Category Archives: Office Leasing Tips

How to Find the Perfect Office Space for Your Start-Up Business

Finding the perfect office space for your business can be a daunting task as there are many available options. Hopefully, this guide will help you decide on the perfect type of office space for your new company.

Home Office

A home office can be a great place to start on day one. One big benefit is that you don’t have to lay out any money on office space rental, you will likely want to upgrade you home office to ensure you and or your team can be productive. No rent will give you one less thing to worry about and you can see whether your business will take off before you must consider finding yourself an alternative space. For a smaller company, this option will work well, but if you need more space for supplies or deliveries, you may need to rethink.

Shared Office Space

If you like the idea of being able to leave home to go to work or know that you will need to employ staff straight away, a shared office space could be a good option. Either coworking or executive suite office space could fit your needs. It will allow you to rent the amount of space you need and, the chances are that as you expand, you will just be able to rent more space rather than having to change location. Another great advantage of shared office space is that it will give your business a professional image and address from day one. As soon as you open for business, a client could walk through your door, be greeted by the receptionist, and then get shown into a nice meeting room. In industries where the image is important, this could be invaluable to your business. Most shared offices will offer you creature comforts such as vending machines, janitorial and parking.

Consider Storage

You may think that you need more office space than your really do to accommodate storage space. This can be a more expensive way to accomodate storage needs. As a start-up business, it will be important to keep your costs down as much as possible. So, it might be worth considering renting storage space separately rather than having to rent a larger office. It can save a lot of money and provides lots of flexibility. You can always rent more storage space or increase the size of your office as you expand and it could mean that your initial overheads are lower.

Your Own Office Space

If you know that you will need a lot of staff and a large amount of room, you may need to consider a large office from the start. This could be cost-effective if you know you will need the space soon after setting up, as it can save you the cost of relocating later. However, you should factor in the costs associated with renting your own office space. Among those expense is business property insurance. There are quite few companies, like The Hartford Insurance Company, available to arrange business property insurance for you at a cost-effective price that will give you peace of mind.

Next Step

If you are considering either shared office or renting your own office space, make sure to consult with a tenant rep. We have some of the top representatives available to assist you and at no cost to you. Give us a try. Contact us today for a no obligation discussion on how we can make sure you avoid costly mistakes and get the right space at the right cost.

7 Ways Landlords Qualify Commercial Tenants

People who invest in property often turn to rentals for a steady income stream. However, it is often challenging to weed out unfavorable commercial tenants during the screening process. Commercial landlords who lease office space are no exception.

If you are one of them, you must be very particular in ensuring that you are choosing the right tenant. You would not want to end up with a high tenant turnover rate, which can affect your annual profits. But how do you screen potential tenants and make sure they are meeting your qualifications?

Unlike ordinary property rentals, there is so much at stake in commercial leasing and renting. Property owners need to be prudent in giving out information unless you are fairly certain who you are talking to and what they are looking for in a commercial property.

If you are a tenant looking for office space, you need to know what landlords consider when approving new commercial tenants. From a lndlords point of view, here is what they usually do.

Conduct a Prescreening

Often considered a time-consuming process, tenant prescreening can usher in a wealth of benefits in the long run if done right. For one, it is one of the best ways to eliminate prospects that do not meet your set criteria. If you lay down prescreening requirements, you set expectations early on in the process, which means you will only attract high-quality tenants.

You can start by outlining your prescreening conditions in your rental listing. As the first point of contact between you and thousands of other tenants, rental listings generate interest and help ensure that the tenant screening process goes smoothly by weeding out unqualified leads. For example, you include a statement that encapsulates your condition, detailing how much they would pay upfront for the screening process and getting their approval for completing the application form and subjecting them to a background check.

It is also essential to set out a couple of prescreening questions. This can range from who they are and who will guarantee the lease to the nature of their business and who their target customers are.

Verify The Business and Income

Another crucial step in qualifying your tenants is to ensure that they have a healthy business and pay rent months down the road. That is why you need to know what kind of business they have and how well it is earning.

As a landlord, you may require them to submit bank references, personal and corporate financial statements, and a copy of their business plan. Just bear in mind that other documents you can require might depend on the type of business they are running. A corporate entity, for example, might need to provide you with a certificate of incorporation, director names, and many more. On the other hand, a limited liability company might have to give the names of their current members and managers, articles of organization, and certificate of filing, among many others.

