Category Archives: Business Planning

7 Key Factors When Choosing A New Office Space

Your office space isn’t just any other space–it’s the center of innovative ideas and the collective effort of your whole team. That being said, you should always be extra prudent when choosing a new office space.

Whether relocating or starting up, here are several things to consider when choosing a new office space for your company:

Location

The first item to tick off your priority list is the office’s location. Choose a location that’s easy to access, not only for you but also for your employees. Ideally, the office space should be accessible for your clients, partners, and suppliers. Also, consider its proximity to necessities such as public transportation, restaurants and other amenities.

Parking is also another factor to consider when choosing the location. Is there adequate parking for both your employees and customers? You don’t want your customers getting frustrated because they couldn’t find a parking space. Downtown locations generally have very limited parking so it is important to decide how much parking you will need.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure involves several aspects, not just the internet connection. Of course, you want an office space that has reliable connectivity, especially since, nowadays, a business may find it difficult to function without an internet connection. But also take into consideration other aspects of infrastructure like telephone connections and postal services.

If you’re planning to buy a property and turn it into an office space, you need to ensure that the infrastructure is good, especially the availability of good Internet access, electrical, heating and cooling (HVAC), and plumbing systems. If you are planning major renovations for a rehab, check out what is in stock at EasyMerchant.

Your Clients And Other Stakeholders

If you’re moving to a new office, you need to consider if your clients and other stakeholders will find it easy to access the new office. If you’ve been operating in your old office for some time, they’ve undoubtably acquired familiarity with the location and everything around it.

Tasks And Workforce Amenities

Amenities are also an important consideration in determining how comfortable your team will be in the new office. Are there enough amenities for the whole workforce to use and enjoy? An example would be conference facilities that can accommodate the whole team whenever you need to hold a company-wide meeting.

If you’re renting, there are important amenities that should be present in the building like shared meeting areas and daycare centers. Other amenities that may be considered are fitness centers, a lounge, cafes, and even outdoor spaces for tenants.

These amenities will ensure that your organization remains productive at work, and, most importantly, encourage employees to come to the office more frequently, especially if you are implementing an agile workplace with remote work.

Scalability

Scalability means the capacity of your office space to be changed or modified either by size or by scale. Your new office space needs to be flexible enough to accommodate the size of your workforce and it should also have enough room to grow your team.

With scalable office space, you don’t need to worry about having to relocate again just because the space can no longer accommodate your growing company.

Competition

While the office usually needs to be situated in a place where business is centralized, you also need to consider if there are competitors in your prospective area. Make sure and do some research to find out if there will be any competitors that would impact your business nearby.

Price

Whether you’re renting or buying the whole property, you need to know if the asking price is fairly competitive for its location and amenities. If the landlord is not providing tenant improvements, an allowance for them or if you’ll need to do any remodeling and or reconstruction yourself, make sure the price for such is reflected in the price. It is important to make sure you know what it is going to cost prior to signing a lease. You don’t want any nasty surprises after you are committed to a long term agreement.

Conclusion

A productive office space isn’t only for your team’s benefits, but also for the image of your company. Choosing a new office isn’t a walk in the park, but with the help of the tips provided, you have a few of the most important things to consider when choosing a new office space. Needless to say, we recommend you obtain the services of a qualified tenant rep to help you in acquiring your office space. They do this on a day-to-day basis and know what needs to be considered to make sure you get the right space at the best price. We have over 600 local tenant reps to assist you. Contact us today to get in touch with one. No obligation to inquire. You will be glad you did.

The Secret to a Well-kept Office Space

Many of us can agree that we become more productive when working in a clean and tidy office space. Not only does a neat workspace increase your motivation but it also is better for your mental health. A disorganized office has more distractions which disrupt your mental state of mind. These disruptions may be a subconscious reaction that may not even realize.

If your workspace has pieces of paper shoved all around the room; on chairs and on desks, this image immediately triggers your stress levels. Once stress levels are high, it becomes difficult to focus and get anything done. Seeing a pile of papers on your desk may also reduce your motivation levels, creating a negative mindset of your job and yourself. Furthermore, an office space is where many of us spend 8-10 hours a day for 5 or 6 days a week. If this area is unsanitary, filled with a build-up of dust and dirt, the effect that has on both your physical and mental health can be harmful.

