Why it Might be Time to Refurbish Your Office

With the business world moving at an increasingly fast pace thanks to the Internet, there is extra motive for all companies to make all necessary changes to give their company a competitive edge, streamline processes and boost motivation throughout their workforce.

There are many changes you could probably think of as a business owner, and most of these will be associated with reducing cost and improving profitability, but there other ways to achieve this goal. We are talking about investing in your team and working environment. In this article we take a look at why now might be the right time to refurbish, as well as showcasing the potential for environmental, financial and productivity benefits.

• Improved Working Atmosphere – Everybody loves a refreshed look, and working in a renewed environment can make work life seem new, stimulating your workforce. Some simple changes include changing décor and colours, as well as commissioning murals or company logos for the walls. Light colours such as white, cream and blue are normally popular as they are seen as calming, but there is nothing to stop you from using bright colours to contribute towards a creative atmosphere.

If you have a bit more to invest in your refurb then you might want to look at installing office partitions which are great if your role requires a certain degree of privacy or if you want to segregate your employees into teams.

Glass partitions are a popular variation as they still involve a feeling of interaction amongst the workforce. Another advantage when compared to their opaque counterparts is that they allow more natural light to slow through into different areas, which again will help to stimulate and motivate your workforce. The great thing about glass partitions is that they can still be installed in such a way that they prevent noise disturbance between office areas. This can be essential when staff need to work in a peaceful environment.

• Environmental Benefits – There are also certain environmental benefits of refurbishing your office if the right changes are made. If we look back at the glass office partitions then we you will benefit from reduced electricity bills as more natural light is emitted throughout the office. There are also a variety of recycling opportunities and incentives in order to encourage offices to increase their sustainability efforts. This includes the using sustainable materials where needed when you fit out your new office and initiating effective waste policies and systems.

• Financial Incentives – If the sustainable efforts mentioned above are carried out correctly then your company will be eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA's) which will improve cash flow through accelerated tax relief. Also, as mentioned, Sustainable changes also help to reduce dependency on heating and electricity.

More financial benefits of a refurbished office will come from the money saved as a result of a more pro-active and motivated workforce who are willing to work at a faster and more efficient pace. A refreshed environment will provide them with this motivational push which will help to meet deadlines, reduce bottlenecks and finish projects within the required budget allocated.

• Office Comfort – Finally a refurbished office will help to relax your workforce and enable them to comfortably work. If an employee feels comfortable with their colleagues and working environment, then they are going to be looking at staying with the company for the long run. Changes like introducing a chill out area and offering the best office equipment, such as an ergonomic chair, adjustable monitor and a keyboard rest, are all simple ways of achieving this during your refurbishment.


About the Author

Optima Systems are an office partitioning expert, specialising in frameless glass doors, glass office partitions and glass walls.

A Few Essentials for Every Working Office

Every office is bespoke and different in its own way, but at the same time the majority of working offices will need a few fundamental pieces of equipment which will enhance business processes and efficiency amongst the workforce. Listed here are the most important elements to an effective working office.

1.    Calendar – when working as part of a workforce, it is very useful to have a calendar where everyone can document their plans, and the time and date of any events. This can be for both internal events, which include meetings, training and days out, and external events, which include trade fairs or any holiday time that's been booked. The format you choose is completely up to you, as you can use a diary or a poster for the whole office to use so that every one is aware of what's going on throughout the company.

The alternative which seems to be most common in the modern office are online calendars such as the one built into Microsoft Outlook. Here it is possible to post or edit events and meetings, which the whole office and your clients can access. It will also allow you to invite members of the team to that they can plan their schedule and receive reminders before important meetings.

2.    File Server – this is some sort of system where you can file and store all important and relevant information so that you can look up and refer to it at a later date. This can include office, financial and legal documents, which you will need to refer back to at a later date. Almost all companies now use a ‘paperless' system whereby all important files are stored on a file server, which is usually managed by an external I.T company for small companies, or an I.T department for larger organisations. 

You should also be aware that any system failures could mean that you are unable to access them at critical times. Ensure backups are carried out and security systems are always up to date.

3.    Automatic Backups – These are systems which will make copies of your data so that the additional copies can be used to restore data that has been lost or deleted. In large companies, this is extremely important as you could lose valuable company data, and even more disastrous you could lose your clients data, which will not make for a good working relationship.

These systems will automatically back up this data, so you do not have to worry about doing it manually. This can really be a life safer in desperate times.

4.    Comfortable ergonomic equipment – This is any equipment or facilities you will use in your working office which has been built for your comfort to help make your working day as easy and painless as possible. This can come in a variety of forms which include ergonomic office chairs, which have been built to keep you comfortable, and to help you maintain a good posture so that you do not develop back ache. This can also include the height, distance and viewing angle of your monitor so that you do not strain your eyes or your neck. All these measures have been designed to prevent long term injuries and disabilities.

5.    Office Partitioning systems - You should also consider the environment your employees are working in. Does your office benefit from office partitions or would they be more productive in an open plan office layout? Is there enough lighting in the room to inspire and motivate them, and is the colour scheme correct? These office layout issues are of vital importance to how your office works and how your employees behave.

These are just a few essential elements of the modern working office that you will not be able to function without. Equipment like computers and phones are obvious omissions here but this list consists of some elements that people will often forget when setting up an office for the first time. Remember you will probably only get one go at this, as making major changes to things like office partitioning will involve disruptions – so make sure you use the right solutions first time around.

About the Author

Optima Systems are an office partitioning expert, specialising in frameless glass doors, glass office partitions and glass walls.