Improve Your Office!

Improve Your Office’s Work Environment

If employees work in a dreary office setting they likely won’t feel motivated or confident.  That’s why creating a productive work environment is critical to the overall success of any company.

Hire great team members

Smart businesses know that a good work environment starts with hiring the right people. Make sure employees are professional and team players. The same idea translates to those who are already in the office. When employees work with toxic workers, they are more likely to become toxic themselves.  It is amazing how one bad attitude affect everyone’s daily performance.

Improve the lighting

Lighting plays a vital role in workers’ performance and attitude.  Exposure to natural light improves mood and energy, greatly impacting focus and productivity.  If it’s not possible to incorporate natural lighting through windows, there are other options. Blue-enriched light bulbs may reduce fatigue and increase happiness and work performance. Use this type of lighting in brainstorming rooms. In meeting or break rooms, use warmer tones to promote calmness and relaxation. In conference rooms, use middle tones that welcome workers while keeping them alert.

Make the office comfortable

Working in a clean, attractive office can have tremendous effects on co-workers and manager relationships. Even if the sun can’t shine into your workplace, make an effort to provide a relaxing atmosphere with comfy furniture, working equipment and a few ‘extra-mile’ amenities.  Give your employees the flexibility to choose to work where they’re comfortable, including comfy chairs or a choice of whether to sit or stand at their desks.  When employees choose a space that makes them comfortable give them the freedom to customize their area, as everyone works differently and likes to feel ‘at home’.  A water cooler always goes down well.  A couple of pot plants and a few pictures on the wall are aesthetically pleasing. Trust your employees to manage their own time. Let them feel free to take breaks, play games or just recharge as necessary.

Improve communication

Be aware of how you’re interacting with employees. Team members and upper management should focus on their communication methods and the effects they have on the office environment.  Employees are motivated and feel valued when they’re given positive reinforcement and shown how their work contributes to the success of the business. This means offering employees specific feedback on how their work is feeding into the broader business objectives.  But employees shouldn’t be the only ones being evaluated.  Managers should be open to feedback as well from employees.   Involve your staff in decision-making in an effort to create a better work environment so that they feel valued.   Don’t be afraid to ask employees for their opinion on a new benefit offered, or what they think of a new client project.  While you’re working on communication don’t forget to show gratitude for hard work.  It ignites enthusiasm, increases innovation, builds trust and drives bottom-line results.  Even a simple ‘thank you’ after an employee goes above and beyond on a project, or puts in a series of late nights, goes a long way.

Lastly, if your office is dreary consider approaching Working Space London.  The guys there will source you new, bright office space in a convenient location.  And it may not even be more expensive that you are already paying!