Check Their Creditworthiness

Tenants must also establish their creditworthiness. This will ensure that they will pay their rent on time and uphold any lease obligations you both agree upon throughout the lease term. Some of the factors you need to consider when checking their creditworthiness include their financial records, rental history, payment track record, industry assessment, and tenant attitude.

You might need to delve into their income statement, balance sheet, and income tax returns that will give you a solid picture of their financial standing.

Arrange for a Background Check

A background check is a handy tool for checking someone’s character, credibility, or even financial stability. If you want to ensure that the potential tenants of your commercial property are to be trusted, then conducting a background check is only logical.

Some of the information you will uncover in the process include address verification bankruptcies, identity verifications, criminal convictions, credit history, and other significant details that will help you decide whether they are worth leasing your space to. When it comes to checking criminal record history, you must find a reliable company for this kind of background check as it can be very tricky.

Just keep in mind that there are parts of a background investigation where consent is required, so you must include this condition in the prescreening process. Hence, your potential tenants are aware, and it will be easier to ask for their consent when necessary.

Rental History Reference Checks

If the business of a potential tenant is not new, and they are moving from somewhere else, it is only sensible that you will verify their rental history. Ask essential questions like the property’s address that they previously leased, the length of tenancy, the amount of the monthly rental, and their reason for leaving. It is also vital that you find out if they have paid their rent consistently and on time.

Know the Tenants’ Needs

While you have already set out your requirements and expectations, you must also be privy to what the potential tenants need. There is no point in wasting your time on a lead who has no idea about what they need. It can be utility needs, zoning, and other details that will affect the leased space. This will help you avoid complicated situations later on when tenants start negotiating for nonnegotiable items on the lease terms.

Set a Proper Time Frame

You would want to avoid your space being vacant for too long. After all, you are paying for the upkeep of your property. Regular income is needed to maintain the place. To ensure you and the potential tenants are on the same page and pace, you must communicate specific time frames. They should be able to move in quickly once everything is settled. You can always weed out those who are unsure.

Wrapping It Up

The qualification process for commercial tenants is not something that can be rushed. It entails the landlord evaluation a lot of considerations that are important for the property’s safety and long-term benefits. Landlords are looking to ensure that they have quality tenants and mitigate risks. Tenants need to understand the hoops landlords will likely require them to jump through in order to ensure a smooth leasing process.

Having a tenant rep on your side can help the process go as smoothly as possible. If you are looking for office space, we can help with our national network of top tenant reps. Contact us today so we can show you how we can help you find the right office at the best price. No Obligation!

4 Professionals You Need on Your Side When Leasing Office Space

Leasing office space requires a lot of work. It is not easy. There are many things that need to be considered before choosing the best location for your business. Most businesses lease their space and need to deal with a commercial lease. While it is essential to select the best location that will benefit you and your business in the long term, there is a lot more to do than just finding the right space. A good location is an advantage especially in creating a sophisticated brand image for your business. Your business also needs to have a place where both employees and clients are happy.

The process of acquiring an office space can be lengthy. You need to make sure to allow enough time to complete the process. Understanding the leasing process and timing and who are the people that can help you with it is very important for a timely completion to the process. You need to make sure to get the lease agreement negotiated properly to make sure you don’t have unintended consequences pop up in the future. With the right team, you can get a great space at a fair price, with terms that meet your needs and no future suprises. Here is a list of the professionals who can help you when leasing office space.

1. Commercial Real Estate Broker

Yes, we are commercial real estate brokers who specialize in tenant representation. Yes, we are biased by decades of experience. The basics: Commercial real estate is a property that is purposely used only for business or investment purposes. These properties are generally owned by investors who collect the rent from operating businesses in the property. Commercial real estate brokers are people or the middleman between sellers and buyers. They help their clients with selling, leasing, or purchasing commercial real estate.

Not all commercial real estate brokers do the same thing. A commercial real estate tenent rep broker can work independently, unlike commercial real estate listing agents. A tenant rep works solely for you. The listing agent works solely for the landlord. But how can a tenant rep help you with the office space lease? Aside from the fact that they can help you save time, money, and effort, they can also provide numerous advantages. One of the most significant advantages of having a commercial real estate broker is their knowledge of the market, the players and the ability to analyze lease terms.

