03 Sep TOP 7 WAYS TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE IN THE OFFICE
1. INNOVATION. Creativity has become critical to everyday business. How we use creativity to enhance performance of a process, person, team or the organisation is innovation. So, how will you make sure you will innovate this 2016?
Make sure you back your workplace culture with a workplace environment that supports innovation. Workplace design can go a long way in providing venues and resources for people to explore ideas. Learn more about ABW and Alternative Work Strategies (AWS) as pathway to innovation.
2. CONNECTION. Whilst the business world moves faster and become more global, more mobile and more digitized, organisations also need to take a more strategic stance in designing and organising the workplace. A strategic workplace features the essential 4C’s –Connection, Communication, Collaboration and Culture.
We all interact with a wide variety of stakeholders, both inside and outside the traditional organisation concept. In designing your digital workplace, companies must keep in mind the many intricate relationships each staff maintain among and between employees and customers, vendors, suppliers, and even the public at large.
Technology must be harnessed to the firm’s advantage: access devices, communications infrastructure, business applications, the workplace environment and digital security. Take connectivity to another level this year.
3. GREEN. Whilst the Environmental and Sustainable trend is not new, Greening is. Greening the office has almost limitless possibilities. Aside from generating a lighter environmental footprint, a healthier and productive place to work – a green setting also greatly impacts every business’ bottom line. This is all about biophilic and organic design principles at work.
You can start by looking to recycle, reuse and reduce or by getting good furniture, good lighting and good air. Optimise the energy settings of computers and other devices. Do more online so you’ll need less paper; and when you do, opt for the recycled material?
4. WELLNESS. A healthy workplace means more than just keeping your staff safe from colds and flu. It is holistic and considers their physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, occupational and mental health.
Wellness was trending in 2014 and it is still in this year because it is linked to greater productivity, less absenteeism, and a reduction of long-term health care costs. Wellness needs to be about what is best for employees, because ultimately, the happier, healthier and more resilient employees are, the better an organisation performs.
Having a staff gym improves health and productivity. Putting up standing desk is another.
What have you done to ensure the health of your workforce? Have you done enough if any?
5. ADAPTABILITY. Whilst adaptability and flexibility are both becoming a critical and sought-after skill employers seek in 21st century employees, our offices must echo the same abilities.
Adaptable workspaces are essential for companies likely to face uncertainty due to hiring or downsizing driven by market shifts. This is typical to organisations dealing with ever-evolving technology, keeping up without disrupting the office. There is no room for downtime; workplaces must adapt to change as quickly as any other aspect of the business.
Adaptable workspaces enable people, processes and technologies to work together more effectively, achieving greater sustainable results when responding to changes in demand. Adaptable workspaces allows system upgrades throughout the life of the facility; executing reconfigurations or renovations easily, performing economically and responsibly, with minimal waste of resources.
The question of ‘open’ or ‘closed’/private office is irrelevant. The real issue is to be able to change – from an open office to a private one and vice versa, in the right place, at the right time, and for the right reasons, cost effectively. This is a principle that boosts your workplace strategy.
6. ENGAGEMENT. Engaged employees are rare stock. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, only 13% of employees worldwide are engaged at work.
So, we may ask – why is engagement very important?
Engagement enables staff to offer and bring more to their roles. It is the holy grail of work satisfaction. These employees willingly go the extra mile, work with passion, and feel a profound connection to their company. They are the people who will drive innovation and move your business forward such as the case of this high performance workplace.
Increasing engagement should be a strategic priority this year.
7. HAPPINESS. The greatest competitive advantage in the modern economy is a positive workforce. Happy employees are simply more productive, more creative, less likely to leave and improve the company’s bottom line. But why is staff happiness not on your list of priorities?
It doesn’t have to cost your company’s fortune to create a fun environment at your office. Ask us about these great places to work and we’ll tell you about them.
Take the valuable opportunity to transform your employees’ work experiences into ones that are fulfilling and motivating — one that allows you all to bring your very best to work every day. Talk to HUBB Consultants today.