Category: The Office Environment

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Strategies for Designing a Multi-Generational Work Environment

If you have a business, you most likely have a multi-generational work environment among your employees. It could comprise four generations who need to work together and co-exist peacefully. These generations are:

  • Team unity photoThe Baby Boomers: These workers were born between 1946-65. This generation has stability, responsibility, and a formality about them. They also have a sense of loyalty and value quality. Because of the economic downturn, many are putting off retirement and trying to replenish savings, or waiting until retirement funds have recovered.
  • The Generation X: These workers were born between 1966-77 and are the smallest group. In this generation, usually, both parents were working which gave this generation a strong sense of self-reliance and independence. They love results and being compensated for their time.
  • Millennials, or Gen Y: These workers were born between 1978-95. They grew up in a smaller family, are close and connected to their parents. They want leadership and are open to being mentored by senior coworkers. They’re especially good at multi-tasking and are good with technology
  • Generation Z or Generation 2020: These workers were born after 1995 and saw technology as an extension of themselves. Their interpersonal skills have gaps, but they have a strong work ethic. They desire order, predictability, and structure.

As you can see, a one size fits all will not work when setting up a work environment here when these groups are co-mingled. To get these groups to work together can take some doing. Because of the differences in ages in the groups, diversity can cause discomfort, conflict, stress, and frustration. But if a work environment is provided that’s comfortable for everyone, then they can co-exist on terms that everyone likes.

What about desks and workspace?

Denmark Adjustable Height Desk with CredenzaThe Baby Boomers have been used to sitting at a conventional desk and doing their jobs. However, with the standing desk becoming popular, more of them are requesting these. Some Baby Boomers now prefer to stand rather than sit at a traditional desk because of back pain too. Also because there is more information about what harm sedentary living can cause, getting up and moving around is popular with all the generations involved in the workplace.

So standing desks are more and more opted for because employees of all ages are requesting alternative office furniture and design space to work healthier. They’re asking for adjustable height desks, aerodynamic chairs and other things to help them work better and more comfortably.

What about office design?

Traditional office design has the dark wood furniture and the executive desk on pedestals. This type of office is distinguished looking and old school. Many Baby Boomers still like this kind of office design. However, there is a new type of furniture which is designed which is sleek with bright colors. With times changing, elegant designs are replacing the traditional type of office furniture.

Everyday 36x72 Bow Front Desk Laminate Top Upgrade Only, GrayContemporary design comes in many different colors and styles also. The furniture here can embrace comfort not just in being plush, but in the sense of being designed so that productivity can be better gained. This furniture is designed to consider how the body is at rest and when moving. Since the office furniture comes in various types of materials too, it gives an employee a chance to express personal style as well as giving them better support for their bodies.

For example, conference seats are no longer the hard wooden chairs with thin cushions to sit on. The contemporary style of seating for conference tables is for furniture that is richly luxurious and comfortable.

Another thought additionally here should be given to the open office layout as a design. Boomers may not like the open space office after using cubicles for most of their careers in the beginning, but there is a way to keep everyone happy when creating an office design, however. Here, the open offices need to have places where privacy and quiet can be found. Boomers are more prone to wanting more peaceful spaces to thinkin. Boomers who still like the traditional touch can have traditional furniture mixed with contemporary pieces too to have a more updated look in the office that everyone will enjoy working in.

Keeping all the employees happy and even the owner of the company can be a delicate business.

References:

http://www.progressiveae.com/creating-multigenerational-spaces/

https://nationalofficeinteriors.com/?s=standing+desks

https://nationalofficeinteriors.com/?s=traditional+desk

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The Benefits of Assigned Workspaces for Everyone But the Boss

Open workspaces are standard now in the business world. Everyone is sitting out in the open. They still have their own desks and everything else, but gone are the old fashioned cubicles of lore. The interaction among employees this fosters does help with projects and assignments when on teams here. But the question is, where does the boss come into play? Is it better if the boss is in the workplace, in a private office, or perhaps floating?