Yes, cleaning the office can be a tedious and difficult job. Sometimes we find ourselves spending hours cleaning up the room on days we should be relaxing and enjoying ourselves. However, making sure your office is tidy and well-arranged doesn’t have to be difficult. This article will be discussing the one secret you need to a well-kept office.

A proactive mindset

The secret you need to learn is a change in your mental state of mind: developing and maintaining a proactive mindset. This mindset is an “act now or pay later” mindset where you realize that if you don’t clean your office regularly, in 6 months you will be spending hours trying to. It is the realization that 10-20 minutes of maintaining the office space once a week beats over 3 hours of cleaning it up on a Sunday afternoon. Once you get into this habit you will be programming your mind to be proactive. Cleaning won’t end up being a hassle at all. Before you know it you’ll be spending a couple of minutes every day tidying up in order to come back to a clean space in the morning.

This proactive mindset will also become useful in your day-to-day life. You will get to thinking ahead and creating a contingency plan in case anything goes wrong. Your next family trip will be as easy as pie because you will have packed the necessary things for any emergency.

Now that we know the secret to a well-kept office, the question is how do we achieve it.

How to become a proactive person

Think big picture: shift your mindset to focus more on the future. If you catch yourself trying to find the easy way out of a task or procrastinating remind yourself that in the long run taking action now will only benefit you. Attempt to remind yourself of your own long-term goals. Where you want to end up, what you are really trying to accomplish. A great way to do this is to begin journaling, it allows you time to reflect on yourself and reminds you of the things you find important in your life.
Own up to your mistakes: often we find ourselves and others complaining about others lack of motivation, lack of opportunities, etc. These complaints are an unhealthy habit; trying to convince yourself you are not responsible for a certain situation or outcome within your control.
Focus on what you can control: sometimes we don’t realize that we are getting wound up in situations we can’t control. This creates feelings of anger, stress, and disappointment. However, if we accept that certain situations are not in our hands we begin to focus on things that we can change. This leads to feelings of confidence, empowerment, and achievement. You may not be able to control how bad the traffic is one day but you can make sure that you step into a clean office and ready to work.
Prioritize: being able to prioritize certain tasks aids us in getting things done. Completing every task at once is impossible. However, if you can decide on which task to complete first you will get it done well and be motivated to carry on to the next task. Holding yourself accountable is an action you must take. Don’t be the person waiting for something to happen but be someone who gets tasks done. Actions like this will also motivate and drive other employees to act similarly.

Steps you can take now

Restart

if the thought of going into your office makes you shudder because of how unorganized it feels then your first step is going to be to restart. To begin a new habit of becoming proactive in keeping your desk clean, you need to begin with it clean. Spending a day tidying up and reorganizing the files and papers is worth it when you remind yourself after this you won’t have to do it again. You can also use this opportunity to rearrange your workplace in a way that you think might suit you more, you may even consider finding a new office space. Working in a new area might create more motivation since you will be viewing a different perspective. If you stay proactive about keeping your office organized, this will be the last time you spend hours tidying up.

Create more storage space

After completing the first step you should have cleared out some drawers, cabinets, and files. This has already increased your available storage space. In order to keep your desk clutter-free, you must use your storage space to the biggest advantage. If you would like to invest, you can purchase storage boxes place old files that you still need.

Keep essentials items close

Everyone wishes for a clean and organized desk. The best way to achieve this is to minimize. You should aim to identify the tools you need most to complete your work on a day-to-day basis. These items should be the ones that are kept on your desk. Any item that will be redundant or isn’t needed most of the time should be kept in a drawer or separate cabinet in order not to create clutter.

Create work zones

If your office is spacious enough you should consider creating work zones, this will minimize work that is done at your desk. An option would be if you have a chair or sofa next to a coffee table. This could be assigned as the area to look over paperwork and do some reading. One section or side of your office could be where you keep all of your supplies. This section should preferably have a closet or shelving space to help you stay organized. Once you end up creating these work zones and using them, they will eventually become a habit. You will find your office will be neater because you are not doing all of your work in one space.

Find a filing system that you like

If you are someone that doesn’t have to do any filing for your job you are in luck. Yes, filing is extremely tedious but thankfully we live in an age where a lot of things are online. The main filing we need to worry about is all of the paperwork – this still needs to be organized efficiently. It is useful to research different types of filing systems that will be most helpful to you. If you are lucky and you don’t need to file paperwork, but need to keep track of digital documents, make sure you develop an easy-to-use system so you won’t lose important documents.

