Category Archives: Office Space Planning

Is Office Space an Employee Benefit?

Office space is an Employee Benefit

Actually, yes. Your office space should be considered an employee benefit. To do so you need to make sure you have developed a good workplace strategy that will allow the office space to shine. Employees do take office space into consideration when deciding where to work. If you treat it like an employee benefit, your employees will be happier and more productive. Your office space is a major resource for your business. It does so much for you. It gives your employees a place to work, and to meet with customers, but really, it does so much more. Your office space has a huge impact on your employees and their work. What can you do to improve your office space for your employees?

Office Location

The first thing that you should consider is how close your office space is to your employees. If your office is far away from any large communities, your employees probably have to drive long distances, while if you’re in the middle of a city, it’s probably just a few minutes, or even a short walk. Long commutes will lead to tired employees, but a short commute every morning will give you energetic employees that are ready to work.

General feel and design

The general feel of the office is actually very important. In addition to being attractive to clients, your employees will greatly appreciate an office with a happy feel. They’ll show this, whether or not they realize it, through working harder and more efficiently, as well as a more positive attitude in general.

Since most office workers spend a considerable amount of time in the office, it is important that you a work environment where employees will be happy and productive.  With a little effort you can upgrade an existing office taking a few of these ideas to implementation.

Colors

The color scheme is more important than you might think.  Studies have shown that different colors can create different moods. As examples, various shades of blues have a more relaxing effect and makes workers more productive.  Green is easier on the eyes and make people feel healthier. There are lots of studies in this area you can investigate

Office Layout

The trend for many companies is in utilizing a more open office layout.  One of the most popular ideas is to have a few desks or tables located in the center of the office with quiet rooms located throughout the rest of the office.  Open floor plans seem to increase teamwork but can become distractions for some workers so having the quiet rooms is important.

Standing Opportunity

Sitting all day is not healthy. Employees who work in offices can often feel the negative effects of sitting all day.  Many offices today are providing opportunities to work while standing.  Adjustable desks that can accommodate workers different heights are popular. Some have even provided table in break rooms where people can stand and have their coffee.

Art

Art work selection can be tricky. It is important that any artwork put in an office be chosen carefully.  Many offices have success with featuring pictures of company events. Also pictures of nearby landmarks or places of notoriety are also effective.  In some cases many companies have benefited utilizing the services of an art consultant.

Floor Coverings

Choose floor coverings to improve the look of their office.  This is cost effective and can have a positive effect on the work environment. Many companies like to get as many employees as possible involved with the floor covering choices.

Add features

Make additions to your office for your employees. A good start is a quality coffee maker or small kitchen if you don’t already have one. Once you have the basics, start making your office unique. Make your break room special or add a gym or library. Adding features that employees can’t get anywhere else can do wonders for employee retention.

Looking for more ways to improve your office space, or a new space all together? Contact us. We can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

How to Make Your Office Space Reflect Your Business

office spaceMany people who have office jobs spend most of their day working and socializing in their office space.  It’s important a company to provide a work environment that promotes a creative and productive atmosphere.  With some effort an existing office space can be made comfortable and unique. Here are a few ideas that can help make your office space reflect your business.

Color Selection

When choosing office space many people are careful in choosing the color scheme.  Research has shown that different colors can create different moods. As an example, various types of blues are believed to have a more relaxing effect and makes workers more productive.  Green has shown to be easier on the eyes and make people feel healthier.

Layout

Today many companies are utilizing a more open office layout.  One of the most popular ideas is to have a few desks or tables located in the center of the office.  This can be used as a place for employees to sit and work when they need a change from their regular space.  Open floor plans seem to increase teamwork but can become distractions for some workers.

Standing Opportunity

People who work in offices can often feel the effects of sitting all day.  Many medical experts feel this is actually unhealthy. Many offices today are providing opportunities to work while standing.  Adjustable desks that can accommodate workers different heights are popular. Some have even provided table in break rooms where people can stand and have their coffee.

Art

It is important that any artwork put in an office be chosen carefully.  Many offices have success with featuring pictures of company events. Also, pictures of nearby landmarks or places of notoriety are also effective.  In some cases, many companies have benefited utilizing the services of an art consultant.

Floor Coverings

Many companies carefully choose floor coverings to increase the look of their office.  This is cost effective and can have a positive effect on the work environment. Many companies like to get as many employees as possible involved with the floor covering choices.

