When thinking about your company’s assets, what comes to mind? Is it your inventory? Your cash and cash equivalents? Vehicles that your company owns? Does your physical office, where your employees spend most of their time, come to mind? Your physical office space is one of the most vital assets for your company, and using it well can make your company and business more successful. Not only does a great looking office attract clients and employees, but it reflects your company values.
How to Choose the Ideal Location
Think about where your office is located. Is it easily accessible? What is nearby your office? The location of your office is essential for not only your customers, but your employees as well. According to an article written by MartinVest, an office space leasing company, when picking the right location for your office space, it can keep your employees motivated.
When choosing a location that is convenient for your employees, is nearby to grocery stores, restaurants, and schools, and overall fits your team’s lifestyle, it helps make your employees feel cared for and supported, which in turn can motivate them to work harder.
The Building Exterior
The exterior of your office is one of the first things that people see when coming into your office. When a client comes into your office, the outside of the building is going to make the first impression for them.
Is your exterior dirty and rotting away?
Is there graffiti all over your building?
Or is your exterior clean, modern, and welcoming? Is there a visible sign for your office?
According to an article by BradFabs, there are reasons that the exterior of your commercial space matters. The first reason is that it needs to give the right first impression, because you want it to showcase your business in the right light. They give an example of adding a UPVC door canopy so that when it is raining and someone is waiting at the door, they won't get wet! It may seem like a small thing, but will leave a good impression. Another reason that they give to pay attention to your office exterior is that it makes visits to your business a more pleasant experience if there is visible signage pointing your visitors to easily accessible entrance doors. When you have new people coming to your office building, especially potential clients and investors, they need to know where they’re going. It isn't appealing to them if the entrance to the building is not clear, if they aren’t sure if they are at the right building, or if it doesn't look professional.
Office Design/The Interior
As seen in our Трендови на канцелариски простор во 2022 година post, the design of the inside of your office also matters. The way that it is set up and other creative touches, like whether or not it includes plants are important. Creative an office space that is designed well, keeps employees happy, comfortable, and able to focus on their work can increase productivity and quality of work, lower turnover rates, and all in all improve your company from the inside out. Listening to your employees and hearing their desires and needs for their office space is vital when it comes to designing an office space to suit their needs.
What challenges do you find in choosing and creating a motivating office space that reflects your business? Finding the right space and design for your business may take some time, but this investment has proven to create happier employees and higher quality products and services. You do not need to implement all of these ideas at your office to make it look good and feel good, but consider adding one or two of these trends to improve your office space.
Google's Example
Google is probably one of the most successful businesses in the world. Google’s net profit in 2021 was 76 billion USD. Not only is Google known as one of the best internet search engines, but they are also known for their amazing office spaces. In 2017, Google was voted “Best Company Culture” Award by Comparably, and in an article published by Forbes, they list out the many reasons why the company received this award. Most of the reasons are related to their office space, how it looks and functions and how that impacts their employees.
The way that Google sets up its offices encourages employees to interact with one another, foster creativity, and gives its employees perks, such as on campus gyms. The exterior of Google campuses are state-of-the-art, with clear entrances and signage, and the company even allows Google employees to work outside. Google attributes their corporate success to their employees, and their office space is a big part of keeping their employees motivated and happy.
Small Changes Make a Better Office Space
Your business may not be able to change your office location right now, but there are certainly things you can do to the space right away. For example, you can easily beautify the space with a few new plants. A touch of greenery is a simple change that will yield great results!
If your front door doesn't have a canopy, install one. Also, be sure to set up signs on or near the building entrance so that customers can easily find you. These changes are not expensive, and will certainly have a positive impact on employees and customers.
Another easy change that can improve communication between employees is rearranging furniture. Collaboration and open communication can stimulate employees and lead to new and fresh ideas. If you feel that the furniture arrangement in your office is making the space feel cramped and confined, it may be time to rearrange it.
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