Category Archives: Employee engagement

5 Methods To Improve Productivity at the Office

Productivity is a huge factor in workplace success, and it can be difficult to maintain a high level of productivity. Luckily, there are many methods that can help you improve productivity at work. Some of these include setting deadlines for tasks, blocking time to complete those tasks, and creating a workspace that is conducive to being productive. If you’re really having trouble being productive at work, try thinking about what it is that blocks your productivity, and then try to figure out a way around it! This article will explain some great methods that can help you increase your productivity at work.

There Are Technology-Based Methods to Improve Productivity

There are many technology-based methods that can help you increase productivity. For example, apps are available for your phone or computer that have timers on them which you can use throughout the day to track how much time you spend working on tasks. Apps like this are great because they allow you to set goals for yourself. Other types of apps allow you to block social media sites for a set amount of time so that you can focus on completing tasks. You can also find different software solutions for hand-off time allocation and inter-connection between teams. These are just a few examples of how technology can help improve your productivity at work.

Ask Employees What They Need to Improve Productivity

One great way to make a more productive environment at work is asking your employees what they think will help. Some good ways of increasing productivity among your team include creating a working environment that is conducive to productivity (e.g. minimizing distractions) and encouraging team members to communicate with each other about their status on projects. Other ways to improve productivity among your employees include setting a good example by being productive yourself and making sure they have access to the necessary tools for completing tasks. All of these strategies can be implemented at your job, and they all have the potential to increase productivity in a positive way.

Consider Implementing Remote Work

If you can, consider implementing remote work at your company. The ability to telecommute has the potential to decrease stress among workers and increase productivity. Not only this, but it also saves companies money by allowing employees to work from home. There are many systems that will make remote work easier, including board meetings or video chats that include a whiteboard. Other ways to work remotely would be to have a phone conference with a written transcript or even just email documents back and forth. All of these options are available for employees that want to work from home, and they can all improve productivity at your company.

Write Down Daily Tasks and Prioritize Them

One great method for improving productivity at work is to write down any and all daily tasks that you can think of. Not only will this help prevent you from forgetting tasks, but it also allows you to prioritize them into an order of importance. If there are many different things on your to-do list, start with the most important task first and then move on to the easier or more enjoyable tasks later. This will help you stay productive throughout the day, and it will prevent you from wasting time on easy but unnecessary tasks. Additionally, if you have a bad habit of procrastinating on your work, this method is a great way to get around that problem.

Relax More

This may sound crazy, but one of the best ways to increase productivity is to relax more. Taking breaks throughout the day has been shown to improve mental health among workers and make them feel better while performing their work. This means that if you take a break after working hard on a task for an hour, you’ll likely return feeling refreshed and ready to finish it up. Not only this, but taking breaks also prevents mental burnout and allows you to enter your work with a clear mind. To make sure you don’t waste time on social media or watching too much TV while relaxing, you can use the Pomodoro technique. This method involves working on a task for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. Repeat this process throughout the day, and not only will your productivity at work increase, but you’ll also feel great about yourself whenever you get back to work!

If you’re struggling with productivity at work, it may be due to a lack of organization or an inability to focus on the right tasks. Luckily there are many strategies to improve productivity – from setting deadlines and choosing what tasks matter most to taking more breaks throughout the day. We hope this article has helped you,

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8 Ways To Ensure Peak Efficiency In The Office

In any workplace, it’s crucial to maintain peak efficiency at all times. Always remember that productivity depends on efficiency. When you have an inefficient workspace, it’ll take your employees a long time to finish tasks, and the productivity level drops. A good work environment will allow your employees to tackle tasks relatively faster.

Implementing small changes to habits and incorporating the right tools can help improve efficiency and productivity in the workplace. If you want to increase the efficiency in the office effectively, here are several ways to make it happen soon:

1. Follow A Simple Schedule

One of the ways to boost efficiency in the workplace is to make improvements with the scheduling.

The initial task is to streamline the work schedule by utilizing an application that works best for the specific needs of your business, especially those with alerts and notifications. Look for one that allows push notifications to remind employees when they have scheduled tasks.

2. Set Realistic Goals And Offer Support

One of the common issues among managers in the workplace is not providing a clear sense of whether or not the performance of their employees is good or not.

