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Productivity is important to any business, whatever the size. It is a measure of efficiency and can lead to increased profitability. There are several ways to maximize productivity. The starting point is creating an efficient and functional office environment. Follow our tips to get the most out of your workspace.
1. Planning It Out
As with any design, it’s always best to start with a plan. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What do you do? (What is the purpose of your business?)
- Who are you?
- What values are important to you?
- What products or services do you offer?
- What processes do you go through to create these products or services?
- Do customers and potential customers visit your office?
- How do staff use the office space?
- What do you need to run a successful business?
2. Consult Your Workforce
Before making any decisions, consult your workforce. After all, these are the people working in the office and carrying out the work. Talk to them about the office space and how it works for them. Hold a brainstorming session to outline ways it could be improved.
3. Bring In The Experts
If you have the budget, bring in a professional commercial interior design company. These are the experts in design and will build a space that combines form and functionality. They do this work day after day, and so they know what works. Let the experts design your space while you get on with what you do best.
4. Collaboration
Do your projects require collaboration? If so, take this into consideration when creating your ideal space. Provide an atmosphere where staff can work and communicate effectively. This may include:
- Well-equipped meeting rooms
- Comfortable break-out spaces
- Pods/booths for small meetings
- Quiet areas where staff can concentrate on fine detail etc.
5. Staff Areas
In order for staff to be productive, it is important that they can take breaks from work. Therefore, ensure staff areas are included within your budget. This should include canteens or kitchens for preparing food. It should also include tea and coffee making facilities and somewhere to take a break.
6. Equipment
When fitting out your office, it is worth taking stock of what equipment you have. Are there any gaps? Is your equipment the highest spec or could it do with updating?
Again, staff are best-placed to tell you what is working well and what may require improvement. For example, if the photocopier jams seven times out of ten, this is wasting time and resources.
It is also worth considering how technology could help save time. If you run several offices, do staff meet up regularly? If so, the right technology could cut down on travel times. Using VOIP technologies or Facetime etc. will improve your productivity by saving time.
7. Organization
How organized is your office space? Does everything have a place? How easy is it to locate a file or notebook? Could this be streamlined? It’s worth investing in an efficient office organization system. Where items can be digitized, this may help when searching and locating items. For paper-based systems, ensure you use a logical structure. And ensure you can cross reference.
There are many ways to increase productivity. Creating a functional office space that encourages creativity and collaboration is just the beginning.
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