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Extending Your Office in 2022? Here’s What You Should Know

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StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article |Extending your office|Extending Your Office in 2022? Here's What You Should KnowThere will come a time during your professional career where your current office space simply doesn’t seem large enough. You may be thinking about extending the company and employing many more bodies and this can of course take a lot of time and resources to do.

Today we are going to take a look at some of the things you should think about when extending an office space from the bare bricks to the final touches, and even to the colours you put on the walls. There are always a lot of things to consider so it is well worth taking into account before you launch a big project.

Cash

Look at your business capital right now. How much profit are you making each month? How much of this money goes towards operations of the business? If you have a lot of expendable income for the project then go ahead and get started, but if not, it is important to consider whether it is worth spending.

Try not to overface yourself

Extending the office will be a big task to take on and it is incredibly important that you are able to put the time into the project when it begins. The worst thing you can do is choose to build a new part of the office during a busy period of sales because this will overwork everyone in the office.

Prepare a budget

The most important thing to do when you are thinking about extending the office is to make a strict budget and stick to it. This budget will tell you how many stories you can afford to build and what kind of facilities you will be able to place into the office this year. It is incredibly important to pay attention to every little detail when coming up with a budget and prepare for any issues which may arise during the project, including tools like Accupro to licenses.

Diversify

When you are looking to extend your business and your office space, this is the ideal time to think about diversifying the products or services you provide. If you are building an extra office space or a workshop to create products, you can consider new equipment and supplies to make unique products for your customers.

Don’t forget infrastructure

When expanding a business you need to think about more than just the bricks and mortar. The business itself will change as you grow and it is important for you to place some solid infrastructure in place so that things don’t become confusing when you do expand and branch out into new areas.

Delegate

The best resource you have as a business owner when it comes to a project like this is extra hands. There is no need for you to hire a whole new team of people to complete simple tasks when you can get your staff to work on the project with you during office hours.

Add light

There is nothing more depressing than a dark office space and as a business owner it is your responsibility to take a stand and make sure that your workers are happy. Add lots of natural light sources and this can brighten a mood in your new space.

Getting Your Office Space Ready for Staff Members’ Return

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Pandemic|Getting Your Office Space Ready for Staff Members' ReturnThe coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic has seen many businesses switch to working on a remote basis. This has been extremely useful in terms of slowing the spread of the virus and keeping staff members as well as possible. Now, many businesses have found that remote working has actually been completely fine for their business. Staff have managed to stay just as productive and video call software has meant we’ve all been able to keep in touch for events such as meetings that would usually be carried out on a face to face basis. It’s not all too surprising, then, that many businesses have decided to remain permanently remote. It cuts out office costs and other overheads, making businesses more cost effective. However, some business owners are still eager for the return to the office. They like having a set environment where staff must turn up, act professionally and can get their work done while being overseen by management.

If you fall into the latter category, you may be anticipating a return to the office at some point this year, as vaccines are being rolled out and as we are getting ready for a return to life as usual. Here are a few things you can do to get your office space ready!

Deep Clean

If your office has been uninhabited for a year or so now, you’re going to have to conduct a deep clean before your staff head back in. Not only will this make sure that your office space is sparkling and bright for when everyone gets back to work, but it will ensure that staff can feel that it’s Covid safe and secure too. Generally speaking, the best option is to use professional commercial cleaning services, which will get the job done to the highest standard.

Redecorating

The office can feel a bit drab. You want staff to feel glad to be back to work. So, why not add a fresh coat of paint to the walls and make things look nicer for their return? This will boost staff happiness and maximise productivity. Again, this job is often best left to the professionals, so make sure to use a Commercial Painting Company.

Implement Covid Safety Measures

Sure, staff may be able to return to work soon. But this doesn’t mean that Covid is necessarily going to just disappear. You need to make sure that you implement Covid safety measures in the space still. This is important for general hygiene and to make staff feel comfortable too. Make sure that there are screens between desks where staff have to work in close proximity to one another. Make sure that there are plenty of hand sanitiser dispensers available. Make sure that staff have masks and that they wear them when walking around the office.

These, of course, are just a few suggestions to get the ball rolling. There are all sorts of other steps that you can take to get your office space ready for staff members’ return. Hopefully, some of the advice will be able to help you and will prove useful!

How To Thrive In A Co-Working Space As A Business

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StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article |Co-working Space|How To Thrive In A Co-Working Space As A BusinessCo-working spaces have certainly become more popular over the years for their affordability and opportunities that it provides for businesses of all sizes. Whether it’s a temporary space in between offices or a permanent one, this is an environment that can work for you. Here are some tips to thrive in a co-working space as a business.

Use All The Features Available

Co-working spaces have a lot of benefits that come with the package you pay for. Depending on the type of co-working space, it will also depend on the number of amazing benefits that can come with your membership and the level of packages that are available. Some of the best ones might include a personal gym for members only, coffee and tea-making facilities, and even a bar. When you’re paying for this space, you might as well to take full advantage of all the features available because it’s a package that is worth utilizing, especially if it can help your business in a variety of ways. Working in a coworking environment certainly has it’s perks and in some cases, can be better than non-serviced buildings.

Network With Those Around You

Networking is a great way of meeting new people, and you can certainly get this when it comes to co-working spaces. There will be lots of people from all different backgrounds, and with these spaces, you usually get a lot of different businesses, start-ups, and individuals. You want to take full advantage of meeting these people and creating connections. You never know how they might be able to help you on your journey as a business. The influence that some might have could be life-changing, so start shaking hands and making small-talk!

Alternate Locations

There is usually a lot of different spaces within a co-working space, and it can certainly be beneficial to alternate between different locations. This can help your productivity, and it’s not something you would always get with a non-serviced building. You’ve got the freedom to go wherever and enjoy different setups whether it’s a sofa with a coffee table or a traditional desk area. It can also be great to do when you’re feeling particularly unmotivated to get anything done that day. Switch it up every couple of days or even every day if you prefer.

Keep The Productivity High For Team Members

Keeping your productivity levels high is important, especially for any team members that you might have who work with you in this co-working space. As much as it can be great for meeting new people, it can also pose as a distraction. Make sure you have a schedule that you can stick to and not deter from too much when it comes to your working day. Taking regular breaks is important, but it’s good to keep to a schedule in order to keep yourself motivated and productive.

A co-working space is definitely something worth considering if you think it’s the right fit for you. Use these tips to help you thrive!