It might be necessary to provide your employees with an incentive to keep up with their tasks. A good approach is to provide clear directions to help clarify expectations or concerns. Doing so will improve their productivity since they have clear objectives to focus on.

3. Provide The Right Tools

One way to improve the efficiency in the office is providing the right tools so your employees can perform their duties on time and efficiently. It might be best to ask your employees if they need specific tools that could help. If workable, implement the necessary tools into the workflow. Doing so will avoid any frustration among your employees when doing their tasks.

Today, several modern programs, applications, services, and tools impart significant improvement in the workplace, but also in the reputation of your business. A good example is an online fax service.

An online fax service will make it convenient to send and receive faxes. It involves sending documents electronically with the help of the Internet. The service is an excellent upgrade to the physical fax machine that takes up space and requires maintenance.

An online fax service will also come in handy if you’re out in the field and need to send documents. By searching using keywords like ‘fax near me‘ using your mobile phone, you’re likely to get a list of online fax services.

4. Deal With Disruptions In The Workflow

When your business operations frequently experience disruptions to the workflow, productivity can be affected. Generally, a disruption can range from data overload, a department with poor performance, or hardware problems. Make it a priority to deal with these disruptions immediately.

5. Delegate The Tasks

Once you decide to delegate tasks, it’s a good step in boosting efficiency and productivity. When delegating, avoid hastily giving away tasks, especially to those who lack the skills and knowledge. Before delegating, you need to determine individual strengths and assign the tasks accordingly to your employees.

6. Provide A Conducive Work Environment

A good work environment has a positive effect on the workplace. When your employees work in warm conditions with a cluttered desk, it can significantly affect their efficiency.

An environment that’s too cold or hot can be a distraction, urging your employees to walk around or find ways for their bodies to adjust. One improvement to the workplace environment is to ensure both air conditioning and heating systems are functional throughout the year.

Additionally, you also need to provide a clean work environment since clutter can be a distraction. In the long run, you’ll have happier and satisfied employees.

7. Avoid Micromanaging

If you’re micromanaging, you make your employees feel incompetent with their assigned tasks. Once you delegate the tasks, avoid the urge to micromanage.

Remember that it can negatively affect their confidence, resulting in poor efficiency and productivity. Your employees will greatly appreciate the autonomy and often show more initiative if you don’t micromanage.

8. Minimize Distractions

In almost any workplace, various types of distractions can negatively affect efficiency. One of the culprits is social media, which can lower the productivity level.

Although it’s impossible to implement a no-phone policy, it might be best to keep your employees focused and engaged with their tasks, while allowing enough breathing room.

Encourage your employees to turn off their mobile phones or mute the notifications during working hours, but take regular breaks to check on their phones. This approach ensures that the time they spend in the office is more productive.

Conclusion

Maintaining a good work culture and environment is crucial in maintaining a peak efficiency level and boosting office productivity.

If your business is starting to show lags in productivity, it might be time to consider making adjustments. Implementing these practical measures in improving the office environment will add an excellent boost in efficiency.

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What Can HR Leaders Do to Effectively Improve Employee Retention?

Many companies are struggling to retain employees. Some estimate that, on average, it costs 2 to 3 times as much money to find and train a new employee as it does to keep an existing one. It’s important for HR leaders in the workspace with high turnover rates and low retention rates to take steps now which will help them improve their employee retention.

HR leaders have many tools at their disposal, some more obvious than others, which enable them to positively impact employee retention rates by influencing both the company culture and individual experiences of employees within the organization. By doing so these professionals can create a culture where people want not only to work but also stay with the company for years or decades rather than just months or years. This article will provide tips for how HR leaders can improve employee retention.

Provide Clarity on Organizational and Individual Goals

A detailed sense of direction in daily tasks helps employees focus and remain engaged at work. And engagement in itself is a crucial component for an effective employee retention strategy. HR leaders should help employees find that clarity in their everyday routine.

Organizations should establish guidelines and goals with their employees, whether it is for the day or for a specific project. Furthermore, HR leaders can address clarity of roles and expectations by providing training and development opportunities to help ensure that all employees feel they are growing within their position; this enables them to see value in their time with the company and inspire them to want to stay with the organization.