If you are sitting in an open plan office

Open Benching Work SpaceBecause bosses need to know what’s going on in the company, some are setting up desks in an open plan office. If you are within earshot of the employees working, you can offer advice and guidance quickly if there’s an issue. If there’s an unhappy client or customer, you can advise on how to handle the situation quickly too. The employee can settle then the issue with authority, and the client or customer is more satisfied.

When you are sitting at a desk among your staff, they feel you are more approachable. It also lets you know what’s going on in the lives of your worker from the daily chatter. It can make you feel more empathetic when problems crop up. Also, by not having to send messages to the office or go through a receptionist, challenges and issues become resolved faster.

Another point is meetings no longer need be in a conference room with everyone seated in chairs waiting for you. When you have an announcement or an issue that need to be addressed, then it can be introduced right in the workplace. It saves both time and money in the long run because it cuts back on paid overtime meetings.

If you are sitting in a private office

When you have a private office, there are benefits to this too. Sometimes business calls need to be taken in a quiet area. Being in the midst of noise and confusion won’t work. A private office is a necessary place for making important business calls.

In addition, if a meeting with an attorney or an accountant is scheduled, this is personal and confidential. Having a private office for these matters is necessary for privacy. You don’t want all the employees to know every financial aspect of the business. If the company’s fortunes are going up or down, that’s no one business but yours and the other stockholders.

Also, you do want to feel you can be approached with a problem or issue. But you are the boss, not their coworker and having a private office can help to reinforce this. When you’re on the floor, you are approachable; if you’re in your office, an employee will have to knock or make an appointment, so it feels like a step up the ladder of hierarchy.

If you’re floating around the workspace

Floating Work SpaceAnother plan is not to have any particular place to sit in the workplace when you’re on the floor. Perhaps you’re the top who likes to keep your eye on everything. It could involve you floating from department to department, checking in and seeing if there are any questions or issues which need your attention

So say you could float over to the sales department and sit at a temporary desk working on some paperwork. If one of your employees is having a problem with a sales pitch that they’re working, they will find you more approachable if you’re sitting right there. They can run it past you, see what you think, and then go and call the client or customer. It saves them from having to make an appointment to see you and helps with the customer.

Or maybe you’re sitting in on a team meeting, and there are questions about how to proceed on an important point. You can give your input then and there, and the team can continue onto the next section.

So what is the best way to do things? A lot depends on the personality of the boss. It also depends on how people interact with each other in an office. This is why you can additionally can hybrid things where you still have an office, but you float too as an example.

There is no one fits all answer here; it really depends on how your business best fits into the equation

References:

https://nationalofficeinteriors.com/?s=open+workspaces

https://nationalofficeinteriors.com/product-category/desks/

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How to Create Privacy in a Shared Office

With the open office workplace, privacy is not always easy to find. Some employees may not mind the bustle and noise, but other people may find it difficult to concentrate. The work output can be compromised as well as having some unhappy employees without some kind of privacy available.

Plus, there are four types of privacy which are sought after by employees.

  • office environmentAcoustic privacy is from noise invasion. Noise levels can affect concentration. Some people can’t think when phones are ringing, coworkers are laughing or talking loudly, or even everyone is printing off copies of something.
  • Next, is visual privacy. Visual privacy invasion is caused by something which interrupts the eye and distracts a person from work being done. It could be, for example, a constant flow of foot traffic or the feeling that everyone is watching. Or even, if colleagues are getting up and down from their seats, or everything seem to be at eye level in an office.
  • Spatial privacy is where people feel that they have workspace privacy. Feeling closed in because there isn’t enough room to work or not having a personal work space to even turn around in is the invasion here. Also, if there are too many coworkers crammed into one area, it can feel overcrowded.
  • Finally, personal privacy is having a place that is one’s own without anyone else involved on the job. This could deal with having the privacy to talk on the phone to a spouse about something personal. This is invaded when you feel like you can’t even get a drink of water by yourself to take some medicine as an example.

So, what’s the solution for the privacy factor?

