Mixing work and recreation
THE headquarters of the Continental Veterinary Distributors, a major livestock medicines and equipment supplying company, can easily be mistaken for a recreational park.
Located on Brooks Avenue in Hillside, Harare, the company’s premises are well-manicured. They have lush green lawns, flowers, plants and bushes, among other types of flora.
The front part has been turned into an attractive garden, complete with rockeries, beautiful water fountains and chairs.
Upon entering the premises, one is greeted by a big rockery that is adorned with flowers, aloes, ferns and climbers.
Among the several types of beautiful flowers available is the red rose, which is synonymous with love.
In the other section of the garden are fruit trees and well-looked-after palm trees.
Occasionally, the workers congregate in the garden to discuss important business matters.
When The Sunday Mail Society crew arrived at the offices, Mr Ronald Murowe, the company’s youthful managing director, was seated in the majestic garden, discussing business with clients.
Mr Murowe chronicled how the concept of greening the company premises started.
“I am an avid reader. One day, I came across an interesting article in the ‘Harvard Business Review’. In the article, executives from international conglomerates Google and Microsoft explained in detail the efforts the companies are making to green their workspaces and coming up with relaxed
working environments,” Mr Murowe said.
After reading the article, Mr Murowe decided to follow suit.
He hired a full-time landscaper, whose task was to turn the then neglected premises into a beautiful garden.
Mr Murowe talked about the benefits the firm is getting from the greening efforts.
“It took us two years of hard work to come up with this beautiful place. For our workers, this garden is their most preferred place. During lunch and tea breaks, they come here to unwind, relax and enjoy their meals,” Mr Murowe said.
For Mr Murowe, the company’s greening efforts are paying off.
Working from the garden, he noted, creates team spirit and unity among the workers.
“I discovered that whenever we have meetings in the garden, the workers will be more relaxed and engaging. This place is good for our business as it inspires creativity,” said Mr Murowe.
He further said relaxed working environments have positive contributions to the mental health of workers.
“I have been observing our workers. If a worker is under some form of stress, that worker usually goes to the garden and either takes a smoke break or just sits there and enjoy the fresh air.”
Mr Takunda Murwira, who works in the company’s sales and marketing division, said working from the garden inspires him.
“I prefer to work from the garden. Unlike staring at a laptop in a crammed office, the garden area makes me relax and this helps me come up with excellent business ideas,” Mr Murwira said.
Mr Kindness Chikukwa, the landscaper, said transforming the premises into the beautiful place it is today was not an easy task.
“I started from scratch, collecting the plants, stones and logs from different places. I am happy to say my efforts were, however, not in vain,” Mr Chikukwa said.
He said apart from inspiring the employees to work hard, the well-maintained garden also helps keep snakes and rodents away from the offices.
The beautification of the place has, however, brought with it some unwanted attention.
“We are having a tough time with people who are coming to the road verge for photo shoots. Models, car sales executives and our neighbours occasionally come here to have photographs taken,” he said.
Ms Getrude Chiwisa — the company’s safety, health, environment and quality officer — said the firm is committed to the welfare of its workers and greening is another way of contributing towards the mental health of the staff.
“For workers to perform to the best of their abilities, they must be in the right state of mind. The garden provides clean and fresh air, and also acts as a wind shield. I urge all companies to green and re-green their workstations,” Ms Chiwisa said.