Implement Continuous Performance Feedback

In order to improve employee retention rates, it is crucial to implement a thorough system of performance feedback. This helps employees continuously add value and feel satisfied, contributing to the success of their team, company, and themselves. The focus on continuous feedback should start from an individual’s first day at work, where HR leaders can ensure that managers have the tools and resources needed to help people understand their tasks and areas for improvement. Using HRIS can help leaders manage that aspect. This will help keep employees engaged with the company, feeling responsible for their own progress, while developing new skills that can increase their value within the organization.

Another element of performance feedback is to make sure managers are not only asking for input from employees but also listening; this way they can make any adjustments needed to improve employees’ satisfaction with their jobs. By encouraging open communication, HR leaders can decrease the number of stress employees face, which contributes to increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover rates.

Focus on Strategies for Organizational Success

An effective employee retention strategy should involve an employer’s employees and address their concerns, ideas, and opinions about their own professional development. It is also essential that HR leaders understand what motivates employees and create incentives that allow people within the company to be inspired by a sense of purpose. HR leaders need to have the organizational skills and the ability to identify common threads within an organization’s workforce so that they can build on them for success. For example, if employees consistently seek out feedback from managers, then this iterative process should be encouraged by HR leaders through structured evaluation processes or informal daily interactions.

Create Opportunities for Professional Development

An organization’s culture should inspire people to want to stay with the company. Create this environment by providing opportunities for employees to develop themselves both personally and professionally; these might include learning opportunities (e.g., mentoring), skill development, social events (e.g., team building), etc. By doing so, employees can stay motivated, increasing their satisfaction with the company.

Another way to help build professional development opportunities is to offer both formal and informal coaching programs to employees at all levels of an organization; this depends on each individual’s needs within a given time frame. Furthermore, providing feedback for managers sets expectations for how employees should be managed while helping individuals determine whether or not they should continue to invest their time and energy in a particular position.

Create an Engaging Work Environment

Offering free food, casual dress days, and flexible hours are easy ways to make an organization more appealing. However, HR leaders should also look beyond these basic perks and create meaningful engagement opportunities to boost productivity. Additionally, creating a supportive work culture by offering feedback and communicating honestly helps employees remain motivated and feel valued within the company.

HR leaders should also offer opportunities for employees to find a sense of purpose in their work, whether this means being able to help customers, having a positive impact on the environment, or building up to something from nothing. It is important that employees see how they fit into the big picture in order to feel more engaged in their work and excited about what differentiates a company from the competition.

Stick With Remote Work Options

As more companies are turning to remote work options, HR leaders should make sure that this is an option for everyone. Not only does it allow people the flexibility to manage their time in a way that is most efficient for them, but working outside of the office also gives employees another sense of autonomy, which can help boost job satisfaction and decrease turnover rates.

HR leaders should also encourage employees to use the same policies and procedures that are used in their physical locations for remote work options, such as having a clearly defined procedure for what happens when people are on vacation or need time off. Furthermore, by giving employees the opportunity to easily share documents with each other remotely (e.g. through Google Drive). HR leaders can encourage collaboration outside of the office and keep people working as a team even when they are not in the same place.

Be Competitive With Compensation Packages

While it may seem counterintuitive to use compensation packages as a way to increase employee retention, offering competitive benefits can help set an organization apart from the competition. By making sure that all employees are receiving adequate salaries and have access to top health care plans, HR leaders can ensure that employees feel valued within their company while also providing incentives for people to stay instead of looking for a new job.

Even though it may not always be possible to offer the same benefits as smaller companies, HR leaders can still have an impact on employee retention by making sure employees at all levels are being compensated adequately and have access to the same top-of-the-line opportunities.

In today’s ever-changing world, it is essential for organizations to have the ability to provide employees with new opportunities and ways to learn. By creating a culture that supports learning and development, HR leaders can instill a sense of security in employees and reduce turnover rates.

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Improving Your Employees Health (Part 1)

Sitting for long periods has been proved to be detrimental to one’s overall health. It has been linked to an increased risk of high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, hazardous blood glucose levels, sluggish blood circulation, colon cancer, obesity, lower back discomfort, cardiovascular illness, and even mortality. Given this information, it seems that standing or being active rather than sitting all day would be beneficial to your health. For many office workers, sitting all day is the only choice. How do you try to reduce these health concerns in the office in these situations? Ergonomic workstations are the answer. An ergonomic chair is tailored to a person’s size, workstation, and the jobs they perform. They provide more support and adjustability than traditional ones. The height, seat tilt, backrest tilt, backrest depth, and synchronization of the seat and backrest of a good ergonomic chair should all be adjustable. Here are some of the health benefits of using ergonomic workstations.

