This post is provided by Jason Dirkham
Your office is an incredibly important space in your business. A good office can mean more productive employees, better workplace morale, it might even lead to more clients if they come in and are impressed with what they see. But what can you do to improve the space? Here are some ideas.
Find the right location
The location you choose for your office is incredibly important. It needs to be accessible and easy to get to; somewhere way out in the sticks might cost you less money but it’s going to make life difficult for your employees each day. Consider the road network and any public transport routes. Something as simple as a bus stop shelter outside can make getting to and from the workplace a lot more pleasant for your valued employees. The location is important depending on the type of business you run too. Shops or retail companies for example will rely heavily on foot traffic as a way to get customers, so you’ll need to be in a prime location for this. If you don’t rely on footfall to generate customers for your business then you could choose a less expensive location which is further out.
Think about the size
A bigger office will always be more expensive, so it doesn’t make sense to build an enormous structure if you don’t have to. However, you will want to think about whether your business will grow over the years and so more space might be needed, compared with what you need right now. You could either build it larger than you need, or leave space to extend upwards or outwards in a few years if you need to.
Make nice decor a priority
You’ll always want to keep your office decor professional looking, but it should still be pleasant. Repaint the walls, have new carpets fitted, add lots of plants and custom signage to bring personality to the space. The colours blue and green have been shown to boost productivity in the workplace so this is something you could look to incorporate. Invest in nice furniture which will not only be comfortable but will also look nice too.
Think about the layout
The layout of your office space can be vital for the best productivity levels. Put desks close to windows so workers can benefit from the natural light. Make sure you have collaborative areas for group projects, as well as quieter areas for solo work, small meetings or phone calls. Ensure everyone can move around easily without it feeling cramped and uncomfortable. Measure furniture carefully before you buy, and play around with a 3d room planner so you can check that everything fits the way you want it to. Offices like Google, Spotify and other huge companies of the world have worked out the benefits of collaborative working areas, it’s something you could implement in your own office to boost productivity and workflow. You can then have some more enclosed areas and desks for one on one meetings, phone calls and other types of work. With any kind of layout, you’ll want to make sure everyone can move around easily without it feeling cramped and uncomfortable. Collaborative areas will often involve people moving around more so bear this in mind when you’re planning your office.
Make it more eco friendly
There’s no denying the kind of damage we’ve caused to the earth, but in more recent years we’ve become more aware of how we can prevent or slow down these issues. Most of us make a conscious effort to recycle at home these days, and it’s something we should be doing in the workplace too. Recycling needs to be done properly since even a small amount of unrecyclable material can contaminate the entire bin and mean it ends up in landfill anyway. Making changes like buying refillable pens and printer cartridges can save massively on plastic and prevent the plastic epidemic from getting worse. Choosing suppliers that use eco-friendly and sustainably sourced materials is another smart direction you can take your company in; by purchasing from sustainable, eco friendly or fairtrade suppliers you create more of a demand for these kinds of businesses which can push things forward when it comes to looking after the earth. We live in a digital age but still use far too much paper, so aim to go paper free.
Make it accessible
You have a moral and legal duty to ensure that your workplace is accessible, you need to ensure you’re meeting all requirements of the disability act to make sure anyone with additional needs are able to access your office. If you’re in an older building they won’t have necessarily been built with these things as standard, so it’s up to you to make sure your premises is suitable.
Consider security
Offices tend to be full of high-value equipment as well as cash and customer data which can be used in crime or sold on to other criminals. Since they’re usually empty after 6 pm they can make targets for burglary. So when you’re building your office, think about security. Have good quality windows and doors installed, as well as shutters or lockable window grilles if needed. Have CCTV and a burglar alarm fitted, and even consider your roof to prevent criminals entering this way. Another kind of security you’ll need to consider is keeping it safe from natural disasters, fire and floods. Look into retrofitting services for earthquake resistant buildings if you’re in an affected area, and always have the right insurance. It’s a health and safety priority to ensure you have things like fire doors, extinguishers and sprinklers in place too.
Add social areas for breaks
Finally, work might not be about socializing but your employees need breaks. They need a space where they can sit comfortably, perhaps chat with other workers, eat their lunch and drink coffee before work. Social areas allow them to do this without the need to leave the premises which can be inconvenient for them. You could kit a room out with a kitchenette, some comfy seating, a vending machine, a coffee machine and even a pool table. Getting workers speaking is good for morale and will make them happier and more productive after a relaxed break.
This post is provided by Jason Dirkham
