A lot of things have changed in the world of business over the last few years, from the move to online business to the dramatic shift in marketing techniques. But there is one thing that has stayed constant through just about every other change: the office. No matter how many different ways a business transforms, the office has always stayed at the very heart of it. And there’s a very good reason for that. It’s the place where you and your employees come together to actually make everything work. All of the planning, the organization, the ambition, it all comes together in the office as you turn it into something solid and tangible. At least, that’s how things should be going. The problem is that there are a lot of businesses that neglect their office, assuming that it will take care of itself. Far too many business owners think that because so much of their business has shifted online that their office is less important than it used to be. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Your office is just as important as it has always been and here are a few things that you can do to get the most out of it.
Think about space
The kind of business that you run is always going to dictate exactly what kind of office space you’re going to use, but there are certain things that everyone should consider when trying to get the most out of your office. The first thing that you should think about is how you want your employees to be arranged. It’s incredibly common and fashionable at the moment to make every office open-plan, but that’s not always the ideal solution. That’s not to say that open-plan offices aren’t incredibly useful for certain businesses. They offer a great opportunity for employees to interact and communicate, as well making the office feel brighter and more spacious. But they can also have drawbacks. A lot of people simply work better in a quieter, more secluded environment and a completely open-plan office can often become a little bit overwhelming if not kept in check. It’s important to work the office around the needs to your staff and be willing to make adjustments if necessary.
Keep it organized
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There’s a common saying that goes “a tidy house leads to a tidy mind.” Well, that saying applies just as well to your office. Just like the use of space, the organization of your office can have a big impact on the psychology of your staff. It’s far harder to concentrate on what you’re doing when you’re surrounded by piles of junk. Not to mention how difficult it is to find anything. A disorganized office also presents a health and safety issue. The last thing you want is one of your employees tripping and falling over trailing wires. Not only can that lead to an injury but you could end up being liable for it for not following the correct procedures. So make sure that your employees are keeping their spaces clean as well as ensuring that the office as a whole is kept as clean as possible. While personal tidiness may be a task that falls on your employees, things like hiring cleaning staff and rubbish removal are your responsibility.
Let there be light
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This might seem like a pretty small thing to focus on, but it’s incredible how much of a difference light can make to an office environment. Poor lighting can cause some genuine problems for your employees. It can leave them feeling tired, lacking in motivation, and even cause headaches. Of course that doesn’t just mean that your office should be as bright as possible. Making the lights too aggressive can lead to a lot of the same problems. The key is to make sure that you’re striking a good balance so that everyone is as comfortable as possible.
As with just about everything else in your business, your office has to work around the people in it. Make sure to speak to your employees before making any decisions about the office. Don’t just assume that you know best, make sure to only make changes that are going to be positive for everyone in your business. If you do that, you’ll find that your office can become even more of a useful asset than it already it.
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