The Underrated Secrets For Boosting Office Productivity
High productivity levels can be a game-changer for businesses, and it’s no exaggeration to say that it really can make the difference when it comes to stealing an edge over competitors.
All too often, businesses looking to enhance productivity focus on optimising workflows and identifying the next great piece of software that changes everything.
But actually, it’s often the overlooked factors that have the biggest impact. For example, it’s not just how employees work that counts, but where they do it. An office that has been set up to enhance productivity is more likely to produce positive outcomes than one that hasn’t been given the same treatment.
In this post, we’re going to run through some underrated strategies for boosting workplace productivity. And the best part? None of them require significant amounts of time or energy.
Increase Natural Light
Natural light can give a lot to a workplace. It helps to boost mood, raise energy levels, and increase focus. It’s also the number one office perk that employees want, which means it can also help to increase employee retention rates.
That’s a whole lot of good that can come from something as straightforward as increasing the amount of natural light that flows into the workplace. Upgrading the windows, moving furniture away from light access points, and placing mirrors strategically can all make a noticeable difference.
Add a Water Cooler
Did you know that even a 1% decrease in hydration can impact productivity by as much as 12%? Or that a 4% dip in hydration can impact performance by as much as 50%?
Hydration is a lot more important for maintaining concentration and focus than many employers — and employees — think. You can’t force your staff to drink more water, but you can make it easier for them to do so. Having water coolers regularly delivered to your office will ensure that employees always have access to fresh spring water. It’s a low-cost office addition that really can help to keep productivity levels high.
Upgrade Your Office Snacks
Employees love it when their employers offer free snacks in the office. However, it’s important to think about the impact that the snacks you’re supplying are having. Cookies and donuts will put a temporary smile on your employees’ faces, but they’ll be followed by a crash in energy that can obliterate productivity.
A better option is to provide energy-boosting snacks, such as those that are protein-based. Nuts, flapjacks, Greek yoghurts, and oatmeal will both be well-received by your employees and ensure they have energy all day long.
Take Care of the Noise Problem
Open-plan offices are great for collaborations and building a sense of teamwork, but they can be disastrous for engaging in focused work. Working to minimise the extent to which office noise impacts workers can make a big difference. There are a couple of ways to do this — one is to install acoustic panels on the walls, which will prevent sound from reverberating around the office, and the other is to invest in white noise machines for workers.