Solutions to give your employees privacy when needed vary and can be used separately or together. So, glass walls provide acoustic privacy, but the visual invasion is still there because the employee can see what’s going on. Frosted glass can give optical privacy, visual and personal space privacy. Double glazed units, laminated glass, or monolithic glass are all options to eliminate and dampen noise if an area which needs to be quiet while giving the other kinds of privacy.

Glass partitions can also be used in conference rooms, as partitions, and in doorways. They can be used as room dividers, which will give privacy but still let in natural light. Glass can come in color or be colorless, brand-specific or generic.

What about fabric panels?

Mobile Panel Divider Wall in Gray FabricSome employees prefer the fabric panels of a cubicle. It creates an individual workspace which is less noisy and offers more of personal space. It can help with productivity, even though it’s just a fabric wall. It blocks out the visual distractions and brings down the acoustic levels. Also, their walls can be arranged or configured in different ways, so there is flexibility in an office layout.

Choosing the right fabric walls for use in the workplace is a decision which needs to be thought about carefully though. The style needs to fit the brand of the company and benefit the work environment. The layout needs to be laid out for the most efficiency. All this will contribute to how the employees perform and whether it increases production.

If the issues of acoustic invasion, visual disruption, feeling closed in or not having personal privacy, then something needs to be done about it. With the choice of glass partitions or fabric panels, either of these two options will work. For some employees, open workplace areas aren’t productive, they need quiet and privacy to concentrate.

Another option if an open workspace is the layout of the business, is to install areas where privacy can be found. Spaces can be made to promote quiet and confidentiality. It could be a glass panel area where an employee can sit and work if they wish too. Glass panels can be on wheels for mobility if needed.

Or, individual cubicles with fabric panels for an employees looking to get away from the bustle of the office. These can also be one on wheels which can be moved from area to area.

Not all employees can work in a busy, noisy office; areas should be allotted for those who need privacy and quiet to work.

References:

https://nationalofficeinteriors.com/product/6-x-6-equity-work-stations-by-knoll-dark-gray-599-each/

https://nationalofficeinteriors.com/product/herman-miller-my-studio-environments-used-cubicles-pod-of-3-1700-each-station/

https://nationalofficeinteriors.com/?s=fabric+panels

https://nationalofficeinteriors.com/?s=glass+panels

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Improving the Breakroom

The humble breakroom is often overlooked along with its actual importance for employee morale. The breakroom is named as such though because of its intended purpose; it’s a place where the employees can take mental and physical breaks from work. So, if you want your work team to be satisfied and productive at work, you need to create a space where the employees can relax, sit together and enjoy each other’s company. This also encourages friendships which carry over to the collaboration done in the office as well.

What makes a great breakroom?

Falcon 1900 Series Used 36 Inch Square Folding Cafe Table, Gray SpeckleTo create a breakroom which meets the above requirements, you can do different things. Choosing a paint for the walls that’s relaxing and having comfortable seating with tables and chairs are two things that you can do. If you have a enough space, creating a few separate spaces for employees who like to relax by themselves or gather their thoughts can be a morale booster.

Additionally, the way you decorate your breakroom can make a big difference. You can add wall art that’s soothing or fun, some books or even a TV. A few plants, whether artificial or real, can give the room a back to nature feel too. Adding a refrigerator, a microwave or small stove, a sink, counters and a cupboard will give the room a cozy at home feeling also. The cupboards should have dishes, cups and silverware as well. Tables, chairs and sofas add to the coverall comfort and usability of the space. To create more function in the breakroom, include nesting/folding tables, so they can be easily moved to the side for gatherings.

Herman Miller Caper Used Mobile Stack Chair, Yellow and GrayIn addition to all of this, if your breakroom is large enough it can be a great place for celebrations and parties as well. Birthday celebrations, promotions or even a spread to celebrate the success of a completed project can be enjoyed by all in the breakroom. Also, there should be a maintenance schedule for the breakroom and for the appliances in it to be cleaned either by employees or maintenance.

