5 Tips To Improving The Workplace Environment

Photo source

It’s no secret that your startup thrives when your employees work hard. They are the backbone of your company, and it all starts with their productivity. Now, we talk a lot about productivity on this blog, and there are all sorts of ways to inspire it.

Today, however, I want to focus on one particular aspect, and that’s the working environment. The office in which you all work is a key player in your company’s productivity. When you create a space that is comfortable and inspiring, your employees work harder. It’s that simple. But, how do you create such a powerful work space?

Warmth and light

It all starts with the basics of temperature and ambience. We’ve all worked in those cold, dark offices. They’re lined with awful strip lights, and you rarely see any natural light. It almost seems to suck the life out of you. Try to organise the office to allow as much natural light as possible. It actively gives energy to your employees. As for the temperature, try to keep it at a perfect, comfortable temperature. Many offices now use a kerosene heater for the colder months, and it certainly does the trick. Trust me, these two simple basics have an enormous impact on productivity.

Create break spaces

Working your employees to the edge of their limits is rarely a good idea. Instead, allow and encourage regular breaks. Provide a comfortable space they can get away from their desk and give themselves a quick break. You can even bring a ping pong table into the space, or a fussball table. It’s also a great way to inspire communication and collaboration. Your employees will naturally gather around it, share problems, and find solutions. Communication is everything.

Let workers personalise their space

At Google, new employees are given $50 cash on their first day to go and buy whatever they like for their desk. It’s a way of personalising the space around you, so you feel more comfortable. Again, it’s a simple trick that allows workers to feel at home. Don’t be too draconian about the office space; let people personalise the office. Make it feel like it’s theirs. You can even let them help decorate the entire space.

Photo source

Be flexible

Try not to enforce a rigid structure on your employees. Everyone has different needs, and it’s always best to accommodate them. If someone needs to start work a little later because they drop their kids off, allow them to. If one employee could work better from home on a certain day, discuss it. In the modern age, there’s no need to stick to the 9-5 schedule. You can use video conferences or Skype calls to telecommute, for example.

Use open plan and closed rooms

Most modern startup offices are now open plan. It’s great for communication and collaboration. But, do consider the employees that sometimes need a quiet space to get in the zone. Think of coders and developers in particular. Provide closed rooms as well as that wide open space.

Thanks for reading, folks! Don’t forget to check out our other startup articles before you go.