In the modern world, the business environment is very competitive. Having a productive workforce is important for any business regardless of its size, but businesses, especially small businesses, need to be efficient if they are to survive.
Productivity can be affected by many things. Poor IT systems that are slow and often down will significantly reduce productivity. Having a poorly trained workforce or outdated office equipment is also detrimental. Not all employers may be aware of how important the office environment is for improving productivity. Employees who feel comfortable and like their workplace are more likely to be productive. Of course, there is the practical aspect of office design. If it is difficult for employees to retrieve the items that they need to accomplish their work, productivity will be reduced.
Lighting is one aspect of the workplace that can have a significant effect on employees. Poor lighting can be a health hazard if people are liable to trip because they cannot see obstacles in their pathway, but there is more to lighting than simply allowing people to see. Lighting can affect people’s mood. A badly lit workplace can cause employees to suffer from headaches, depression and become sleepy or irritable. It is not just the amount of light that is important, it is also the type of light. Natural light is far better than artificial lighting. An office which has plenty of natural light without not being too hot can significantly improve employee’s mood and health. Quality plantation shutters are a good option for an office space. Not only are they stylish, but they let in plenty of light. On hot days, when the sun is very bright, they can provide protection from the glare of the sun.
You may want to consider using different lighting at different times of the day. Blue lighting boosts mood and attention during the morning. However, if employees work after sunset it can have a negative affect because it disrupts sleep cycles.
If your business requires employees to collaborate and share information, creating an open office may help boost productivity. Low panels separating work desks make it easier to communicate. You may also want to create small offices that employees can use for team meetings. These offices can be small but highly functional.
If your workforce needs to be creative you may want a more radical approach. Sitting at a desk all day is not necessarily the best way for employees to be productive. Some businesses have created offices in which there are fewer desks than employees. The aim of this is to get employees to choose their working environment based on the tasks they are currently doing. Standing meeting bars and rooms mean that meetings tend to be more focused and achieve more in a shorter time. An example of this type of thinking is the Google office in Covent Garden which is definitely not a conventional office.
Employees spend a lot of time at work, so creating an environment which gets the best out of your workforce is definitely money well spent.