A separate place

The breakroom should be physically separated from the rest of the office or offices. If not, and the employees can see others taking break, this can cause potential distractions. You can use room dividers, barriers, or curtains if you don’t have a separate room for this. Make the room stand out so that it feels like a different part of the building.

This is good because the breakroom isn’t just about being compassionate to your employees. A workforce that can unwind for a bit in a breakroom means money in the pockets of a business. A workforce that can’t unwind like this tends to have higher turnover rates, costing resources from profits to be used to hire and train new people more often.

Freebees

Free coffee should be a staple in your breakroom. Along with the coffee there should be cream, sugar; cups and stirrers. If you have tea drinkers, tea should be free as well. Free coffee and tea are good incentives for your workers because moderate caffeine use improves focus, attention spans and gives a boost to mental energy as well. Plus, coffee and tea aren’t overly expensive for the return that you’ll get from them. In addition to coffee and tea too, provide water that’s either filtered or bottled, for free so that your employees can stay hydrated during their work shifts. Keeping it cold is an extra bonus.

Staff Enjoying a BreakOther options for freebees could include healthy food being offered. It would be considered an extra by your employees, but the benefit to you is avoiding the afternoon slump of employees. So, with healthy snacks such as vegetables, nuts, yogurt and whole grains; this can curb employee hunger without them having sugar crashes. This will increase productivity.

Ask your employees

A breakroom which is great has features which the employees have asked for. The best way to find out what your employees would like in the breakroom is to just ask them. You could hang a comment box in the breakroom for suggestions on changes or improvements additionally. Then use the suggestions which are the most feasible. This shows your employees that you value their opinions.

If you make an effort where feasible to make a breakroom a place where your employees can be more relaxed and be refreshed, afterwards you will be rewarded with happier and more productive employees.

References:
http://smallbiztrends.com/2016/11/employee-break-room-ideas.html
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/improve-employee-break-room-21314.html

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Reception Seating for a Broad Audience

Steelcase Criterion Mid-Back Series Used Task Chair, Purple

Your reception area is the first impression visitors have of your office. Most offices use standard reception seating with a few comfortable chairs and tables. If your company has a broad audience, including people of many different ages, capabilities and needs, you’ll need to adjust your ideas about appropriate reception seating. The old comfortable chair model won’t fit for a broad audience and you should consider some creative ideas. These include changes to seating and providing amenities for visitors.

Everyday Series and Bay ChairsYour chairs should be a primary concern. You’ve probably made an effort to provide comfortable chairs for visitors or at least you think you have. What’s comfortable for one person may be very uncomfortable for someone else. Many people suffer from arthritis and other joint conditions that make it challenging for them to get up and down from low chairs. Typically, most reception chairs are low and aren’t adjustable.

Fortunately, you can offer a variety of types of chairs. There are tall chairs, almost like stools, with backs that can be covered in the same upholstery as your other reception chairs. Some reception areas place these chairs by counters so that the people sitting in them can use their computers or write like other people use tables. Higher chairs make it easier for people with joint problems to sit and stand with as little discomfort as possible.

You should also keep in mind the needs of people in wheelchairs. There should be areas in the reception area for people in wheelchairs to fit. They shouldn’t have to squeeze into odd-shaped or uncomfortable areas because there isn’t a designated space for them.

There’s always a chance that your visitors will have to wait. You should avoid delays as much as possible, but due to the nature of some businesses, emergencies may be inevitable. Sometimes, you are planning a group meeting and you have to wait on another person which causes a delay. In other cases, vendors arrive with vague appointments, hoping to speak to you if you have some time. Other people arrive significantly early. This is especially true for people who are interviewing for jobs. You should make your reception room welcoming so that if people have to wait, they won’t be uncomfortable.

It’s a great perk to have bathrooms in the reception areas so that you don’t have to let visitors into the secure areas of the building to use the restroom. There should be separate restrooms for men and women. It’s fine if the bathrooms only fit one person unless you have a large number of visitors on a regular basis. It’s imperative that the bathrooms are handicap accessible. In fact, it’s a legal requirement.

