How Good Office Design Increases Productivity

As a small business owner, you will naturally be concerned about your company’s productivity and growth. But did you know that research has shown that there is a direct correlation between levels of productivity and creativity and the environment in which office staff are expected to work? It has been proven that the performance of many employees would improve dramatically if they could work elsewhere.

Freeing people

Gone are the days when employees were tied to their desks. We live and work in a virtual world and small business owners should begin to look closely at ways in which technology can be used to free their employees from the old-fashioned office-based working culture.

Remote working

Many small businesses have already embraced the idea of some staff members working from home for at least part of the working week. There are plenty of benefits to be gained; lower office costs, increased productivity and improved staff retention to name a few. Obviously, employees will need to meet to exchange ideas, discuss projects in depth and to attend performance review interviews and the like, but the general consensus of opinion among employers and employees is that a blend of home and office working is a workable arrangement.

Of course, some people are quite content to come into the office to work. Working alone at home can be a very isolating environment which doesn’t suit everyone and others may have young children or other distractions at home which are not conducive to a productive working environment.

In the office

For those companies who do still insist on a more traditional, office-based operation, heavy investment in the work environment is becoming the norm. The modern office is carefully designed to make people feel comfortable, happy and creative. Gone are the rows of desks, whiteboards and bright overhead fluorescent tubes; instead the office environment includes areas designed for staff down-time with television, quiet areas and home comforts as well as technology.

Source: Freshest