When does all of this happen? During space planning. Space planning is the analysis and documentation of a business’s current and/or proposed facility. So, it is important that you have a space planner that understands your business and your office space goals. Space planning can happen both with a new office and an existing one.

The best way to make sure you get your office needs met is to engage the services of a local office tenant representative, like the ones at OfficeFinder, to make sure you consider all the factors you need to in your market. Every market has slight nuances that need to be considered. They are also very familiar with good space planners to assist you  making your office space reflect your business.

Are you looking for office space you can have to represent your company?  Contact us today so we can show you how we can help.

How to Help Your Team Comfortably Transition to Standing Desks (Part 2)

Standing DeskWelcome back to the second half of this two-part series on introducing standing desks into your office to improve both productivity and employee health. Last time, we covered why standing desks are the ideal solution to the myriad of health problems that tend to plague office employees and how to slowly introduce standing desks as your team adapts to the new physical norm. However, the standing desk policy doesn’t require participants to stand all the time so today we’ll start with interesting chair alternatives for sitting, resting, and working out.

Consider Chair Alternatives

Every now and then, something we thought was permanent about the world will be changed suddenly by a new idea. In this case, standing desks have introduced the idea that offices don’t need office chairs. In fact, employees can sit on whatever makes them comfortable and productive. No one should stand 100% of the work day so transitions will happen and you can make them easier by helping your staff choose how they want to sit when they sit. Some standing desk users prefer a tall stool to rest on from time to time, others like a nice big exercise ball for their sitting time which is also great for desk workouts. Others will keep a desk chair or folding camp chair nearby for lumbar support when they rest.

Find a Posture Coach

One of the reasons some people have a terrible time adapting to standing desks is because they don’t know how to stand. Many people slouch, lock their knees, or simply never learned to line their spine and shoulders above the hips and stand in ‘parade rest’ for long periods of time. If you want standing desks to be a hit, make sure your team knows how to stand comfortably. A posture coach can be a training video, a demonstration, an employee assigned to help others, or a professional brought in from the outside.

Dynamic and Anti-Fatigue Standing

Finally, even with good posture no one stands in the same position for hours comfortably. Standing desk professionals have begun to explore interesting alternatives like a wobble board, foam tubes, step stools, and mini-elliptical machines for enjoyable standing that doesn’t leave you stiff. Of course, no matter how you mix it up, fatigue mats are an undeniable necessity as they turn the hard, unyielding floor into a conforming, supportive surface for your feet.

Whether your team is three people or fifty, introducing standing desks is a great way to promote employee health and break up the monotony of everyone sitting quietly without activity or movement for many hours at a stretch. Just make sure when updating the office to standing desks that you do so in a way that is workable and comfortable for everyone.

Top Tips For Making Your Office Friendly For Those With Reduced Mobility

Mobility ScooterIf you’re starting up a business, moving or looking to make renovations to an existing office, then taking into account employees and visitors with reduced mobility is imperative. Creating a diverse and encompassing workplace will not only help to tackle any problems with inaccessible access in the future, but it may also help to widen your hiring opportunities. Creating an accessible office isn’t as costly as it may initially seem, and here, we’re providing you with top tips to help make your office friendly for those with reduced mobility.

Corridors & Pathways

One of the key areas in the office that can create a barrier for those with reduced mobility is the corridors. If these are cluttered with cupboards or boxes, then the corridors may seem narrower than they actually are. As a result, those who rely on the use of a mobility scooter or a wheelchair, no matter the size, may be unable to navigate their way through seamlessly. Simply decluttering your hallways, corridors and outdoor pathways can help to ensure that your office is much friendlier for those with reduced mobility. In some cases, you may consider renovating your office corridors in order to widen them, or create alternative wheelchair-accessible routes to accommodate those with reduced mobility.

Ramps & Front-Door Accessibility

A big consideration for businesses is the accessibility of their front door. Ramps, mobility scooter routes and automatic doors may all need to be installed, or renovated, in order to accommodate those with reduced mobility appropriately. Ramps are often an affordable option, but these tend to be temporary, unless concrete alternatives are put in place to act as a ramp. In addition to this, you may want to consider separate routes to the building for mobility scooters in particular, as these may be deemed to be a hazard to pedestrians. Numerous hospitals and other public buildings tend to class bikes and mobility scooters as a similar vehicle and therefore, have a bike/mobility scooter route to help ensure the safety and ease of navigation of everybody entering and exiting the building. Automatic doors may also be a consideration that your business may implement, due to the ease of access they provide when entering and exiting a building.

