of freshly baked bread. Cut grass. Suncream. Fresh lavender. A log-burning stove. The seaside. Indeed, your sense of smell is so powerful – we bet you can conjure up the scents of all these things – and it forms a huge part of the world we perceive. But in office design, it’s often overlooked.
Did you know, studies show our sense of smell is responsible for up to 75% of our daily emotions? Being such a significant emotional factor, it’s high time we embrace scents when designing workplace experiences. So, let’s jump in and learn how.
How powerful is smell?
Very! Have you ever smelled an aroma and been instantly transported back to a childhood memory? The nostalgia that overcomes you demonstrates just how powerful your sense of smell is. A study showed that we remember 35% of what we smell. Yet we remember only 1% of what we touch, 2% of what we hear, 5% of what we see, and 15% of what we taste.
Scented environments have been proven to:
- Reduce typos made by office workers
- Improve the perception of product quality
- Increase purchase intent, average sales unit and duration of retail visitors
- Boost how much consumers are willing to pay for a product
The science behind scent
Scientists agree that smell and memory have a special relationship. Smell receptors in our noses communicate with the parts of our brains that serve as storehouses for emotions and memories, meaning we associate certain memories and emotions with particular smells. Applying this thinking to workplace scents can help enhance everything from mental well-being to physical alertness.
Japanese fragrance company Takasago proved that certain scents positively impacted on office workers’ typing.
Smell is subjective
Many of us like the smell of freshly cut grass, but plenty of us don’t. For some, it’s a reminder of hot summer days, and for others, hayfever and feeling unwell. We don’t all like the same scents, and different odours can mean different things to different people. Strong associations based on memory and experience sometimes cause a ‘love it or hate it’ vibe. So, how do you pick the right scent for your workplace?
Cultural preferences
Being aware of cultural preferences is key to getting it right, especially in multicultural workplace landscapes. For instance, in the Middle East, people are more fond of heavy, spicy notes. In the Western world, people tend to prefer citric and high notes.
Having said that, there are worldwide generalisations we can make when designing for shared environments – and influencing emotions and behaviour.
Olfactive marketing
Could your brand benefit from a scent? Sometimes wrongly assumed to be the domain of food and drink retailers, olfactive marketing can be integral to a brand’s success – both externally with customers and internally with employee culture.
Step inside a high-end hotel, and the lobby will instantly enclose you with a signature scent. Retail brands such as Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch and Apple have an unmistakable fragrance that is part of their brand and their DNA. Even airlines, such as Singapore Airlines, use a bespoke scent – Stefan Floridian Waters – for flight attendants’ perfume and to launder in-flight towels. All this adds to the ‘experience’, which is often what employees search for nowadays. A workplace is not just an ‘office’; it’s part of their lifestyle.
The ultimate scent experience
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group use scents of warm sandalwood, floral jasmine and frangipani. Guests can take candles home with them to take their experience beyond just their stay. Can workplaces learn from this practice?
The psychology of popcorn
A strong scent can drive positive behaviour. Let’s take the cinema. The smell of freshly popped popcorn is often too good to resist. From feeling peckish to happy memories of beloved films, most cinemagoers decide on their tasty snacks before they buy their tickets.
Scent association is essential for uplifting and motivating employees in the workplace. Instil a positive and cohesive environment with a scent employees appreciate.
Powerful intentions
Wanting to make a difference and take action is a sign of a great employee. But how can you nurture feelings of positive ‘intent’? One study showed scent marketing increased Nike customers’ intent to purchase by up to 84%. While this proves retail consumer behaviour, could the same apply to employees in your workplace?
Four key ways to use scent in your workplace
While retail, travel, hospitality and the food & drink industry often embrace the power of scent, so many workplaces – in the corporate world – are missing out. So, what practical way can you use scent in your workplace?
- Simple tweaks
A nice-smelling diffuser in an office lobby area can make a huge difference. Or a selected handwash in the employee washrooms. Or even the cleaning products used. Everyday items have scents, so be more intentional about your choices.
- Custom scents
You can go to perfumeries and create a custom-made scent for your brand. This will allow you to select combinations that align with the feelings, emotions and behaviours you want to achieve.
- Natural smells
Using plants, you can add a subtle note of smell – without the sometimes overpowering element of artificial scents.
Biophilic design in offices also helps cleanse the air and increase oxygen. What’s more, greenery is proven to improve employee mood. With multiple benefits additional to scent, what’s not to love about adding greenery to your workplace?
- Careful positioning
Think about where you place certain scents. Not all scents will work in all places. For instance, you’d rarely want the same scent in your eating area as in your office reception. Strong scents can interfere with our sense of taste, and associations can also get confused.
Define your office zones and choose scents based on that. A citrus smell could work well in high-energy zones as it heightens our senses and stimulates us. However, if you want a more calming, low-vibe area, use scents that reduce tension and calm the nervous system – like lavender.
Carefully consider your signature scent on arrival into your lobby or reception area. For many organisations, this is your first impression of employees and clients. Above all, this scent has to be welcoming. Remember how hotels use scents and use this methodology to pick the right one for your workplace. Ask yourself how this scent would make someone feel. What message does it give off? Is this scent memorable?
Nothing is more memorable than smell
Using scent to positively influence behaviour is nothing new. Big brands in retail, hospitality and more have been doing it for years to curate experiences that customers don’t forget – for all the right reasons. Leveraging this sense and applying it to your own workplace environment can see employers do everything from improving flagging energy levels to reducing stress and anxiety. Now you can’t turn your nose up at that!
Our top sense of smell considerations
Sourcing a new solution
Our team is always happy to discuss how we can help enhance your sensory workplace environment. You can get in touch with us here.
Keep reading the Making Sense(s) of the Workplace series.
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