Acquiring an office space without the help of a tenant rep is like going into court without an attorney. Something you don’t want to do. In addition, not only do tenant reps work soley for the tenant, the tenant does not have to pay them directly. In most cases their fee is paid by the landlord’s listing agent. The commission is already built into the price of the space. If you don’t take advantage of using a tenant rep, the listing agent will not only take advantage of your inexperience, but also pocket the entire fee.

2. Accountant

Accounting is a crucial part of any business. One must understand the role of an accountant when leasing an office space. Commercial accountants, specifically, are people who are responsible for the efficient running of the commercial elements of an organization’s finances. They help companies with budget analysis, audit reporting, portfolios, and other accounting related to the business. These people can help you understand further how commercial real estate works and what you can do to maximize your profits.

It is crucial that you understand the tax issues, budgets, and planning in your business. That is what accountants can help with especially when choosing the best office space for your business. Most significantly, accountants provide you the information you need in the contract negotiation process to avoid making financial errors.

3. Attorney

Commercial lease review is one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the office leasing process. Even with multiple experiences in a commercial lease, specifications still change depending on the landlord. Every landlord has different lease. Furthermore, complicated terms are also on the line especially in commercial leases. While a tenant rep can review a lease and make business recommendations, getting help from an attorney to review the legal aspects of a commercial lease is important to make sure your rights are protected.

An experienced real estate attorney can easily navigate and review a commercial lease’s legal and financial specifications. They can make the details easier for you to understand. any legal issues about the lease.

4. Architect

Whatever location you choose, an architect / space planner is someone who can help define how to best use the space. Not only can they prepare a space plan, but they can help you identify other factors that can affect the project budget, project schedule, and the general feasibility of the location.

Contacting an architect early in the process is a good idea. Even before you have chosen a location. they can be your guide and added protection in the decision-making process. An architect knows about any construction codes and zoning regulations your business must comply with. An architect partnered with a designer will also help you with modification or renovations on the office if needed.

Other Office Leasing Considerations

In addition to the help you get from professionals, there are still many things you need to consider. These considerations are significant for your business and your employees in deciding on a final location. A list of other factors you should consider when choosing a new office space include:

Location and accessibility
Price
Growth constraints
Technology and infrastructure
Layout and design
Contingency plan

Leasing office space will always be a challenging thing to do. Obtaining enough knowledge, guidance, and understanding will help smooth the way. That is where we come in. Did I mention that what we do is help businesses acquire office space? We have been doing it since 1995 and have developed the finest online network of local tenant reps. We have over 600 of them throughout the US and Canada. If you are looking to make a move, we’d love to talk with you. No obligation to contact us. Hope you do.

5 Office Design Tips That Will Help You Be More Productive

Many underestimate the power of the workplace or office design. Most offices have fluorescent lights and a basic outlook. Therefore, the first thing that pops in our minds when we hear the word office is plain colors, brown or metal desks, and black office chairs. However, there is a strong relationship between office design and productivity. We spend at least 8 hours every day in our workplaces, so it only makes sense that they should be cozy and relaxing places as well. If you are a business owner and wondering how you can make the offices in your company a more appealing working environment to increase productivity, read on as this article will provide you with the top office design tips that would help you create a productive working environment.

Choose the Right Colors

It has been proven that colors have an effect on our brain and mood. Therefore, productivity and colors are connected to each other. Each color has a different effect; for example, blue and green have a calming effect on the brain and are easy on the eyes. On the other hand, yellow boosts creativity. So, mainly bright colors stimulate the mind, and soft colors induce relaxation. You don’t have to paint all the walls with bright colors if you want to inspire creativity, as adding bright colors in different areas in the office will do.

Add a Space for Relaxation

While many business owners are against creating a space for relaxation in the workplace, researchers have proved that employees are much more productive when they are provided with space where they can unwind, recharge, and take a break in when things get tough and complicated. Think of it as a power nap that recharges our bodies and freshens up our minds. Actually, if you allow power naps in these relaxation spaces, that would be a great idea, as sometimes we need to step back a little and unwind, so we can figure out solutions for problems. Adding a cozy space for relaxation is a guaranteed way for increasing productivity.