And if all this does not help and you want to find a new office you can start from scratch with, contact us and we can help.

4 Tips to Collect Past Due Receivables

Past Due Receivables Are Frustrating For Business Owners

For every business to operate efficiently, a consistent cash flow is very important. When there are many bills that are past the due date, trying to collect all the payments can be frustrating. As it is a very time-consuming procedure, many business owners don’t put in effort in the collection of receivable bills until they are way passed the due date. Sometimes, they even write it off as uncollected without making any effort to collect. This can cause serious problems in the company’s profits and cash flow.

Here are four tips that can help you as a business owner to collect past due receivables.

Hire Debt Recovery Services

This is a proactive step to ensuring that the payments are done on time regardless of the deadlines, amounts owed, and payment methods. When you hire business debt recovery services, it is then their work to collect past due receivables on your behalf. There is a percentage charged as a fee that is determined by the amount of the debt. For example, if you have a debt of 1000 that is not paid by a client, then the debt collection company will pay you 800 and collect 1000 from your client.

Proactive Collection Staff

Make sure your staff or you are proactive in invoicing to collect past due receivables. You can inform your clients in advance what the payment policy and terms are. Do not wait for the bills to go past the date before reminding the client that he needs to pay the due. Send weekly updates to clients whose payments are nearing the due date. Implementing a debt collection accounting software will be a helpful tool to remind you of the debts and keep track of all clients

Offer A Discount

Sometimes even a small discount can encouraged making payments to you. Offer the clients or customers a 2 to 3 percent discount if they pay within one week as compared to 30 days or the due date. However, if you are in the type of industry where your profit margins are very low then this discount could be a lot of money. If your business can afford it then offering a discount on early payment can boost cash flow.

Propose Payment Plans

Sometimes the clients themselves are in a bad financial situation and will inform you that they cannot pay the past due receivables. Consider offering them a flexible payment plan. This will be helpful for the clients and also build loyalty in the long term. Assure that the new terms of payment are in writing and detailed so the client knows how they have to pay and when. Writing off the debt will be more expensive to you, so it is better to offer a flexible plan. This way you are at least assured that the money will be returned eventually.

These tips can help you collect past due receivablesmaintain the cash flow in your business. To make sure that it remains consistent, consider on-the-spot cash payments for your services or products. If that is not possible, then you must be proactively involved in the collection process from the beginning itself. This will save you a lot of stress in the future when you do have a cash flow problem but your funds are stuck.

And if you are looking for a workplace 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.

Useful Office Cleaning Tips To Protect Your Employees

Workplace cleanliness is an indispensable measure that must be observed in any organization or industry. Cleanliness is not only essential in factories, processing plants, and laboratories but also the public and private offices. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic a year ago has taught organizations the significance of safeguarding the health of employees and gave a harsh reminder of never taking health and sanitation protocols for granted.

To help protect one of the most important assets – the employees – in a business organization, we will share some office office cleaning tips to keep them safe and in good health.

Hire Commercial Cleaning Services

Hiring professionals, commercial or office cleaning services, will help you to regularly maintain the cleanliness in your workplace. Cleaning service professionals are trained and well-versed in performing cleaning tasks inside and outside the office building. They have specialized equipment and cleaning materials that can efficiently clean areas that need disinfection and regular sanitation.

Australia is an excellent example of a country where cleanliness is valued in the workplace. In various cities in the country, you will be able to find several office or commercial cleaning service companies. Their services are not just land-based, but they have made their presence online as well, where you can click the link to find out more about the best cleaning services available in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and other cities in Australia. The importance Australians place on workplace cleanliness is one of the reasons that helped stem the spread of COVID-19 in the country. In other countries, more industries and businesses are appreciating the essential services of office cleaners.

Invest in More Trash Receptacles in the Workplace

Offices often tend to get messy when the work area doesn’t have enough garbage bins to throw food and office wastes in. By assigning specific bays, quadrants, or locations where you can place trash bins closer to the reach of employees. You help promote cleanliness in the office by sending a strong message of proper waste disposal.

Place Visual Cleanliness Reminders in the Office

Visual cues and reminders are also effective in reinforcing the practice of cleanliness in every employee. Guide employees with visual signs on where to put their trash, emphasize the importance of three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), or remind them to be considerate of others when using shared utilities like toilets, pantries, lounges, sleeping quarters, or cubicles (for those working in shift rotations) by cleaning them. Promoting personal hygiene and cleanliness is also an essential reminder, now that the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet dissipated.

