As a business owner, keeping your team productive throughout the workday is always a priority. But the average person is only productive for 2 hours and 53 minutes during an eight-hour shift.
The best thing you can do is build an office space that focuses on maximizing worker productivity.
There’s more to the process than simply cutting out all distractions. You need to take your team’s needs into consideration and design a modern workplace that offers flexibility, fun, and comfort at all times. Here are a few simple tips to help.
1. Create Different Work Spaces
Working in cubicles may seem like a great way to maximize space and encourage productivity, but it can do more harm than good. Instead, build an office space that provides multiple work areas.
Add large tables where people can collaborate with their colleagues. Ditch cubicles altogether and create an open office floor plan where your team can communicate easily.
You may also want to build an area where people can go to focus on individual projects without worrying about distractions. Add divided desks where people can work without worrying about visual distractions. Build separate insulated rooms where noise from the main office area won’t interrupt concentration.
The more work areas you can provide, the easier it will be for your team to stay focused.
2. Bring Plants Into the Office
Plants can have a huge impact on worker productivity. They make the office feel more comfortable and vibrant while also improving the air quality inside. Even better, they can act as a type of natural insulation to cut down on echoes and disruptive noise throughout the day.
Add plants to the common areas of the office and encourage your staff to bring plants in for their desks. This adds color and personality to the office.
3. Invest in the Right Equipment
Even the best employees can struggle to be productive if they don’t have the right equipment for their jobs. At a bare minimum, you should provide ergonomic desk setups.
These will include high-quality chairs, monitor stands, and if you have the budget, sit-stand desks that allow workers to change their positions throughout the day. If those adjustable desks are a bit too pricey, add standing workstations where people can go if they need a change of scenery.
If you want to tailor your office design to your staff’s needs, ask them for suggestions. They’ll know what tools and equipment will best help them get their work done quickly.
It’s also helpful to have a backup plan in place in case your building loses power. There is a full range of generators that can keep your building running even when the rest of the neighborhood is without power.
This will let your team continue working without interrupting their productivity even when conditions are bad outside.
4. Make Use of Natural Light
Artificial lighting is great when it gets dark, but leaving those light fixtures on all day long can take a toll on your team’s productivity. Instead, build an office space that brings in as much natural light as possible.
This means installing plenty of windows and skylights throughout the building.
Though it may seem like the view will cause distractions, most workers end up getting more done when they have natural light and a view of the outdoors from their desks.
5. Take Air Quality Into Consideration
Colds, allergies, and upper respiratory conditions take a major toll on your team’s productivity. And most of those issues result from poor indoor air quality.
Take a look at your HVAC system and see what you can do to improve the air inside your building. Install HEPA filters to catch contaminants like dust and pollen. Get the ductwork cleaned twice a year and let your HVAC technician tune your system up in the spring and fall.
The better your indoor air quality is the less often your team will have to call out and the more they’ll be able to focus on their work.
6. Encourage Personalization
Workers are more productive when they feel comfortable. For most people, this means bringing elements of their homes into their office space.
Encourage your team to personalize their dedicated work areas whenever possible. Pictures, artwork, and even throw blankets can help them feel more comfortable throughout the day.
Keep in mind that you’ll want to set firm guidelines about the types of items that are acceptable. The last thing you want is for someone to bring in an offensive poster or desk decoration.
Make sure everyone is on the same page with the rules and periodically walk the office to ensure that everything is up to snuff.
7. Don’t Forget About Breaks
Sometimes, your team will need to just relax and unwind for a few minutes. This is how they can overcome mental blocks that keep them from focusing on work or finding solutions to tough problems.
Incorporate break areas into your office design. These should include comfortable couches and chairs for your team to relax in.
Keep these areas separate from the main workspace whenever possible. This way, your employees can socialize without worrying about interrupting their colleagues. And encourage them to take advantage of those break areas.
When you allow your employees to socialize, they’re less likely to spend time browsing social media or getting distracted by viral cat videos.
Use These Ideas When You’re Ready to Build an Office Space
If you’re trying to build an office space that encourages productivity and helps your team get more done, these tips are a great place to start. Once you have a general design ready, don’t hesitate to ask your team for their input.
Take their ideas into consideration and build a workplace that works for your company. Remember, no two businesses are alike and what your team needs to work best may not be what others recommend.
Looking for more tips on increasing productivity and improving your office space? Check out our latest posts.
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