Minimalism

The less clutter, the easier things will get done. Moreover, clutter makes people feel stressed out and uncomfortable. Minimalism has a calming effect on the brain and would make your office look chic. The fewer items are in the office, the more positive energy will enter your workplace. Furthermore, minimal furniture and items in an office reduce or eliminate the feeling of being overwhelmed. Even in open workspaces, you can apply minimalism. One of the ways to apply minimalism is by doing space partitioning with tool accommodation for a clutter-free desktop area. Also, applying minimalism is very cost-effective. When employees start their day in a simple, chic office, they feel more relaxed and become more productive.

Use Scents

Scents have the power to stimulate our senses, and the same with colors, each scent has a different effect on our brain. For instance, peppermint scent is energizing and refreshing and helps people focus more, citrus scents help in reducing stress and have an uplifting effect, and lavender promotes calmness and wellness. You can put essential oil diffusers around your office to avoid using scented candles to eliminate the risk of accidental fires.

Add Plants

There is no denying that plants have a refreshing yet calming effect on us. We always go back to our innate love for nature because we are natural-loving beings, and we are connected to plants and nature in a way or another. To bring good and positive vibes to your workplace, add potted plants and vases in the work area. Any kind of plant will do the trick. Moreover, other than increasing productivity, plants purify the air in the office.

You cannot expect employees to reach their full potential and do their best when they work in a boring, bland workspace. In order to make your employees happier and keep them motivated, you need to provide them with the right working environment. Everything in the workspace has a direct effect on the employees’ productivity like the wall colors, scents, and furniture. Adding greenery to the office creates a fresh, energizing feel and invites positive energy to the place. Moreover, creating a cozy space, where employees can take a break from work and recharge, is proven to increase the employees’ productivity. Besides, all of these solutions for increased productivity won’t cost you a lot of money, on the contrary, they might even cut costs.

And if you are looking for an office for your company where everyone can be more productive at work, let us know and we will show you how we can help you acquire your next office space. Our services are free to you.

Tips To Make Office Relocation Go Smoother

As you are running a company, you have tons of internal and external responsibilities to take care of. From producing goods and services, management of employees, to the satisfaction of customers, a lot needs to be done. However, these are not very difficult once you compare them with one particular thing. Do you know what is more difficult to handle? Office relocation.

4 Tips To Make Office Relocation Smoother

Office relocation presents many challenges that you may not be prepared to tackle. The entire setup needs to go someplace else – all the hardware, systems, and office address will move, and it’s nowhere easy. However, there are a string of things that you can do to make sure the office relocation happens very smoothly without any disturbance. We have put together some tips that you can use to make your office relocation easy:

Plan In Advance

First thing first, you will have to plan out everything before you make a move. The place where you want to go, space available, and means of transportation, etc. This way, you will be prepared for the challenges that you may bump into. Other things that you may consider paying attention to include the vicinity of your new location, packing services you want to hire, and things you want to get rid of.

Make A Checklist

Moving your office can be more complex than you think. This is where an office moving checklist will prove to be useful. This step is a part of the planning process. The checklist can help you get all your tasks done and ensure you don’t miss anything. Make a list of items that you need to be transported and put down all the steps that you need to follow. Using that, you will identify what needs to be done.

Communicate Well

You know your office address is going to be changed, and everybody from your employees to stakeholders needs to know about it. You will meet to share the new address with everybody – so that it doesn’t disturb the cadence of your work after you have relocated your office. This will help you avoid problems and confusion for all concerned.

Get Your Place Ready

You are going to a new office and the it needs to be ready to welcome your team. Make sure everything is set up just as you want before you take your office’s bag and baggage there. This will allow you to get started at your new location without wasting time. Things to check include furniture, lighting, washroom, air-conditioner, and most importantly, safety measures such as emergency and fire alarm.

The Bottom Line

Office relocation can be as tedious as shifting into a new house. Following the tips listed above to make sure the process sails like a boat on a calm river. Make a checklist and do what is required. Tell all your company stakeholders about your new address. Lastly, check your new place before you shift anything to avoid any disturbance later on.

Find out more about office relocation.

If you are ready to make that office relocation, but need to acquire the new office, we can help. Contact us for more information. No obligation and our services are free.