A reception room with small conveniences is pleasant for visitors. What kinds of small conveniences can you include? Charging stations are always appreciated for laptops, mobile devices and cellular phones. A phone with an outside line is helpful in case the person doesn’t have a phone or the phone doesn’t have good access in the building. If people are waiting, they’ll appreciate the opportunity to get some work done or catch up on their emails. Make sure that you have wireless access for visitors in the office. The access should be separate from your company’s wireless accounts. Create a guest wireless account that visitors can log into.

Beverages are another amenity that you can provide. They are a small gesture that signifies the importance of providing hospitality to guests. Make bottled water, coffee, hot water and a variety of teas available in the waiting room. Ask receptions to encourage visitors to take advantage of these amenities. Some companies go the extra mile and provide soft drinks as well. Encourage guests to bring the beverages along to meetings if they don’t have the chance to finish them in the waiting room.

You can put out small treats for visitors like mints, candy, nuts, small bags of chips and other types of snacks. Even if guests don’t eat them, it sends a message of hospitality. Another tactic is to put reading materials on tables. Include a variety of magazines and trade publications. You can also include some promotional materials for your company. Don’t exclusively put out your own company’s materials, although it’s fine to put out related trade publications and business magazines.

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Adding Art to the Office

Artwork is an important part of the design of any office. Adding artwork can be a fun part of putting together a new office or revamping an older one. There are many important considerations when choosing art for the office. Obviously, your own taste is important. This is not, however, the only consideration. The appearance of your office sends a message to anyone who visits. It also affects employees’ perception of the office. That’s why you should consider several factors when choosing artwork. These include color, constraint and theming. These elements will help you find the right art for your office.

Color sends a lot of messages. Darker colors can be depressing. However, if they are blending subtly with slightly brighter colors, they can imply trustworthiness, dependability, expertise and trustworthiness. If your company deals in an industry where these qualities are valued, your colors should be in line with these messages. If your business deals with more creative or modern elements, you can make use of brighter colors and designs.

Theme is an important part of selecting artwork. Your office should have some kind of theme and the artwork should help tie it together. Some people select the artwork first and build the office theme around the art. However, this is not an option for everyone. You may have an office decor you like and want the artwork to fit in. In other cases, you may want to promote a particular theme through the artwork. If you are confused about how to do this, consider consulting an interior designer for help. Designers are knowledgeable about artwork and interiors and can help you set the right tone.

There are a variety of themes you can consider for your office. Some common themes include inspiration, professionalism and motivation. Other themes are designed to reduce stress and often include waterfronts, beaches, mountain scenes, flowers and plants. For more professional themes, you might consider still life, architecture or prints by well-known artists. If your office theme is more vibrant, there are many options. Consider vintage advertisements, music prints, famous people, abstract art and colorful prints by local artists. When your theme is motivational, you’ll have a wide variety of choices. Avoid artwork that repeats over-used motivational phrases. Instead, find pieces that approach motivation from an unusual perspective.

Consider one of the most popular types of artwork for your office. Photography can capture a wide range of themes. Black and white or color photography can be extremely effective in setting a particular mood. You can purchase prints of many famous pieces of photography. Pictures can also reflect your company’s growth and accomplishments. For example, you could regularly take pictures of your team and enlarge the pictures and post them in prominent places. Some companies take pictures of their founders and original business sites to reflect the company’s growth over the years. If your organization has offices in a variety of locations, consider posting photographs of each location. These are some great ways to use photography as artwork in the office.

Restraint is the key to finding the right artwork for your office. There are lots of attractive, brightly- colored and fun pieces of artwork available. The question is “ are they right for your office? If your business is serious and you want to send a message that you are reliable, professional and respectable, fun artwork is not the best choice for your office. You need pieces that are sedate and blend in with the furniture, wall colors and flooring. A conservative office is not the place for whimsical artwork.

