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5 Things to Consider When Finding the Right Commercial Premises

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Commercial Premises|5 Things to Consider When Finding the Right Commercial PremisesWhen you are looking to take your business to the next level, you need to start looking at commercial premises. However, where do you even start when it comes to looking for premises, and what do you need to be considering?

Commercial premises can help to elevate your business to the next level, so it is a decision that you do not want to get wrong.

1. Is the Premises Fit for Purpose?

To begin with, when you are starting your search, you need to look at whether or not a premises is fit for purpose. Changing the use of business premises, or trying to change something to fit your use will be costly and timely. It is better to get premises that are fit for purpose straight away, as opposed to trying to alter (or completely change) what you are looking at. Knowing what you need is crucial, even in the early ages of your search.

2. What Location Do You Need?

Creating a checklist will aid your search. For example, do you need a location that has great footfall? Are you looking for an out of town location, or is a huge parking lot important to you and to your business?

3. Is it Well-Built and In a Good State of Repair?

Some commercial buildings can look great on first inspection; however, when you start to look closely, you notice that work needs doing. For example, it may need a new commercial roof or it may need extensive repairs to make it watertight. If possible, try and visit the premises you are looking at on several occasions before committing or making a decision. To further aid your decision, you may also find it beneficial to seek assistance from a surveyor, or another contractor, who may be able to see things that you may have overlooked.

4. How Much Will It Cost Per Month?

Whether you are buying or leasing new commercial premises, you still need to know the cost per month. When you factor in everything from insurance, to business and trading rates – right down to electricity, water, and other utility costs, can you still afford it? You do not want to take on a large property if realistically you will only be using a quarter of it.

5. What Rates Will You Have to Pay?

Speaking to the owner, or asking the property agent, is always a good thing to do (even at an early stage in your search). Establishing what rates you will have to pay to the owner, or even to the local state, will help you see if the location is still affordable. For example, a lot of town center premises will have extra rates placed on them, to ensure that the area is kept clean and tidy for all visitors and residents. These costs will all add up, and they will be added to the top of your purchase price, or lease price. So, before committing, check not only that you are in the right location, but also check the property is affordable both now and moving forwards in the future.

How to Create a Workplace to Maximize Productivity

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StrategyDriven Talent Management Article |Workspace|How to Create a Workplace to Maximize ProductivityWhile introducing innovative software and streamlining processes can create a more efficient environment, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of improving your team’s workspace.

Your goal must be to create an organized environment that supports collaboration and improves employee morale. To create a focused, efficient, and happy team, read the following advice on how to create a productive workplace.

Add Office Plants

A study has found that office plants can increase employees’ productivity levels by 15%. It’s believed the plant life can boost staff members’ concentration levels while creating a higher level of air quality and improving workplace satisfaction. It can, therefore, support your employees’ health and quality of life.

Eradicate Daily Mess

A messy desk can equal a messy mind. Provide your team with mental clarity by encouraging your staff to eradicate mess on a daily basis, which can help them to remain both focused and productive. For example, you should encourage them to throw away unnecessary items, clean dirty dishes and keep personal items to a minimum on their desk.
It will free them of visual clutter and increase their focus on the task at hand. Eliminating clutter from the office space can also prevent your staff from misplacing items, so it can be an effective tactic for improving internal efficiency.

Set the Right Temperature

A hot, sticky office can considerably reduce employee morale and impact your team members’ concentration. For this reason, you should introduce a dependable air conditioning system into your workplace, which can help your employees to remain cool, calm and relaxed once temperatures start to rise.

Tweak Your Office Design

The layout and design of an office can determine the atmosphere within the workplace. If your employees appear unsatisfied in their role, it might be time to tweak your office space to improve your staff members’ job satisfaction, efficiency, and productivity levels.

For example, you should tinker with your office’s color scheme, lighting and general layout, which should improve light and space within the workplace. It could prevent your staff from feeling cramped and claustrophobic while improving their happiness each working day.

Provide the Best Tools and Equipment

Slow, inefficient equipment and tools could drain your employees of morale and make them long for 5pm to strike. It can also prevent your team from completing a task at a fast rate, which could lead to missed deadlines, unhappy clients and smaller profitability.

For this reason, you must review your current hardware and software to ensure they are up to your company’s standards, and you should ask your employees for feedback regarding their equipment, which you might need to replace as soon as possible.

For example, they could benefit from:

A few changes to your equipment could make a big difference to employee morale and can lead to greater individual and team performances in the workplace. While the above options can be expensive, they could potentially save and generate more money for your business over time.

Workplace Design Tips To Increase Profit Margins

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Were you aware that the design of your workplace is important for employee engagement and customer satisfaction? As a business owner it is important to consider and make adaptations to the aesthetics of your premises in order to increase productivity and sales.

Taking on the large financial commitment of a business premises is a big decision, so considerations around the aesthetics are essential right from the very beginning.

The aesthetics of your business premises are important as it is your “shop window” to visiting clients and customers. It is important to give a good first impression and look professional, tidy and organised. Employees are likely to be more productive and happy working in an aesthetically pleasing workspace and staff turnover may well reduce.

This article aims to look at ways of making your business look more aesthetically pleasing.

External

Even if your budget is minimal, it is important to make the external areas of your business premises look tidy and professional. Check that car park areas are well maintained and that pathways are well maintained by taking advice from a professional flooring company. Ensure walking surfaces are safe and free from hazards.

The entrance to your business property should be inviting. Have clear signage and good lighting facilities. Does your door look aesthetically pleasing ie no peeling paint or broken door furnishings?

On entering your building clients should be able to easily find directions to the meeting point. This could be done by positioning a welcome desk visible from the doorway, or clear signs directing them to your office space.

Internally

The internal aesthetics of your premises are important due to the professional image you wish to portray to your clients and visitors, but also for creating an area conducive to good productivity from your staff (and yourself).

Gone are the days when offices were designed by placing dark, dingy desks in uninspiring rows. Much more thought has been given to the modern office, the idea being that different zones can be created for meeting, collaborating, relaxing and working.

Modern offices are light and airy and make use of all natural light available. To make the space appear lighter, if natural light is at a premium, decorate in light colours, but avoid the traditional colour of grey. Try to bring the “outdoors in” by using splashes of colour.

Greenery

The colour green increases production and  performance as well as evokes a sense of calmness. Bringing green into your workspace can be achieved by painting a wall or even better by using plants. If your budget is high you could consider creating a green-space for your employees and visitors to relax in, by building an atrium, filled with plants and fresh air.

Space

If you are at the initial stage of looking at business premises, try to get as much space included as your budget will allow. Cramped offices are not conducive to good productivity and soon become cluttered. Staff need space to move around and change position occasionally. Overly small office spaces could also be unsafe due to trip hazards.

Hopefully by incorporating the above tips your profit margins will escalate and your staff team will be stable.