Getting the most out of your employees is not only about the candidates you choose to hire. Although choosing efficient staff is certainly contributory, there are many other business and environmental factors that can boost productivity and creativity in your workplace.
So you’re not left in the dark when it comes to innovative business ideas, we’ve put together 5 inspiring ways that you can reevaluate your office design to get the most out of your team.
1. Employee morale
If your employees don’t have an optimistic, enthusiastic attitude, it is likely that they will lack the initiative and motivation to make efficient business decisions. Making sure that the office is in good spirits increases positivity, which means that your workforce won’t mind being at work. This is essential in any successful business model.
Ways to boost employee morale can be to celebrate office accomplishments, encourage passionate projects, mix up the way the company does things and always remember to have fun.
2. OH&S
Before looking into how you can creatively design your office or work space, it’s important to remember that health and safety must come first. Creating a safe work environment is critical to the success of your business, and one of the best ways to retain staff and maximise productivity.
To ensure you get the best out of your employees, it is essential that they are all provided with appropriate training on all aspects of their work, including health and safety. Although it costs money to implement safe practices and install safety equipment, the consequences of not taking action can be extremely severe.
3. Ergonomics
It has been proven time and time again that working in an office environment can wreak havoc on the body. From back, shoulder and neck problems to seeing difficulties to Repetitive Strain Injury, there are a plethora of ways your body cries out for help when cooped up at a desk.
One way to combat those health issues is to set up an ergonomic work space. This includes an adjustable chair with lumbar support, having your computer screen at eye level and your keyboard at a height where your elbows are at 90 degrees. Although these changes might seem small, they can make a huge difference in the long run.
4. Aesthetics
A visually stimulating and pleasing environment can work wonders for both the left and right brain functions. Whether you’re crunching numbers or designing art for work, it’s important to remember that lighting, temperature and colour all affect how employees perform.
A general rule is to incorporate as much light as you can – whether that be through sky lights, windows, or desk lights. Offices that are too cold or too hot can also have a negative effect on productivity. Try to keep the office between 21 and 23 degrees at all times.
5. Clever spaces
One of the latest trends in office design is to create different spaces for different modes of tasks. The idea is to use specific areas for quiet work, meetings, interactions, brainstorming and the like. This means that workers can have a break from their desks, giving them the opportunity to choose the best space for the particular mindset that is needed for the task at hand.
A great way to do this is to implement office partitioning systems, creating separate spaces with a stylish and contemporary look.
Takeaway
In order to get the most out of your employees, they need to be relaxed, happy and healthy. A great way to affect this is by starting with the workplace itself. Ensure your workforce is motivated and stimulated by boosting employee morale and ensuring OH&S is up to standard. As well as this, create clever spaces with office partitioning, pleasing aesthetics and ergonomic desk designs.
Re-thinking your workplace in these areas is a sure way to create a flexible working environment that is more conducive to productivity.