Arrange for Regular Deep Cleaning and Disinfection Schedules

This arrangement should remain in place even if the pandemic eventually dies down. If your business already has deep cleaning and disinfection schedules before the pandemic, then you deserve a commendation for putting the safety of your employees first. You may need to set closer intervals for these specialized cleaning tasks due to the pandemic and you should keep it up for as long as your business operates within an office. For those who have not made such arrangements or those who occasionally plot deep cleaning and disinfecting schedules, it’s time to revise the program or arrangement and keep your workplace safe and clean to work in for your employees.

There are plenty of ways you can promote and enforce office cleanliness for your employees. As a wise and responsible business owner, you have to keep your employees safe, healthy and motivated to continue working and performing the best they can. Whether your business sells products or services, employees will be integral in the revenue generation and customer satisfaction in your venture. Show your employees that you care for their health and well-being by taking steps to keep office cleaning a priority and their workplace safe for them.

And if you are looking for an office that provides professional cleaning services to house your business, we can help. Our network of local tenant reps are intimately familiar with their markets and offerings and can help guide you to the perfect office for your business. Contact us today 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.

Digital Tool For Businesses to Collect Past Due Receivables

All businesses rely on their clients and customers to pay the money that they owe for purchases and services. However, this does not always happen, and many businesses end up with a high level of bad debt from those who have not paid. While businesses can and do pursue this debt, it becomes far more difficult if the debtor cannot be traced because they have skipped town. This then results in these debts being written off and companies being hit hard in terms of their finances.

Fortunately, digital technology has made life far easier for businesses looking to make the process of debt collection easier. This includes the use of skip tracing solutions, which can provide a range of information and speed up the entire process. Digital debt recovery solutions can save businesses in all sorts of industries a huge amount of time and frustration. In this article, we will look at how businesses use digital methods such as skip-tracing to help recover debts.

Digital Technology Proves Invaluable

There are many ways in which this digital technology can prove invaluable to businesses trying to trace people who owe them money. Some of the ways in which businesses use this digital method are:

Find Current Contact Details

One of the ways in which businesses use these digital solutions is to ensure they have the most updated contact details, as the ones on file are often incorrect once the person skips town. By using skip tracing, users can obtain the most current details when it comes to the person’s address, email, mobile number, and other details. With the right details available, it is possible for them to then make contact to chase the debt owed rather than having to give up and write it off.

Learn More About the Person’s Current Situation

There are times when the person’s situation may have changed, and this could have an impact on the debt owed. For instance, if the person has filed for bankruptcy, you may not be able to recover the money and can stop wasting time trying to locate and chase the debtor. If they have passed away, you will have to go down a different route to try and recover the debt. You can find out many details about the person’s current situation including whether they are deceased, have become bankrupt, and even if they are employed.

Make the Process Faster and Easier

Businesses also use modern technology to make the process of locating and recovering from debtors much easier and faster. This is important because it makes the business more efficient and means that less time and fewer resources are used on trying to find those who owe money. Being able to access a wide range of information also means that businesses stand a better chance of getting the money that is owed to them.

These are among the many reasons businesses use digital methods such as skip-tracing to try to recover the debt.

OfficeFinder not only provides assistance to businesses looking for office space, but also information that we hope can be useful in the conducting of business. If you need assistance acquiring office space, contact us today. No cost or 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.

3 Reasons Why Online Education Works Well For Employees

Take Your Business and Employees To A Whole New Level with Online Education

Developing and growing your company usually involves helping your employees grow alongside you. Which can mean giving them access to high-quality education. Today, the internet and computers have made it easy to provide the ability for everyone to have access to education no matter where you are.

Online education has become a game-changing tool for businesses and their employees. Here are three reasons why you should consider implementing Online Education with your employees.

1) Provides Your Employees With Incentive

Offering your employees the opportunity to advance their skills through free or discounted education gives them the incentive to want to do well in their position. In some cases even advance their careers. Most employees in America are unable to afford any further education and therefore will be very appreciative of the opportunity.

This education will also boost your employee’s self-esteem. They will feel needed and more equipped for their tasks going forward and will therefore result in a higher retention rate and happier employees. It is easy to find programs. As an example, a quick search at MyDegreeGuide.com will show you how easy it is to select a program suitable for your employees.