Allow Work Day Modifications

This is particularly important for businesses who have hired employees who have a disability. In order to make the workplace friendlier, some businesses may require the work day to be modified, in order to allow for frequent breaks, flexible starting times and in some cases, the opportunity to work from home from time to time. While this isn’t always a necessity, and sometimes it may not even be a practical possibility, if there are some ways in which your business is able to better accommodate the needs of their disabled employees (whether they are have reduced mobility, or a visual or hearing impairment), then they should be a key consideration.

Understanding the needs of visitors with reduced mobility, and accurately accommodating for those needs can often be key for business success. Whether you’re looking to widen your corridors, install ramps at the building entrance or reinstate a neglected lift, there are plenty of options that you can consider when it comes to making your office friendly for those with reduced mobility.

If you need help finding office space that is friendly for your reduced Mobility employees, contact us.

What to Look for in High-Tech Office Leasing Opportunities

High-Tech office leasingIt’s a fact: the modern workforce is increasingly dependent on technology. From the necessity of high-speed internet to the convenience of automated building functions, you are searching for the best options not only in price and location, but also in digital amenities. So, what kind of office building technology can you look for in High-Tech Office Leasing? Read on!

  • “Wired Certification”. WiredScore offers building certification that advertises how well-connected a property is. It takes into account infrastructure, readiness, and what (if any) internet providers are already in use within the building. This certification is a simple and effective way of letting you know how reliable the connectivity is.
  • Stimulate common area engagement. Is the lobby interesting and helpful with the addition of smart technology. Are there smart screens for tenant directories, digital signage, and news, weather, and traffic updates on screens throughout your building?
  • Connect with management. Is there a building-specific app or software designed to create easy communication between building administration and tenants. Good communication is, after all, a major factor in tenant satisfaction.
  • Automated building functions. This is a growing area of technological advancement that is built for convenience. There are currently apps that automate HVAC systems, lights, elevators, security clearance, and guest sign-in. The possibilities for this technology are endless and it’s likely they will become standard in office buildings of the future.

Feel free to contact us for more information on how to find high-tech solutions to meet your office space needs.

Not a Big Fan of the Open Office Space Design? Collaboration is Still Possible!

open office space designThere is a clear move toward the open office space design. Facebook has done it; so have other heavy hitters in the high-tech environment. Although the idea of collaboration has been the driving force behind this movement, some business owners have a difficult time giving up privacy to achieve teamwork. Now, they can have their cake and eat it, too.

When Needs for Community and Privacy Collide

There is no doubt that an open office environment encourages collaboration not just between pre-defined work groups but also between different teams. But for the employee who does her or his best work in the confines of an office without the loud din of the communal work space, this environment can be a detriment. This problem becomes particularly evident when you have employees of various age groups on staff. Millennials inevitably do better with the open office concept than Baby Boomers.

Enabling Impromptu Community Work in the Privacy of an Office

Is it possible to find a happy medium between a worker’s need for privacy and the contemporary trend toward a collaborative environment? Yes, it is.

  • Doors. Keep the office concept intact but ensure that doors remain open. In fact, some companies have begun removing doors altogether.
  • Snack lounge. An unused office becomes a snack parlor with beanbag chairs, sofas, a water cooler and plenty of healthy snacks. Not the employee lunchroom, it is a place where folks can come for impromptu meetings.
  • Goal setting. The weekly or monthly team meeting is not an optional exercise. Use it to define the goals that your workers should strive to meet. How they do so is up to them.

When you need to find your next office space that allows for the mixed collaborative and private work space design, contact our experts to help you find just what you are looking for.

4 Office Space Leasing Tips to Make Your Space the Right Space

No Mistakes office space leasing tipsThere are millions of square feet of office space out there, and if you want to find office space that fits your employees’ needs, you might think you’re in for a long search. That isn’t necessarily the case if you know what to look for and how to get it right. When you see office space for rent, follow some simple tips that will save you time and point you toward the space you want.

