This is perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind; the work environment should be such that it embraces productivity.
One of the most important things to take care of when designing your workspace it to make sure that it enhances productivity. More and more corporate brands are now paying attention to creating a more productive workspaces for their employees.
It is still a mystery, and research is still being conducted to understand how to optimize office spaces for this purpose. However, there are some tried and tested methods which can help with the same:
1. Keep the office clean and organized
A large body of evidence indicates that people tend to be less productive when their desk is cluttered. This seems like a no-brainer, yet there are numerous office spaces where there is no filing system or paperwork going missing.
Time spent on searching for important paperwork or a specific file can be used for accomplishing a task if everything you need is at its place. Sure, a little clutter is to be expected, and may even be necessary to get those creative juices flowing, but working in a pigpen never helped anyone.
Encourage your employees to keep their workspace clean and organized. Create workshops and seminars to instill the importance of a clean desk. It will not only save time, but will also prevent confusion and create an overall healthier atmosphere.
2. Make sure everyone has the right tools and resources
It’s near impossible to get anything done if you do not have the right tools for it. Your employees, as well as you, should have everything you need in order to complete your daily responsibilities. It should also be easy for different departments to communicate with each other and clarify any problems.
Commonly used equipment should be enough in number for everyone to be able to use them without waiting for their turn for a long time. For example, if a printer or photocopying machine is a shared resource in the office, make sure there are enough machines available that everyone can use it without waiting for a long time.
3. Redesign the office
The physical appearance of the office plays a significant role in increasing or decreasing the productivity too. It’s possible that your office is a bit outdated and you need an upgrade in order to boost the performance of your employees.
One of the most important changes is ensuring there is enough natural light in the office. Working in a well-lit space tends to increase people’s working capacity by 15 percent. You should also choose a color scheme for the office that suits your brand. For example, if your company is indulged in creative endeavors, you can paint the office yellow, but a corporate environment is more complementary with muted colors like blues and greys.
You should also ensure there are some indoor potted plants in the office to create a fresh vibe. Add a soothing air freshener to keep the atmosphere relaxed and soothing. You should ensure that the furniture is ergonomically designed to reduce strain on the eyes, back, and the rest of the body.
4. Find room for recreation
This may seem counterproductive, but research suggests that offices that have a gaming room or relaxing lounge tend to result in employees being happier. And when your employees are happier, they also perform better and put their energy to good use when working.
This is why, many corporate offices are now creating lounge-like rooms completely set up to let people recharge. They are generally stocked with snacks and healthy drinks. Some of them even have games and other fun activities that allow destressing.
A relaxing lounge can include anything - separate yoga space, TV hooked up with video games, a dartboard for throwing darts while enjoying some beers, a cooler to keep those beers cold and crisp, and whatnot. The list is endless. Anything and everything works – you just have to find out what is suitable for your team.
5. Create a culture of productivity
This is perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind; the work environment should be such that it embraces productivity. You can do so by communicating clearly with your team, speaking about your goals in an unambiguous manner, encouraging collaboration, and giving breaks to the team so that they can freshen up.
Closing thoughts
Our work environment is critically important, especially if we want to optimize our workforce. The above-mentioned steps are not the be-all, end-all when it comes to achieving the ideal environment, but it’s a good place to start.