3 Tips To Sync Your Home Office With Your Main Office

As more employees are permitted to work from home, remote work has become more acceptable among companies and employers. There’s all the more reason why you should sync your home office with your main office, by setting up your home office in such a way that it would bring out your productivity and creativity.

If you’re planning to set up your home office or do some minor changes to your current one, you might want to start checking out for office desks and gather some ideas.

1. Choose Your Location

In syncing your home office with your main office, the first thing you have to settle is the location inside your house where you’ll set up your home office. As they would say in website design: build around user behavior, and not the other way around. In much the same way, set up in a spot where family members don’t go.

In choosing a location observe every corner of the house and think about which part is least frequented by everyone at home.
As much as possible, choose a spot which has a door you can close or lock. This works both ways. It helps you close yourself in and focus on your work, away from the distractions in the house. It also helps you separate your working hours from your rest hours, by closing your office at the end of each working day.
Another thing you have to keep in mind in choosing your work spot or location is potential distractions from other members of your household. If you have kids, or if there are toddlers inside the house, try to choose a location which they don’t frequent or isn’t likely to be a place where they’d be doing their role-playing or pretend games. If you have pets such as cats or dogs, you’ll also have to think of a place which they won’t frequent or they might inadvertently tear a report or important document.

2. Surrounding That Helps You Focus

The next thing you have to consider when thinking of setting up your home office is, you should set it up in a surrounding which would help you focus. Whether you work in the office or at home, being able to focus on your work and specific tasks at hand is one of the most important things that would help you finish the work you need to do.

Your surroundings should enable you to focus and concentrate on your work. If you’ve worked for quite a number of companies, you’d know which kinds of office set-up works for you and which are those that don’t.
Aside from what you can see in your home office, another thing you need to consider in removing all possible distractions is the noise and other sound distractions which you would be able to hear once you start working in your home office. If at all possible, line your home office with sound insulation materials such as cork boards on the ceiling and around the walls of your home office.
If your work entails exerting your creativity, then you also need to think of setting up your spot in such a way it would help you concentrate when you have to, pull away when you need to see the big picture, and unleash your creativity whenever you think you’re facing an unsolvable problem.

3. Productivity And Connectivity

Another thing you have to take into account when sync your home Office is how your office will enable and help you increase your productivity and connectivity.

One of the first few things on your checklist for productivity is a flat surface or desk. It doesn’t have to be a very large desk. Choose a desk that’s wide enough for you to do the work you have to do, with ample space for your usual clutter when you’re at work.
You need internet connectivity which is enough for your work requirements. If your work entails a lot of video presentations or video conferencing, remember that these things usually take up a lot of bandwidth when you go online. So, make sure your internet connectivity is good enough for what you need to do most of the time.
Part of being productive comes from having the right equipment and devices for what you need to do and being comfortable enough to be able to focus on your tasks without feeling drowsy or sleepy. If your work entails a lot of video conferencing, then maybe it’s time to invest in external cameras if you’re using desktop computers and a good headset if you take a lot of phone calls.

Bringing Your Office Home

As many companies have realized the immense potential of allowing their employees to work from home, more office workers are being placed on work-from-home mode. This may become more standard way companies decide to have employees work.

If you are looking for an office that your employees can sync to from home, contact us. Our local reps can help you, at no cost to you, find the right space at the best price and avoid costly mistakes. Give us a try! No obligation.

6 Considerations When Selecting An IT Support Provider

Aha! The big question “how do I choose the right IT support provider for my business?” At some point, every business will need IT support.

If you’ve found yourself musing over this, you are not alone. With the rapid and continuous evolution of technology, more businesses are in dire need of IT services. But, with so many IT service providers to choose from, each claiming to be better than the other, it can be quite challenging to find the IT service provider that is best for your business needs.

However, there are certain things to consider before choosing an IT service provider which can help make choosing the right fit for your business needs easier. I’ll tell you six things to consider when choosing an IT service provider. But, first, have you ever heard the term Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

What Is A Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

One of the ways to know a good IT company (or at least, one that will suit your business) is that it provides Managed IT Services. Managed IT Services typically refers to a series of IT solutions and services which allow you to delegate all of your IT-related tasks or needs (including maintaining and monitoring your IT system round-the-clock) to a Managed Service Provider (an MSP).