If your company’s business is creative, you can select brightly colored artwork and take a more whimsical approach. Creative artwork sends the message that your company can meet the creative needs of clients. Many graphic design, software and non-traditional marketing firms use artwork to convey their unique approach to client needs. In this case, less restraint is necessary. However, it’s still important to think about the message your artwork sends. Think about the client’s perspective and make sure your artwork isn’t over the top or confusing. Above all, don’t use art that could be offensive. You may need more than one opinion to ensure that your artwork won’t send the wrong message.

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How to Reconfigure Spaces When Teams Change

When teams change, it can be stressful for everyone, especially if the team has been together for a long period of time. In modern workplaces, change is unavoidable. New projects come along and they require different skill sets. What worked for one project might not work for another. Team members may have to cope with the separation of long-term co-workers and changes in management. When this happens, managers have to deal with the stress of the remaining team.

The team needs to make a fresh start and let go of their comfort with the past. Often, team building exercises, group meetings and potluck lunches can go a long way towards helping with new group bonding. Some managers set up one-on-one meetings between new co-workers so that they can learn more about each other. They can discuss their skill sets, experience and goals for moving forward. Depending on the number of co-workers, these meetings can take time, but they’re often extremely helpful.

If everything in the office environment stays exactly the same, it may send the message to employees that they don’t have to adapt. That’s why it’s important to change the environment to reflect the new team’s configuration. Desks, cubicles, meeting tables and other elements can easily be changed to send the message that it’s time to move forward with the new team arrangement.

How should you reconfigure the space? The first priority is to make it completely different than the space that existed before. Some team members may remain from the previous team. There’s always a possibility that they could form cliques if you’re not careful. One of the things on your list should be to separate these team members and have them sit next to new people.

Consider workflow and productivity. The new team may need to communicate in different ways. Make sure that the way employees are grouped makes it easy for them to access the individuals they need to talk with most often. This should be one of the major considerations in seating arrangements. You may also need to rethink your place in the office. Do you need to sit closer to employees so they can access you quickly? In some industries, this makes sense. In other businesses, if you’re too close to employees, they’re often intimidated.

Collaboration should be another concern for your new team. Do they have an area to collaborate on projects? If not, create one. You can accomplish this even if you’re on a tight budget. You don’t need to buy an abundance of new office furniture or completely remodel the office to create a collaboration space. All you need is a table and some chairs where team members can meet. This area should be located away from other team members’ work spaces so that meetings won’t interrupt their work. If you have an extra office available, that’s great, but if you don’t you can simply move the collaboration space as far away from other team members as possible. If you have the furniture to create more than one collaboration space, do it if you can. The more collaboration areas you have, the better.

If you have the opportunity to order new furniture, look for tables that can be configured into several different shapes. This will allow team members to create appropriate collaboration spaces for different kinds of meetings. It’s an extra perk if you can incorporate charging stations for laptops and other devices. Many of these tables also have cutouts that allow for speakerphones and other types of communication devices.

You may have the option of completely changing the way people sit. For example, you could create a separate area for private, quiet work for individuals who need to concentrate. They can avoid interruptions in these areas. Then, you can create a separate area for individuals who need to interact with colleagues on a regular basis. Workstations don’t have to be permanent. People can change their seating based on their current needs.

When you make major changes to the style of the work environment, you will help change the expectations of the team. They’ll forget the past more quickly because things look and feel so different. Their interactions will change dramatically along with their expectations.

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Creating a Motivational Space

Motivation is a complicated issue. It involves many different factors such as management style, team structure, feedback style, goals and job fit. Motivation also may include office culture, potential for growth within the company and many other factors. It’s impossible to list all the things that can motivate employees. As an employer, you need to address as many motivational issues as possible. One of those is the space that your employees work in. If you can create a motivational space, it will work wonders on your employees.

Think about some of the least motivating places you’ve ever worked. The colors were likely drab and dull. People were separated and cut off by cubicles with full walls. Office areas were simply rows and rows of cubicles. There were few areas for interaction among employees. You felt separated from everyone and almost like you were alone. Workplaces like this are simply depressing. If you want to motivate employees, you need to avoid creating a space like this. Instead, strive to create a space that increases interaction and reduces feelings of isolation.Tablet arm chairs

A first step is to create areas where employees can meet informally such as lunchrooms and break rooms. These areas allow people to relax and unwind. They can talk with their colleagues about something other than work. Larger companies often have cafeterias that offer a wide selection of food.