Some may worry that offering employees a way to better their skills will send them on the hunt to use those skills at a different company however, there is no data to support that statement. In fact, it’s actually the opposite. Employees are more likely to remain loyal to a company when provided with the opportunity to grow and learn for free or at a discounted rate.

2) Increases Productivity and Progress

Since the education is being offered online, the productivity and progress of your company will not be put on hold. You employees will be able to continue their work throughout the day and have time afterwards to work on their education and skills.

On average, Online Education to your staff increases productivity by at least 2%, and when the courses are specific to the company that rate increases even more. Education improves an individuals’ communication, time management, and collaboration skills which will inherently affect how well your company runs. Imagine a business full of individuals highly skilled in time management? The turnaround time would be unparalleled.

3) Increases Your Business’ Profits

If your company’s productivity is increasing it’s logical to assume that so would your profit and you are correct. Employees with a hire turnaround time as a result of proper training will bring in a revenue of up abn average of 24% more than a company that doesn’t offer their employees education.

You may be thinking about how much the cost would be to be able to offer your employees at least a discounted rate of tuition, and you’re right it will run the business a hefty amount. However, in the end, the pros outweigh the cons and you’ll be left with a stronger and healthier company. If you’re able to find the funds to do this it is highly recommended. it is a great employee benefit! Only you know what the best decision for your business and employees are, choose wisely.

And if you are looking for an office to house your well educated employees, we can help. Contact us today. Our services are free and there is no obligation. We will put you in contact with a top local tenant rep who will also help with no cost to you.

6 Office Interior Design Tips

Each year, the contemporary office setting continues to evolve. The standard office interior design setting has significantly improved from the traditional desk and chair in a confined room, to the colorful open office designs, with large glass windows and ergonomic furniture. Thanks to the continuous evolution of work offices, many companies now ensure that their interiors inspire both employees and their clients.

Your office interior design can affect how your employees perceive their work environment; many company owners consider office design to be one of the key elements for their business success. As an example, the more convenient, welcoming, and efficient your office interior design is, the more likely your clients will feel comfortable there. The same goes for employees; working in an efficient and beautiful office can help to improve their emotional and physical health, leading to improved productivity and a more positive work attitude.

Planning your office interior design should not be taken lightly. If you’re new to office designing and you don’t know where to start, here are six interior design tips that can serve as your guide throughout the designing process:

1. Plan To Maximize Space

Planning your office space is not only about décor, but also about providing enough coverage for your employees, office supplies, furniture, and clients. The more spacious your office is, the more organized it will look; a spacious office allows you to have separate areas for your employees, management and even recreation. An organized office space can also encourage an efficient workflow. When employees have enough room to complete their tasks, it can boost their productivity. Make sure your office desks, tables, and office chairs are arranged evenly throughout the space to give each employee the space they need for themselves and their office supplies. A tight budget shouldn’t be a hindrance to provide some sort of organization to your office. For instance, you can use pallets to build wooden crates as containers. That way, you still save money without sacrificing aesthetic and function.

2. Let Natural Light In

Lighting plays an essential role in achieving an efficient and appealing interior office design. The best lighting you can use for your office is natural light, thus, it’s vital that you make smart choices for your office blinds. Some blinds tend to limit your access to natural light, while others, such as semitransparent blinds, can maximize natural light usage by letting more in. You can browse reputable interior designers such as Orla Kiely Interior Designs for more inspiration about which type of office blind is suitable for the space you’ll be working with. The more daylight exposure you can provide in your office, the more chances it will increase your employees’ productivity. Daylight has been known to boost people’s mood, helping them to have a positive work attitude, and using natural light can also enhance your office interior design, making it livelier and more welcoming.

3. Incorporate Your Company’s Identity

Now that you’ve planned out your office layout and how you’re going to maximize the natural light, it’s time to think of ideas for designing your office’s theme and decor. The first thing you need to consider before settling on a design concept is your company’s identity, ask yourself how you want people to perceive your office when they first step inside. If your company is related to the fashion industry, it may be best to plan your office interiors to include recognizable elements of this. You can use colorful walls, prints, and accented furniture to convey that this office is all about fashion and make a statement through styles and colors. Meanwhile, if your company is in line with the law, finance, or marketing industries, it may be best if your office design is more formal and used muted tones to make sure that it conveys a serious and trustworthy business image.

