What makes a good and, above all, attractive office? Fast Wi-Fi, clear processes, a good coffee machine—of course. But let's be honest: that alone is not enough. It's the little things that make the difference. The cherished quirks, the clever solutions to everyday problems, the idiosyncrasies that you laugh at at first—and then adopt.
Over time, a few rather special things have become established at our company. Some of them may seem... curious to outsiders at first. But in everyday life, they prove to be surprisingly practical, clever – or simply typical elio.
Here are eight things that are completely normal in our everyday office life, but might raise questions elsewhere.
1. Love for plants with an expiration date
When you walk into an elio office, you're often greeted by a touch of urban jungle – at least for a few weeks. Our plants improve the indoor climate and create a positive atmosphere. However, some of them don't make it through the next project, especially at our Würzburg office. Because sometimes, daily business wins out over the watering can.
But hey: they give it their all—and we learn a little something new every time (for example, that cacti are really hardy roommates).
2. The personal pawn department
Art is known to be subjective. That's probably what one of our trainees thought when he created a small work of art in his rolling container over time. Neatly stacked bottles, sorted almost in Tetris style.
Whether this improves the feng shui of the room or is simply a loving ritual – no one knows for sure. But one thing is clear: this private deposit station has long been an integral part of our office inventory.
3. Welcome to the developer's den
While light, air, and noise reign supreme among our marketing colleagues, as if at a medium-sized festival, the opposite is true on the other side of the office: dimmed lighting, hardly any noise, just typing. Our developers love their dark zone—not because they are camera-shy, but because it helps them get into the flow.
What looks like a power outage to outsiders is actually the ideal breeding ground for brilliant solutions.
4. Balls on trash cans
Yes, you read that right: our exercise balls are stored on trash cans. Not because we don't have enough space, but because it's practical. The trash cans serve as improvised holders so that the balls don't roll around the office and are always handy when you feel like sitting dynamically again.
Because that's exactly what they're there for: Anyone who isn't glued to a classic office chair or standing at a height-adjustable desk swings themselves onto a gym ball. This not only promotes good posture, but also brings movement into the working day. And let's be honest: bouncing around a little bit just puts you in a good mood. Especially during periods of concentration, that little bit of dynamism is worth its weight in gold – and often boosts creativity more than you might think.
5. Duct tape regulates
It's probably the most universal tool in our office: duct tape. Whether it's for spontaneously fixing a string of Christmas lights, laying cables during event setup, or prototypes from the internal hackathon – duct tape is quick to hand, flexible in use, and has saved many a project from chaos.
You could say it's our unofficial MVP for all occasions.
6. Wall decorations that put you in a good mood
And speaking of sticking things up: from homemade “shrines” with the most creative advertising ideas to pictures of sunrises that bring a little vitamin D to your face even when the weather is bad – what hangs on our walls is as individual as our colleagues.
Whether spontaneously printed or lovingly designed, the main thing is that it feels good. Because feel-good moments cannot be standardized—but pinning them to the wall can.
7. The secret candy cabinet
Officially, everyone knows it – unofficially, it's always empty. Sometimes, only sugar will do. And that's where it comes in: our infamous candy cabinet. A kind of open secret that is whispered about throughout the office. No one wants to admit to it, but suddenly the bag of gummy bears is gone again. And the chocolate? Mysteriously disappeared. Of course, no one touched it. Sure.
But honestly, it's kind of nice that we know exactly where we all have our weaknesses – and that someone always remembers to refill it.
8. Pizza Tuesday
Because some traditions are simply sacred. Once a week, our office smells suspiciously of dough, melted cheese, and... heated discussions: Hawaiian pizza—yes or no? Tuesday is our culinary ritual. We order together, laugh together, and discuss together why pineapple on pizza is somehow okay after all. Or maybe not.
In the end, though, it's less about the pizza and more about sitting together. It's about clearing our heads for a moment and recharging our batteries as a team.
And what does all this add up to?
What may seem unusual at first glance often has a very practical reason behind it – and sometimes even its own unique charm. Because everyday office life at elio doesn't mean stubbornly working “9 to 5” at your desk. Instead, it means designing spaces where people enjoy working. Where improvisation is allowed, humor is not neglected, and even trainees are allowed to set up their own “deposit department.”
We believe that people who work with joy and creativity also need an environment that is not off the shelf. Our little office peculiarities are not an end in themselves – they are an expression of our culture. And a little bouncing on a ball has never hurt anyone.
225 years of elio – a special milestone!
This article is part of our anniversary series, in which we take you behind the scenes at elio. Look forward to personal insights, stories from the team, and what has been driving us for a quarter of a century.