A Solution To Restlessness And Aching Legs

The most difficult challenge for most employees is typically the restlessness that comes with long days at the office. This stress is both emotional and physical, and it is generally caused by poor blood circulation and leg pains that make you want to move. Sitting is a constricting and unfavorable position that restricts blood flow. It prevents nutrition and oxygen from reaching the body’s essential organs and muscles, decreasing attentiveness and raising your risk of blood clots, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Employ the usage of a desk foot stool to avoid these issues. In addition to promoting circulation, a tiny footrest makes proper chair posture simpler and retains one’s seating position. For people of shorter stature, a chair may not be low enough to allow the legs to make stable, comfortable contact with the floor. A footrest is handy for people who are shorter than average. An ergonomic footrest helps keep the body in a good posture and stops the legs from dangling awkwardly. Leg discomfort, stiffness, and the development of varicose veins or blood clots are reduced when blood flow and circulation improve.

Prevents Neck Pain

Neck muscles are subjected to severe tension throughout the weekday. This strain can cause severe neck and shoulder discomfort, as well as cartilage loss between the vertebrae. An office desk chair with a decent headrest can assist support and place the head appropriately throughout the day. Headrests from outlets like Everlasting Comfort assist in relieving pressure on the muscles most impacted by the continual immobility required by computer work. The flexibility to adjust the headrest is critical for ensuring that all users are in the best possible working posture. Neck discomfort can also be relieved by raising monitors to just above eye level and rotating the neck around a bit every hour. Small head exercises and stretching the muscles and ligaments can help increase the range of motion in the neck. A healthy workstyle necessitates keeping the neck and shoulders engaged.

Your Employees Will Benefit From The Spinal Support

The pillar that supports your head and upper torso is your spine. This spinal column, a part shock absorber, and motor neuron highway must be maintained and sustained for long periods. The muscles that support the upper body might be worn down if you sit slouched or hunched over. To compensate for the imbalance, pressure is applied to the spine, compressing nerves and producing back discomfort. Tough and painful knots, as well as decreased mobility, are the result of poor spinal alignment. A well-designed ergonomic chair from a dealer like Everlasting Comfort has a backrest that fits the user’s form. Adequate lumbar support follows the natural curve of the spine and maintains a worker’s posture. Over the day, either a molded foam or mesh back will give both comfort and support. To guarantee the optimal ergonomic working position, height tilt adjustment and a seat sliding feature are essential. The ability to adjust the back of a work chair will benefit the user’s long-term physical health and productivity.

Everyone should realize that an ergonomic seat and desk foot stool isn’t the panaceas for all workplace health issues. They should be conscious of their posture when sitting, in addition to ergonomic adjustments at work. Even if you use an ergonomic chair, you will develop various issues if you recline your back. As a result, some form of physical activity or exercise is necessary.

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7 Keys to Creating a Hybrid Work Schedule

A hybrid work schedule is a work schedule that combines elements of a compressed workweek, remote work and flextime. Typically, in a compressed workweek employees will have some long days where they come to the office for a set number of hours and then leave early on other days to make up the difference and then work remotely other times. The combination of these methods can increase productivity and morale, reduce employees’ work-related stress, and decrease absenteeism. It is also known as an agile workplace.

However, implementing a hybrid schedule is not an easy task. It will take careful planning to make the transition as smooth as possible for both managers and employees. This article provides 7 tips on how to successfully implement a hybrid work schedule.

1. Communicate

It is essential to go over the new policy with all employees before it goes into effect. This way they can ask any questions and voice their concerns. To ease employees’ worries about how this will impact their schedules or other aspects of their jobs discuss hypothetical examples that explain how the schedule will work and share success stories of other companies that have successfully implemented a hybrid work schedule in their workplace. This way employees will understand exactly how this change will affect them and they can feel confident that their concerns have been addressed.

2. Identify scheduling and moral issues

A survey should be distributed to employees asking them about their concerns and ideas for the new policy. If possible, it would also help to gather feedback from managers as well. Look at how employees currently spend their time and identify any scheduling issues that may arise. For example, employees may be worried about how they will get projects done if they are expected to work 50 hours in four days instead of 40 hours over five days. Morale also needs to be considered. Employees who feel like their work schedule has become more flexible and fair are going to have a greater commitment to the company.