4. Invest In Good Furniture

In designing your office interior, don’t forget to consider your employees’ well-being, the best way to do this is by investing in good quality furniture. Generally, people working in offices spend around eight hours per day sitting at their desks, it’s very common for office workers to complain about back and neck pains due to this, if their workstations are not designed effectively. The best way to prevent injury and strain on your employees is to provide them comfortable and ergonomic chairs and desks to support their body and reduce eye strain. Not only will the right furniture help them work comfortably, it could also have a big impact on their productivity.

5. Choose Colors Wisely

Your chosen colors can significantly impact how people feel in the office setting, so it’s essential that you choose them wisely. One way to choose the right colors is by using color psychology. Some studies have shown that colors may have the power to affect people’s mood, for instance, if you use blue for your office walls, it can convey a calming and peaceful vibe for the employees and clients. By contrast, if you choose to use red on your walls, it can give out an energetic vibe. Do your research and make sure you pick colors that align with your brand, while projecting the kind of energy you want in your office.

6. Create Collaborative Spaces

It’s common for offices to host corporate meetings and client collaborations, when designing your office, make sure you set aside an area intended for these types of gatherings. An office interior designer can help you create an innovative layout that can maximize the floor space available to you, without feeling cramped. Moreover, you can optimize your office space layout by creating a multipurpose area, aside from being a meeting room, you can also use this for events and other company functions. When planning the décor for a multipurpose area, consider including round meeting tables, corkboard panels, whiteboards, and other materials required for business meetings or presentations.

Office Interior Design Takeaways

Traditional office interior design has come a long way from dim cubicles, to more flexible office spaces that cater for efficiency, convenience and design.

Don’t forget to incorporate these tips mentioned above, to help you create an appealing and efficient interior office design that both your employees and clients will love. Be creative and start planning your layout today!

We can help you find the office with just the right design for you, whether conventional or flexible space, we can help. Contact us today for a no-obligation discussion on how one of our local tenant representatives can help.

4 Reasons To Support Employee Continuing Education

Why Is Employee Continuing Education Important?

Learning is a vital factor for human development in general. With new and improved information coming in regularly, education has become an ongoing activity. Employees need to stay up to date with the latest development, enhanced skills, and well versed with the latest technology to match the constant change in industries.

In many professions, employee continuing education is mandatory. For example, a doctor has to learn new treatments introduced to better support their patients, just like a lawyer needs to be updated on a country’s laws as the country progresses.

A false belief that trained employees change their jobs for better opportunities has held back many employers from offering this continuous education option. Contrary to this belief, when employees feel more appreciated and taken care of by their investment, they tend to be more loyal to employers. Progress and growth in job profiles tend to be among the top five motivational factors for employee retention.

Let’s take a look at the top four reasons employers should consider Employee Continuing Education:

1. Employees feel appreciated and are happier

With today’s competitive market, an employee enhanced with more skills and knowledge provides them with security. Security of jobs motivates them to stay on their current job and work productively. Online education, like at Degree Planet can help employees learn at their own pace and perform better at work. It is always better to train and invest in a current employee rather than finding new ones.

2. Better Performance Boosts Overall Morale

Every employee aims at pleasing their management with their excellent performance. With continuous education, they can learn to perform tasks in a much more productive way. This boosts the morale of the employee as he can perform more efficiently and the performance of the business. A competitive advantage to better problem-solving skills and technical skills creates a win-win situation for both the employee and the company.

3. Increases Company’s Profits

Every business aims at making more profits. It is a no-brainer that efficient employees are better able to help a company make more profits. Therefore, training and educating employees will show a higher margin of profit for businesses than those who don’t train them. Though investing in employees may come across as a cost, it is a good investment that pays off in the future.

4. Creates A Learning Culture

Adopting a learning culture at the workplace where everyone understands the value of training and development through continuous education creates the right pulse for all employees. A team that is continually improving its performance creates a positive environment too. Being stuck with old and traditional methods with no motivation to improve can make employees feel frustrated and unhappy at their jobs. Easing their job difficulties by providing education programs will help them realize that a learning culture is good.

Employee Continuing Education For A Better Future

With so many improved and enhanced forms of education available now, the earning process has become more flexible and can accommodate all work schedules. Learning can now take place online or even in the workplace. Continuously education can boost confidence in your employees and help them also to have advanced career options.

Happy and satisfied employees have set many examples of a sound and flourishing business. Isn’t it time for you to start considering your business’s growth by enhancing your best asset, your employees?

And if you are looking for office space, we can help with our network of local tenant reps. Contact us today for mor information on how we can help. No cost or obligation.