Most of your day in spent in the same place: your office. Translate that to the bigger picture and you’ll spend most of your year in the same office. Over the course of your lifetime, you’ll spend years in an office environment. It goes without saying that the space should be comfortable. The environment around you plays a big part in informing your mood, productivity and personality.
A grey office with harsh strip lighting can actually be very detrimental to your productivity. When you have scores of employees all in the same environment, profits can drop. Passion drains and motivation disappears.
The key to getting the best from your workers is providing an environment where they can thrive. This all starts with comfort in the office. Your employees should love coming into work every day.
It is proven that offices can be designed in a way that brings out the best in people. There should be a good mix of open space to encourage collaboration. Yet at the same time, some people need quiet areas to get on with work too. The office should be tidy, comfortable and inspire motivation.
It isn’t just your employees that you should consider. You must also consider the clients and investors that visit your office. Making them feel warm and at home will go along way to getting the answer you want.
A tidy office is a productive office. When an office environment is cluttered, it can be very difficult to concentrate. A clear office leads to a clear mind. Do everything you can to keep clutter to a minimum. It can be very difficult with lots of people, but it will make a big difference. It also increases efficiency. When employees know exactly where everything lives, they can do their job faster. Instant access to files, documents and equipment is imperative to running a tight ship. Again, think of clients and investors. A tidy office says a lot about the efficiency and care of the business in general.
Comfort is key. Make sure that each of your employees has a comfortable office chair. Spending eight hours a day sitting in front of a computer can wreak havoc on people’s health. It can lead to back pains and general discomfort. Your workers should reach the office and work in comfort. This should also extend beyond their desks. It helps to provide comfortable break areas and kitchen facilities. Taking breaks is a vital part of a productive day, make sure that your workers can do this in comfort. Comfy break areas can also spark relationships and ideas. It breeds co-operation and collaboration.
Impress clients with a welcoming environment. We’ve touched upon this already but its importance cannot be overstated. First impressions are a huge part of deciding who clients will do business with. A dark, messy office instantly gives off a bad impression. If employees are unhappy and slouched over desks, clients or investors will pick up on this. A warm office environment creates a welcoming atmosphere to any visitors. You should have examples of your work and services around the building too. Place talking points throughout the office. When it comes to showing clients around, it will spark conversation about success stories.
Let everyone have a say on the decoration. Remember, it’s their office too. A company like Saracen can help you out here. Redecorating is a simple and effective way of keeping employees happy. A lick of paint can make all the difference. Let your workers be part of the process. They can help decide colour schemes or suggest new features. Give them the opportunity to tell you what they’d like to see in the office. Allow them to bring personal items from home. It’s all about making them feel as comfortable as possible at work.
Engage technology. Keep your office updated with the latest technology. Of course, make sure it has a practical function. Something as simple as an office iPad or specialist computers can really spark interest in the office. It brings something new and exciting into the repetitive office days. It will give employees new ways to tackle problems and alternative solutions. It will help them think creatively and approach things in a new way. Think about how you can bring new technology into the office.
Embrace open space AND quiet areas. Most offices these days are fostering an open community. Based on research in all kinds of environments, businesses are opening out their office spaces. It helps encourage collaboration and the sharing of ideas. It can lead to new concepts and ideas that will help the business. However, not everyone is wired to work best in this environment. Some need a quiet space to get their head down and work. Make sure you account for this too. Catering for both will help you get the best out of all of your workers. Some work better in groups, others on their own.
Foster a community of friendship in the office. In the workplace there can often be an air of competition and rivalry. That’s healthy, to an extent. However, if this goes too far, it can breed isolation and self interest. A much better environment is that of open communication. Something as simple as a pool table or table football can really bring people together. It gets them talking about something other than work. It helps them get comfortable in each other’s presence. They’ll grow closer and develop ideas together. They’ll be more comfortable going to each other with questions and advice. A workforce that talks to each other is a powerful thing.
So, where to start? You don’t need to make big changes right away. A simple change to the lighting is the best place to start. Rather than harsh lighting, opt for natural light and warmth. Slowly bring in comfortable furniture and decorate the walls.
You’ll start to notice the difference in no time. Your employees will be happier, they’ll work harder and start communicating. Trust us, the right environment will do wonders for your business.