3. Create a detailed proposal

Once you have gathered all of this feedback, it’s time to create an official proposal with details on how the new policy will be implemented. Articulate precisely what the compressed workweek portion of the policy entails and present any rules that apply to employees who choose to take advantage of flextime. Also, be specific about which jobs qualify for the compressed workweek or remote working and how much time employees have to take advantage of it.

4. Include management training

If managers are expected to complete their regular duties during the hours when most employees are at home there needs to be proper training in place so they can manage these responsibilities effectively. Managers will also need to be properly trained in the concept of a flexible workplace if they are expected to supervise employees whose schedules differ significantly from their own. Also, if employees are working different hours from their managers they may have trouble communicating or sharing information. Proper training in collaboration and communication will help integrate these teams into a productive, well-oiled machine.

5. Provide support for shift workers

If shift workers are included in the new policy they should have two weeks to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not they want to participate. Since there may be scheduling conflicts with their outside commitments, this period will allow them to work it out and give them ample opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions. Allowing some lead time before launch will also help management identify potential problems that may require more thought before the policy goes into effect.

6. Launch gradually

Although it may seem like implementing a new policy overnight will prevent further complications, launching the policy too quickly will only cause issues that can potentially delay or derail the change. Before choosing this route, consider how much time you need to launch properly and present this method as an alternative to your employees. If they are concerned about lack of preparation, ask them to help you brainstorm ways the change can be successfully implemented. The more input your employees have the better.

7. Train employees for success

Change can be difficult and it is important to encourage employees who will soon begin working a hybrid schedule to have realistic expectations. The new policy should provide them with social support from coworkers, supervisors, and human resources so they know they are not going through this alone. If everything has been done correctly the transition to a hybrid workweek should be a smooth one that both managers and employees are happy with.

It is important to remember that the goal of an agile workplace is to better accommodate employees’ needs and provide them with more growth opportunities. It can be difficult to change company policy, but organizations should remain open-minded about new ways to boost their business performance. Following these tips will help managers ensure that their employees are satisfied and respected under a new policy like the hybrid workweek.

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How to Easily Transition Employees Back to the Office

You’re not alone if you’re worried about how your team will handle the move back tothe office to whatever sort of in-person work your company plans. Most employees, you’ve already seen, don’t want to go back to whatever normal looked like before the outbreak.

According to a recent Harvard Business School survey of 1,500 employees, 81 percent of them either don’t want to come back to the office or prefer a hybrid work paradigm. Of them, 27 percent want to work from home full-time, while 61 percent want to work from home two to three days a week. Only 18 percent want to return to full-time in-person work.

While those percentages may vary depending on your team, it’s safe to assume that the vast majority of your employees will be disappointed when your company reveals its plans for a return to work.

So, how can you keep your staff motivated and engaged during a corporate transition as a leader? Of course, part of that will be dictated by factors outside your control, such as the level of flexibility provided by your employer.

Employees will be less resistant to the move back to the office if they have greater control over their work structure. Setting aside the things you can’t control, there are a few things you can do to make the transition to whatever your company’s version of “next” looks like easier for everyone.

1. Be open without appearing to be a victim

When you can’t provide employees with the level of flexibility they expect, listen to their concerns and disappointments with empathy. Make as much information regarding the organization’s logic for the policies in place as possible.

Never say something like, “I’m sorry, but it’s out of my control,” as this shows weakness and defensiveness, which will likely irritate them even more. Early on, bring up any issues you have and convey them regularly.

People will assume you know more about new regulations and protocols than you do, and you may be asked questions for which you have no satisfactory answer. Learning to respond honestly will be crucial to demonstrating excellent leadership.

Inform them ahead of time about any impending changes you learn about, and let them know what you’re doing to keep them informed. You may help ensure that others’ expectations don’t become roadblocks in an already difficult shift by successfully managing their expectations.

2. Documentation

There will almost certainly be a lot to keep staff up to date on when they return to work. In reaction to lost revenue, new office regulations regarding health and hygiene may have been created, new programs may have been implemented, and bonuses and incentives may have been updated.