They usually have extended hours so that employees on different schedules can stop by for breakfast and lunch. Some cafeterias even offer dinner, depending on the company’s schedule. Another similar perk some workplaces offer are coffee stands with gourmet coffees. Most of these stands offer muffins, scones and other small treats in addition to coffee. Employees can visit the coffee bars on breaks. Sometimes, teams may get coffee and meet afterwards. Managers and employees may do the same thing when meeting. It creates a more informal environment. Keep in mind that employees will pay for food and drinks at cafeterias and food stands which helps defray some of the costs involved.

Dark spaces are de-motivating. Brighter spaces will help you achieve more motivation. If possible, pull down barriers around windows so that plenty of light is available in the office. If your office doesn’t have a lot of windows, place lamps in strategic areas around the office. Consider providing each worker with a lamp for his or her desk space. The brightness will help employees stay alert and engaged throughout the day.

Open areas in the office can be motivating if they are used appropriately. Employees need some space for private work. However, open spaces with tables and group desks help build collaboration among employees. This can be extremely motivating in the right circumstances. Workers can talk openly about projects rather than relying on emails and playing phone tag. Group conversations can stimulate new ideas and excitement about projects which can ultimately lead to improved work.

A workspace that recognizes achievements can be extremely motivating. There are a variety of ways you can do this. Never put up charts that promote employee competition with statistics. Instead, recognize the best employee achievements of the week with congratulatory signs. Announce special accomplishments not only in person but with public certificates, plaques or other awards. Make a special effort to recognize all achievements, not just those by certain employees or teams.

Many workplaces use motivational quotes and posters to help improve the attitudes of team members. This can work well if it’s done effectively. However, many motivational posters are overused and employees have seen them dozens of times. Some employers put up a poster and leave it up for years. It’s important to take a fresh approach. Find unusual posters or quotes and rotate them throughout the company so employees don’t look at the same thing for years.

You can also ask team members to provide inspirational quotes for the office on a rotating basis. Individuals can find quotes that inspire them and submit the quotes for approval. They can create them on design software and print them out on high-end paper. You can hang them in the office for a designated amount of time. After that time, another team member can create the next inspirational quote for the office.

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New Power Grommets on the Morgan Series

Have you ever been in a meeting with a group of people and every single one of them needed a power outlet? This is becoming a common situation in the modern work world. People need to charge laptops, phones and handheld devices in order to participate in meetings. With older conference tables, you would be scrambling to plug everyone’s equipment in. Some people would not be able to plug their computers or devices and they would run completely out of batteries.

Morgan Executive Left Return Melamine L Shape Desk, Black and White

Situations like this can make meetings very inefficient. In modern office settings, most people keep their information on their computers or handheld devices. Most people don’t sit at their desks for long periods of time, so their devices need to be charged on a regular basis. Although batteries are becoming more and more efficient, they still don’t last forever. When people are in meetings, it’s not unusual for them to access important information on their devices in order to participate effectively. If they can’t charge their devices, they will have serious problems. Most meeting rooms have a limited number of outlets. In addition, the outlets aren’t usually situated a convenient place. They’re usually against walls or behind furniture People shouldn’t have to huddle in corners to use their computers or handheld devices while they’re charging. If a conference call or Skype conversation is taking place, it makes it all but impossible for people to participate.

These situations have led power and communications systems being installed in office furniture. These systems are referred power or data grommets. Power grommets are convenient outlets for cables that make life much easier for office workers. They provide added functionality to conference tables so that they can be used for charging and multimedia functions.