This is an excellent option, especially for businesses that can’t afford to hire a team of tech experts. But, the most important thing is finding an IT service provider that will get the job done and right. This brings us back to the six things to consider before choosing an IT service provider.

Let’s go!

1. Consider Availability

The last thing you need is an IT service provider that doesn’t show up on time, when you need it, or at all. Availability is the first factor to consider when choosing an IT service provider. You want to know if your preferred IT company can maintain and monitor your IT systems round-the-clock.

Ask the important questions:

- How quickly can you reach your IT company either through email, call or chat?
- What is the average response time?
- How long does it take for them to resolve any issues?

Ensure that you have the answers you want, and if possible, authentic customer testimonials.\

2. Consider Experience

Another crucial factor to consider is the level of experience of an IT service provider. You want to be sure you are working with an IT company with a track record of success. Your IT company should offer access to a team of skilled and experienced technicians who can get the job done flawlessly anytime.

3. Consider Security

Perhaps, this is one of the most important factors in this list. Security is important to any business, and even the minutest breach can cost you a lot. You need to be certain that your IT service provider will monitor your network 24/7 to quickly detect any potential problems and solve them on time. You don’t want a situation where you constantly worry about malware, hackers, or viruses disrupting your business’ productivity. Your IT company should use top-of-the-line tools and technologies to secure your data.

4. Consider Your Budget

Of course, while you want the best IT solutions and services for your business, you also don’t want to break the bank while getting it. A good IT company will offer flat-rate IT support to suit your budget. If an IT service provider’s services are too pricey for your operating expenses, then it may be best to look for a more budget-friendly option.

Note: A ridiculously cheap IT service provider may not be a good idea, as the quality of service may not be good enough to secure your data.

5. Consider Versatility

Look out for IT service providers that offer many different services and solutions to choose from. Instead of outsourcing other service needs (such as wireless services, virtual CIO services, VoIP business phones, hosted cloud services, mobile device management, and more), hiring an IT service provider that offers all of these services helps you significantly cut back on operating expenses.

6. Consider Scalability

It is very important to work with an IT service provider that prioritizes your business growth and success. This means choosing an IT company that completely understands your business needs, goals, and how to achieve them.

Final Thoughts

Hiring the right IT service provider is highly beneficial to any business. It takes away the unnecessary hassles of running a business and allows you to focus on the things that matter. So, if you are considering hiring an IT service provider, these six factors will help you figure out what to look out for to make the right choice.

If you are looking for office space that can provide you with the Information technology you need, we can help with our network of local pros. All at no cost to you. Contact us today to find out more. No obligation to request info. Give us a try. You will be happy you did.

4 Ways to Become More Productive at Work

Productivity is the heart and soul of a functioning workspace. If employees are to be productive at work, it could come down to the structure and setting of the office. Not just the location, but the layout of office furniture and equipment, the flow between employee space, and the overall feeling of the office.

Fortunately, there are resources out there to help boost a business’s productivity and make an office a place where employees want to get their work done. Keep reading for four tips and some advice on how to accomplish a more productive workspace.

1. Create Opportunities for Movement

The best way to stay focused during a long day of work is to acknowledge when you’ve hit a productivity wall and to take short, quick breaks to gain a new perspective on what you’re working on. Ergonomic furniture such as stand-to-sit desks encourages changing positions and moving throughout the workday. Standing desks can improve overall mood and vigor in not only the workplace but has been shown to carry through to out of work environments. You can build other opportunities for movement into your workspace, such as putting the copy machine on the opposite end of the room and having a central water cooler. Create reasons to stand and move about.

Productivity is not directly correlated with time spent on tasks, so it’s important to make sure that you’re recalibrating and refuelling once in a while.

Ideally, you want a workspace that doesn’t confine employees to one spot and gives them the option to work in different locations, even remotely, if the business model allows for it.

2. Give Gadgets a Home

Smartphones and tablets can help you stay organized, but they can also be a big distraction and aid in time-wasting. The best way to avoid wasting time is to find a home for gadgets and leave them there.

We have so many screens competing for our attention. Consider putting them in a drawer. Try to keep them in their dedicated place while you do your work so that you won’t be distracted by a constant stream of notifications.

3. Keep Your Space Clean

If you’re sitting in a messy area thinking about how messy it is and how you should really clean it, you’re probably not getting a lot done. It makes it much more difficult to be productive at work.