Each and every returning employee should be given documentation on any office changes, and if there are a lot, you might want to prepare a packet and keep it on each person’s desk. Even if they are receiving digital pay statements, it is a good idea to include a YTD paystub in the package. YTD stands for year to date. This will help the individual to reorient themselves to the new normal and assess their personal progress so far this year and make it easier for them to create a pay stub.

3. Involve the team in balancing the requirements of individuals and the collective.

If you have some control over how WFH regulations are implemented on your team, you’ll need to figure out how to apply those principles to specific situations without being unjust to others. After being apart for so long, it’s critical to reestablish cohesion, so you don’t want to start with some people feeling resentful of the flexibility you provide others but not them.

Engage your staff in determining how to best use the discretion you’ve been given wherever possible. Allow each member to voice their requirements and preferences, and then charge the team with balancing them within the parameters set. Single parents, for example, may have different flexibility requirements than those caring for aging parents. When it is their decision to do so, people will be more flexible, even sacrificing, for the sake of the team.

Encourage the team to develop new work practices that everyone follows for both where and when work is done. Ensure that all meetings, for example, have video links so that individuals working from home can participate equally.

Set specific work hours, such as 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET, during which everyone must be available online, as well as weekend boundaries during which everyone is expected to be offline. If you’re having a large meeting, have everyone attend from their computer, whether they’re at home or at work, so no one feels left out.

People will be significantly more dedicated to the solutions they help build, and the creativity they demonstrate may energize and generate excitement for the transition, alleviating whatever anxiety they may be feeling.

4. Allow people to grieve in their own time.

Regardless of the level of flexibility you provide, the transfer from WFH may signify more than just a loss of control over their time for individuals. Some folks were bereaved by Covid-19 but never had the opportunity to say their final goodbyes. Others renewed their relationships with their spouses and reached new levels of intimacy with their children.

Others have created personal routines that will be interrupted as a result of the changes. Allow individuals to grieve the loss of whatever this past season has meant for them, no matter how good “next” may be. Some people may appear to be unusually silent. Others are a little terse.

Some people may become teary-eyed when a coworker recalls their family. If you give folks the opportunity to let go of the last 18 months, they’ll be more able to embrace the new normal you’re encouraging them to help build.

5. Bring all of the pandemic stories together in one place.

While the pandemic’s horrors cannot be overstated, there were some unexpected benefits and lessons for many. As dinner tables functioned as classrooms and workplaces, there were WFH blunders with video cameras and kitchen pandemonium.

Unexpected revelations of personal resilience and inventiveness, as well as revelations of personal limitations, necessitated the development of self-compassion. One of the organizations with which I work is throwing a “return-to-next” reentry party, at which each team member will build a digital scrapbook of their favorite pandemic experiences.

You can assist your team see each other in a new perspective by sharing aspects of the past 18 months that they encountered while separated. We will not be the same people we were 18 months ago. Creating a unique experience to uncover who you each became will renew your team’s relationships while reinvigorating your excitement for the future.

6. Be a source of happiness.

Creating a sense of lightheartedness for your team is one of the finest methods to alleviate any angst they may be experiencing. There are certain aspects of working life that individuals miss: routines that your team liked, festivities that were halted, and opportunities to go off camera and feel less isolated.

According to a PwC report from June 2020, 50% of employees believe that teamwork and relationship building are better in person. Assist folks in seeing how you’ll be able to reestablish those things once everyone has returned. Humor, when utilized properly, may be very beneficial in bringing delight to others.

Share your own tales of WFH mayhem to encourage others to do the same. This is an especially opportune opportunity for you, as the team’s leader, to demonstrate servanthood by doing all you can to personally ease the transition for team members who may find it tough. Demonstrating true support today will strengthen the team’s loyalty and commitment to one another, as well as to your performance goals for the year. This way you mill some high income skills as a team leader.

If the move to WFH wasn’t difficult enough, returning to the office could be even more challenging. Our minds will be searching for familiar routines to “return” to, but they will not exist. Our brains will have to devote extra energy to adjust on the go if this happens.

This transition will encourage us all to bring our best selves back to work and demonstrate how the pandemic has strengthened us. Knowing this, your job as the team’s leader is critical in assisting people in navigating this with optimism, kindness, and patience in order to ensure that those are the versions that come up.

