PAlife E X PE RT ADVI CE INSPIRED CHOICES
WITH THE AVERAGE WORKER SPENDING NEARLY 16 PER CENT OF THEIR LIFE AT WORK, PAUL FINCHEXPLAINS HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT OFFICE ENVIRONMENT
HE SPACES IN WHICH WE work can have a direct impact on productivity and creativity. Design and
layout should be an essential consideration for employers looking to create a stimulating environment. But how do you make a workspace functional, flexible and inspirational? Recognising the need for improvement is the first step. The next is agreeing the scope of the project: do you want to opt for a whole new premise, or simply retrofit your existing space? Either way, it is important to assign responsibilities internally and ensure a member of the team is leading on the project to aid with necessary approvals. Once the team is in place, outline the objectives. Engaging with your workforce is key. This can be done by running an internal workshop to offer workers the opportunity to provide crucial input on what currently works and what doesn’t. Doing this demonstrates your intent to improve your employees’ surroundings and that you place a high level of importance on their comfort. Any properly run project should also
take into account the type of work the team undertakes. Do they require an office environment better suited to individual work or is a collaborative set-up more appropriate? Small improvements can have a big impact on both efficiency and morale. We forget that many aspects of our work
environment are within our power to change, so don’t be afraid to consider structural alterations or layout modifications. An inspiring workspace is more than interior design; it’s a reflection of your company and its culture, so think about creating a breakout area where employees can come together. Inject some colour, by all means. Take into
account your brand colours and how they can be incorporated in a wider context than just decoration and furnishings, such as lighting and office stationery, for instance. Use furnishings, plants and pictures to bring the space to life and encourage staff to personalise their desks to help people feel engaged with their surroundings. Once planning, design and facilities have been addressed you can rest assured that
your business will be delivering a stimulating working environment, but don’t rest on your laurels – look for ways to continually improve your surroundings. Offices often become uninspiring because
they have been outgrown or no longer serve the specific purpose for which they were originally conceived. It’s important, therefore,
to regularly review your workspace, the use of the room available and the technology required to keep it productive and meet the changing needs of the people who use them. Paul Finch is the joint founder and CEO of Orega, a specialist provider of serviced office space. For more information on its locations, see
orega.com
DON’T MISS THE LATEST TWEETS FROM THE PA LIFE TEAM. FOLLOW US @PALI FEMAG
PALIFE.CO.UK ♦ 19 ♦ MARCH 2013 • PALife
IMPROVEMENTS CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON EFFICIENCY AND MORALE
EVEN SMALL
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52