Take a few minutes every day to organize your workspace. Throw out unnecessary items and maintain whatever organization system suits your style, so those extra distractions don’t build up.

In addition to cleaning or organizing your workspace every day, organize and prioritize a to-do list so that you have a clear idea of what you need to do, which have top priority and don’t waste time at the beginning of your workday trying to figure it out. At the end of the day, sit down and quickly write what you need to get done the next work day.

This helps you reflect on what you’ve accomplished during the day and how you can move forward to produce great work the next day.

4. Get Personal

Personalizing your space can increase your emotional connection to your work, but it’s important to not let the personal touches become clutter and to do this in moderation

Items that you don’t frequently use shouldn’t take up desk space. Add a productivity-boosting plant and keep a personal calendar to stay on track throughout the week.

Plants are fashionable these days and aren’t just for pretty social media photos. They serve a great benefit in the office, too. Make space feel more alive. Although not a traditional method of creating a productive workspace, their impact is not imaginary. Plants assist in creating an environment far more conducive to increased productivity, than traditional, sterile workspaces.

Having plants around the workspace helps produce cleaner air, and it motivates one to be more energetic and creative. Scientific studies have even been able to prove the positives of more greenery for the office. From reducing stress to increasing productivity and creativity, plants have been proven to improve it all.

Choose personal items that inspire you to be more productive. Keep a framed photo of your family, kids, partner, or pet on your desk. Let them be the ones that keep you motivated throughout your workday.

No one is the same. There is no single approach to office layouts, design, or functionality that suits everyone, espcially considering there are now 4 generations in the workforce. Having the flexibility to not be in the office during the entirety of the workday, having some plants and personal touches, and having a space to breath, be creative, and express oneself will make the workplace more productive, and helps everyone to be more successful.

If you are looking for the right office space to create a workplace to help employees become more productive at work, we’d love to help. It is what we do on a daily basis through out the US and Canada. Give us a try. No cost and no obligation. Let us know what you are looking for and we will get right on it.

How to Make Sure Your Business Gets Top-Notch IT Support

In the era of innovative technologies, no business can grow without quality IT support. However, the IT world is changing at lightning speed, making it more and more difficult even for large companies to keep pace with that constant evolution. Needless to say, small businesses often find themselves in a pretty complicated situation, trying to facilitate reliable IT support within their budgets. Unfortunately, the one-size-fits-all approach is not what can really work for smaller enterprises, all the more so, it is always more expensive.

No doubt, the dream of every business owner (including you) is to provide for their company top-notch IT support that can easily fit into the budget and deliver tailored solutions. Here you have it: an in-depth guide on how to make this dream come true – quickly and hassle-free.

Add Value to Your Business Through Outsourcing

Generally speaking, businesses have two options to get IT support – to build a dedicated in-house team or to outsource. Let’s start with the first option, an in-house team. We bet, having an armed squad of professionals right inside your building and at your full disposal sounds to you really great, doesn’t it?

Well, it does but only if you can afford to hire full-time staff, which the majority of small and medium companies cannot. Why not take a look at some figures and make the situation crystal clear? For instance, at Network London you can see a good infographic that compares costs for a wide range of IT services when using your in-house team or outsourcing. Not only outsourced IT services cost four times less than the in-house option but it also provides for higher performances.

Long story short, IT outsourcing significantly reduces your costs, at the same time boosting the quality of the service through implementing state-of-the-art software tools. Plus, it eliminates the risk of investing your hard-earned money in ineffective or wrong solutions.

Define Your Needs and Wants

To get the biggest bang for the buck, you should look for services that your company really needs – no one-size-fits-all recipe. The roster of IT services available is quite extensive and can vary dramatically from one provider to another. However, the best providers of IT support often have it all under one roof – a kind of one-stop-shop for everything you might be interested in.

It’s up to you whether to opt for a full package that includes all conceivable and inconceivable services, from app and software development or database management to customer service and IP telephones and communications. Other commonly outsourced areas are infrastructure design and management, IT, technical and helpdesk support, email hosting and replication, as well as cybersecurity testing and management, to name a few.

When IT Support Is Really Top-Notch

As soon as you compile the list of services you need, you can start looking for a decent provider. Do not rush to conclusions and do not strike a deal until you are sure, you’ve found your perfect fit. With a plethora of different IT service providers out there, it might be challenging to estimate the quality of each of them. To give you a hand, here are a couple of words on what you should consider top-notch IT support.