And if you are looking for an office for your employees to return to, we can help! Our local reps know the market, know the landlords and know who takes care of their buildings. Contact us if we can help! No obligation.

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.

Ways Businesses Reap Benefits of CPD

Optimal growth is the goal of everyone, and this applies to both personal and professional situations. For example, in a professional position, employees use continual professional development (CPD) to improve their skills and contribute to their growth.

The best benefits of continuing professional development are seen in employees within a shared office environment. Teamwork, common vision, excellent company culture are just a few of the perks enjoyed by businesses applying CPD.

What is CPD?

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development, and it refers to the learning activities that professionals engage in to improve and grow their skills.

CPD also refers to any activity that allows employees to learn and grow. It takes the form of e-learning, case talks, and reading, but it may also take the form of exchanging information and difficulties with coworkers, especially in a shared office space.

Types of CPD Training

There are a variety of activities that employees may do to earn CPD points each year.

When it comes to auditing, the CPD points your workers acquire, keep in mind that they must be relevant to their present job or future career goals in the firm.

The following are some examples; however, they are not exhaustive:

Work-based education
Secondments
Being coached or mentored, as well as being coached or mentored
Online education
Courses of instruction
Providing training
Additional academic or professional credentials
Research

Benefits of CPD

CPD benefits may be viewed from two perspectives: the employees and the employers.

Employees CPD benefits

Employees that enroll in CPD courses have the following benefits

Up to date with peers in the same field’s qualifications
Maintaining and improving knowledge and abilities to provide a high-quality service
Updated with the latest trends.
A better understanding of the consequences of the job
Within their career, they may contribute to the advancement of knowledge and technology.
Employee access to specialists in several disciplines.
Possibility of boosting their public confidence in a professional or a group of professionals

Employers CPD benefits

Employers that encourage or even provide CPD courses for their staff enjoy the following benefits.

Allowing time off for CPD might help the company save money on training.

Professional organizations give some training for free, but most professionals pay for their CPD. Therefore, taking time off for suitable training might save the company money on training costs (e.g., compliance).

Companies may also generate money by having professional organizations approve their in-house training and then selling it to the rest of the world.

Supporting CPD can improve job performance.

Employees in a knowledge society must continually refresh their abilities and learn new things. CPD, according to two-thirds of respondents in a CPD Research Project, helps them do their jobs better.

CPD can motivate employees to take charge of their training and development

When people want to learn rather than being forced to, management becomes more straightforward. In addition, compliant staff will prove more efficient to the company when they take the initiative.

CPD may be used in HR procedures such as performance management

CPD has the potential to become a focal point for management debates. Individuals can link their growth to abilities that will help the organization achieve its goals through appraisals.

Employer sponsorship for CPD will help with recruiting.

The company will be regarded as a beautiful place to advance an employee’s career.

Better performing potential staff will apply at job interviews due to the support of the employer for CPD.

Employees that participate in regular CPD activities go above and beyond.

Supporting CPD might encourage professionals to go the extra mile for their company and their coworkers. Surprisingly, the CPD Research Project discovered a high link between valuing and pursuing CPD and going above and above at work.

The incorporation of CPD into a shared office environment yields the following benefits for business

Increased productivity
The recognition of professional standards.
Developing skill sets that enable businesses to do a broader range of tasks.
Ability to contribute to the company’s business plan’s success
Proper adaptation to change

At all levels of an organization, effective communication is critical to attaining productivity and sustaining great working relationships. CPD helps in bridging the gap in communication between employees and employers.

Employers that devote time and effort to establishing open lines of communication will quickly gain the trust of their staff, resulting in increased productivity, output, and overall morale.

Employees who communicate well with coworkers, supervisors, and customers, on the other hand, are always significant assets to a company, and it is a talent that may frequently set them apart from their competitors when looking for positions.

Companies that seek to benefit significantly from CPD training should organize CPD events or conventions that would help their staff in the shared office environment in the following way

Effective communicating entails keeping everyone up to date and never presuming that everyone has the same knowledge.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each team member
A cohesive team that strives for efficiency
Creating an atmosphere that allows colleagues to think more creatively.

CPD is a game-changer learning method that improves the efficiency and productivity of businesses by directly affecting the employee and employers.

And if you are looking for office space to house your wekk educated staff, 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!

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!

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.