Here are 4 Office Space Leasing Tips to Consider

1. Look at Maintenance

No matter how sweet a deal seems, if the space in question is poorly maintained, or if it looks good at first but you start noticing little problems like spots of peeling paint in the corner or dirt on walls, you should move on to the next space on your list. Office space needs to be in good shape not only for the safety of your employees, but also because any customers or potential business investors coming to your office might assume the lack of maintenance also reflects a lack of quality or professionalism in your business. One of the tricks the pros use is to take a good look at the bathrooms to get a measure of how well the property is maintained.

2. What Do Your Employees Want?

What your employees want in an office space is just as essential as the price and location. Maybe they want a good balance between communal working spaces like conference rooms and private spaces where they can go and shut out others in order to concentrate. They may work better with lots of natural light, meaning you have to find an office with lots of windows that let lots of light in while being shaded enough to prevent overheating. Or maybe they want to be away from a main road so traffic noise is not a constant companion. If your employees are happy with you office space, the more likely they are to be engaged and more productive.

3. Room to Grow

Not every company has plans to expand. However, it’s a good idea to give yourself at least a little breathing room so that, if you suddenly do find a need to expand a bit, you can do so without creating overcrowded conditions. Look for space that is just a little bigger than you currently need, so you’ll have room to add another person or two if you find it necessary for a project.

4. Get Help

It’s a good idea to have help when you start looking for office space. OfficeFinder can work with you to pinpoint the type of space that would serve you best. Our network of local tenant reps will make sure you see all of the viable options and avoid mistakes. Why spend your valuable time doing all the legwork when you can have a pro by your side and it will not cost you anything? Contact OfficeFinder to arrange for a consultation.

6 Ways Providers Tweak Coworking Office Space

Coworking office spacecoworking office space has been on the rise in recent years. Why? Because they are extremely effective in promoting greater work efficiency, company morale and networking opportunities. If you are looking for ways to improve employee satisfaction and work performance even more, check out these six ways coworking office space providers tweak their spaces.

  1. Athletic Elements: Cities like NYC, Chicago, and LA have introduced coworking office space where people can rent an office space or chair…in a rock-climbing gym. This allows self-employed professionals to get a couple hours of work in, get in a climbing session, return to their laptop, and repeat. If you want to stimulate mental performance, provide your employees with the opportunity to get in some physical exercise. Even if the space provider does not provide it directly, very often you can find a gym or yoga studio nearby.
  2. Working Outdoors: Quite a few coworking office space providers have outdoor spaces, like a terrace or patio, you can use to work. Fresh air and sunshine is an excellent (and free) way to boost work performance and making your employees happier.
  3. Decor: Look for bright, vibrant colors and modern furniture. Usually cubicles are replaced with long tables, coffee tables, and comfy, yet supportive chairs. It will encourage an inclusive environment that promotes brainstorming and idea sharing. You will find colors that stimulate creativity and put employees in a better mood.
  4. Brain Food: A wellness atmosphere is always a great idea. Many spaces offer fruits, teas, and other healthy treats. You could even foot the bill. This is not only a way to gift your employees in little ways, but enhance the way they work and boost their energy levels.
  5. Free Beer and Party: Some coworking office space providers even provide complimentary beer and weekly networking parties with catered food. It is not only a great way to get free beer and good food, but also an opportunity to get to know your neighbors.
  6. Fun and Games: It is what younger employees want. A way to burn off steam during the day or after hours with a quick video game on a HD Monitor, ping pong, or pool. There are usually a wide variety of ways coworking office space providers can help entertain your employees.

Looking for a coworking space? We have lots of options from both large and small space providers. Contact us today to find out more!

Want to see a great example of a Coworking Office Space in Seattle. Below is the WeWork space in the historic Holyoke Building. WeWork does not usually take down a single floor of 15,000 to 20,000 square feet, but more in the neighborhood of 30,000 to 60,000 square feet at a time. They lease all 6 floors of the office space in the Holyoke Building at 1st and Spring Streets in Seattle. Have a look and you will see why their coworking office space is so popular. Don’t miss the basement lounge with he fun and games.


Click Here to view in full screen (recommended)

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Can Successful Office Space Planning Be Achieved On A Budget?

Office Space PlanningResearch has repeatedly shown that the workplace itself can have a significant impact upon workers’ happiness and performance, affecting everything from productivity and morale to absenteeism and turnover. Therefore, working with an office design company to address issues with your office space planning layout can be well worth the investment.