It’s not just the lack of charging stations that cause problems in meetings. The lack of appropriate cables and connectors would also be disruptive. Many modern meetings include audio-visual elements. It’s not unusual for meetings to include Skype so that people at other locations around the world can fully participate in the meeting. People expect a variety of different elements, depending on the topic of the meeting, such as livestreaming video, music, sophisticated graphics, integrated design elements and much more. To meet expectations, your conference room needs to be set up to accommodate modern equipment.

The Morgan series of furniture now has added functionality in addition to its attractive design. The goSit brand Racetrack Conference Tables and desks now feature power grommets. These modern conference tables and desks are available in a variety of attractive laminate colors including gray, black, teak, white and zebra. The zebra lines also offers powered desks and tables in wood veneer. The Morgan line hosts a wide range of desk and conference table options perfect for the whole office, including 6 foot, 8 foot, 10 foot and 12 foot.

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Creating a Motivational Space

Motivating employees is on every executive’s mind. They are constantly looking for techniques to inspire employees and help them feel engaged in the workplace. The truth is that motivation is complicated. There is no one way to inspire employees and therein lies the difficultly. Workers need to be motivated in a variety of ways. These include their involvement in team projects, their ability to achieve goals, the sense of contributing to company goals, the atmosphere they work in and many other factors. Analyzing motivational factors should be an ongoing process to ensure that employees feel engaged. Company and project circumstances change on a regular basis so it’s important to stay on top of employee engagement constantly.

Herman Miller Everywhere Used 42x42 Collaboration Table, GrayCollaboration is a key part of modern workplaces. People typically work on teams and these groups needs places they can meet together as a team. Sometimes these teams change on a rapid basis so it doesn’t make sense to seat the people together permanently. This is why it’s important to create collaboration areas in the workplace in several different places around the company. Often, these are large tables configured for meetings. These tables also double as workstations and allow team members to hook up computers and other necessary technology for project work. These collaboration areas allow employees to work together easily.

When collaboration is simplified, it contributes to team motivation. Employees are able to get to know their team members well. They learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses so that they know who to turn to during particular project challenges. Communication is simplified so that employees don’t have to deal with the frustration of dealing with multiple emails and phone calls to deal with simple issues. They can resolve problems quickly and simply through immediate conversations. They can brainstorm and come up with exciting new ideas on the spot in their collaboration area. Team members don’t have to schedule meetings to keep one another updated on basic information. They can connect quickly and easily. When it’s time for a project team or a department to regroup, the collaboration area can quickly be disbanded, reconfigured or repurposed for another group.

It may surprise you to learn that privacy can also be motivating for employees. Why? Because it is so hard to come by in an office environment. Privacy can be a rare commodity. Everyone needs privacy sometimes. The chance to be alone is necessary for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, people just need to recharge their batteries. Perhaps they need to have private conversations or make phone calls they don’t want others to overhear. Employees feel that their company cares about them if they have a private area for these types of needs.

Privacy is also important when it comes to accomplishing goals. Employees feel motivated when they are able to complete their projects and achieve the goals their managers have set for them and the goals they’ve set for themselves. Often, workers need a private place to work uninterrupted so that they can finish their projects in a timely manner. Collaboration is important, but employees need time to think, plan and analyze. If they don’t have these opportunities, they will feel frustrated and overwhelmed. That’s why a private area to work will motivate employees.

Steelcase Move Stack ChairsWhat about motivational quotes? They’re popular in many workplaces. Do they really work? They can if they are used correctly. It’s important that the quotes aren’t overused motivational posters that everyone’s seen. The motivational quotes need to be relevant to the company and the type of projects that employees work on. Motivational quotes can be on posters, plaques, screen savers, white boards, television monitors and other easily viewed areas. Not only should the motivational quotes be unique, they shouldn’t stay in the same place for too long, otherwise, employees won’t notice them after a while. Rotate motivational quotes on a regular basis so that everyone has the chance to see something new.

Many corporations stick with bland, generic colors in their offices. They try to ensure that the office has a professional look. However, many of these colors tend to be dull and uninspiring for the people that sit around them. Consider using more inspirational and fun colors in the office. Consult with a designer to find colors that will motivate people instead of making the office drab and dull.