To start with, do not settle for less than a dedicated account manager – a person who will know every little detail which is significant to you and your business. There is nothing worse than being unable to quickly solve an issue just because no one seems to be in charge of this particular field or question. The next thing is how fast your every issue can be addressed – make sure that picking up a support call is a matter of seconds for your future provider. Although the great bulk of issues are usually solved remotely, keep in mind that some problems will seek an onsite visit and you do not want to wait for ages – an hour or so for a big city is awesome.

Do not forget that even though IT services largely rely on state-of-the-art software and tools, people are still the main driving force. Look for a team of seasoned IT engineers certified in Microsoft or Apple technology and well-versed in all aspects of their work including network administration.

When it comes to office space, failures and shortcomings within your IT infrastructure not only negatively affect performances and productivity (read revenues) but also dwarf your chances to grow. Before you commit to relocation, check to make sure the communications infrastructure will meet your needs. On the other side, quality and reliable IT systems make a strong base for staying ahead of the competition and reaching your goals in a faster and more advantageous way.

And if you are looking for office space, we can help with our network of top local tenant reps. They will make sure you avoid costly mistakes, like poor infrastructure. Contact us today for more information on how we can help. No cost or obligation.

4 Ways To Create A More Productive Work Space

After hiring a couple of employees and renting an office, it seems that you’ve done your part, but that’s not entirely true. Although you’ve done what’s necessary, it doesn’t hurt to go the extra mile by helping your employees settle in on their jobs and create a productive work space. After all, once they adapt to the business, their productivity will soar.

More productivity means more work done, and more work done means more money for the company.

The best part is that you don’t necessarily have to guide them each step of the way. Creating favorable working conditions would be more than enough to help them become more comfortable, and that’s what this guide is all about. Below are four ways to breed productive employees through improving their workspace:

1. Incorporate Natural Sceneries

You may have heard from somewhere or someone before that greeneries and natural light can improve your mood, and yes, it’s true. Humans have a desire to connect to nature, which is why a study has found that even just a minute with nature can lead to a feeling of relaxation, which may increase productivity.

While it’s true that nature itself can lead to relaxation, there are other ways to make the workspace much closer to nature, and that’s by getting air filters that eliminate pollution. Of course, you can buy some plants and place them in your employees’ desks, but if you find a custom filter that pretty much does the job, there’s no need to bother with buying greeneries.

2. Provide Proper Equipment

Surely it must be evident that one of the best ways to improve productivity is by providing the proper equipment. Employees may feel disheartened knowing that the business they’re working for cannot provide them with the necessary tools for the job, resulting in less productivity.

The pieces of equipment you’ll need to prepare to differ according to what business you run. For most office jobs, employees must have their own desks and gadgets such as computers or laptops. Other than working equipment, you also have to consider buying equipment that brings comfort such as ergonomic chairs.

3. Mind the Temperature

Electrolytes, a compound that serves as energy for the body, deplete much faster in hot conditions. On the other hand, excessive coldness can lead to discomfort and even vulnerability to diseases. In other words, the temperature must be perfect. You can either use air conditioners during hot climates or heaters during the cold weather.

4. Introduce Colors to the Office

Is there a feeling of relaxation when you see the color blue all around you? Do you feel a sense of excitement when you’re surrounded by red walls? That’s probably because colors can affect a person’s mood, just like nature.

For that reason, it’s a good idea to paint your office walls with a color that improves productivity, but which color? You may have already guessed it, but red is an excellent color since it keeps the heart pumping, which might be necessary to employees if they somehow feel bored during work hours. Blue is also a great alternative as it exudes a calming atmosphere, which can help your employees focus on their tasks.

Wrapping Up

No matter how high the pay is or how nice you are to your employees, you can’t guarantee that they’ll become much more productive. What they need is a good productive work place, one that suits their needs and provides them with comfort. While it’s not an easy task, this guide should make it less complicated. However, remember that great things aren’t free, so don’t be afraid to invest in your business and your workforce.

And if you are looking for office space wher you can creat a productive work space, we can help with our network of local tenant reps. Contact us today to find out more. Our services are free to you! No obligation either.