With that being said, many companies do not have the luxury of spending vast amounts of money on their office space planning and design, which begs the question: Can successful office space planning be achieved on a budget? Here are some ways in which the cost can be kept down, without sacrificing quality.

The Open Plan Option

One of the best ways to save money on your office space planning is to opt for an open plan design, or at least include large open plan areas. Doing so cuts down on the number of fixed partitions needed, saving space in the process. This has a knock-on effect, because the amount of space you actually need will be reduced.

In addition to reduced real estate costs, other open plan benefits include the ability to modify the space easily and improvements to employee collaboration. With that said, the open plan is not for everyone and a study by IPSOS found that the 11 percent of workers who were most happy and most engaged had access to greater privacy.

Nevertheless, the open plan is the dominant design in the west, accounting for around 70 percent of all offices, according to the International Facilities Management Association. Moreover, by having an open plan office, with smaller private areas, you can enjoy the benefits while minimizing the negatives.

Putting the Essentials First

In recent years, much has been made of the likes of Uber including sleeping pods and Google including slides in their office designs. However, when operating on a budget, the focus should always be on getting the essentials right. People need comfortable work areas, social spaces and natural light far more than they need novelty items.

Although comfort and function are important considerations, it is generally okay to opt for classic furniture. After all, this can always be upgraded later. Furthermore, you should consider the nature of your business and think about which elements are necessary. Do you need so many meeting rooms? Do you even need a reception?

“Doing away with reception areas is a trend we’re increasingly seeing,” Chris Booth, managing director for the fit-out company Overbury, told Forbes. “If client visits are infrequent, giving away expensive rental space for that purpose is inefficient. If you’ve got clients coming in all the time, maybe you need one; if not, is it essential?”

Flexibility and Remote Work

Another great way to save money and ensure your space planning is delivered on-budget is to prioritize flexibility and try to include areas that have multiple functions. For example, when meeting rooms are not in use, could they double as quiet working spaces? Thinking in terms of flexibility also offers a chance to get really creative.

A great example of creative flexible thinking can be seen in the Yodle, Inc. company headquarters in New York. As part of their office design, they have a very wide flight of stairs. As well as their traditional function of allowing people to move between floors, the stairs are a designated social space, allowing for workplace collaboration.

Finally, while on the subject of flexibility, it may be worth some companies embracing the idea of remote working in order to save space and revitalize the workforce. Contrary to classic fears, Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report claims that employees who work remotely on occasion are the happiest and most engaged of all.

Guest Author Bio:

Reno is a founder and director of a leading exhibition and office design company Enigma Visual Solutions, specializing in retail designs, interiors, graphic productions, signage systems, office space planning, event branding, conference set design and much more. He specializes in experiential marketing and event productions. He enjoys sharing his thoughts on upcoming marketing ideas and design trends. Feel free to follow him on twitter.

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Minimalist Office Space Design Embraces Open Floor Plans

office space to rentThe intentional sparsity of a minimalist office space design is the direct antithesis of the standard, cluttered work environment that features plenty of hardware, trick gadgets, and ubiquitous gear. Rather than outfitting this office setting with all the expected gadgetry, the business thinks through the actual benefits a furnishing or hardware item offers.

By omitting clutter and avoiding the danger of once again heading down the road to a paper-supported office setup, the preference for open floor plans is a given. How can this office space design benefit your company?

  • Reduce office machines. Some devices are simply redundant. Do you really need a printer if your clients sign papers electronically? What about the fax machine that still lurks in some offices? By eliminating devices that core hardware and software upgrades would render obsolete, you cut down on the space needed to house these gadgets.
  • Streamline inter-departmental collaboration. If one department uses iOS-based applications but another sticks to Android platforms, you foster the use of multiple processes that do not flow. This practice, of course, results in the need for more gadgets, which eats up usable space.
  • House all departments in the same space. Having a workforce that utilizes one open space for all aspects of the operation increases creativity and cuts down on communication misses.

However, remember that the Minimalist Office Space Design of open floor plan has a few challenges as well. Since noise can be a problem, it is crucial to have areas set aside for actual meetings. Moreover, keep a realistic eye on the square footage. Sure, after taking out a few walls and doing away with closed-door offices and cubicles, it looks as though you have plenty of space.

That said, if you choose a space that is too small to house your employees comfortably, you end up with crowded conditions that counteract your hopes of increased productivity. If you are unsure how much space you really need, contact us today for help with the ideal office selection.