Category: Coworking

Ah, working remotely. There’s no arguing that working outside of the office – maybe even at home – can be as awesome as it sounds. Imagine, not having to wake up at an ungodly hour, no longer needing to dredge through traffic, and being able to unabashedly binge-watch your favorite shows as you draft an important presentation while still wearing your favorite PJs – awesome, right?

There’s certainly a case or two to be made for working remotely, but it’s also not difficult to see how things can easily turn south if you’re not careful. You might wake up too late, and miss a meeting or waste too much of the day. You might get too hooked up on the show’s current arc, and not notice the hours passing by. You might even get too comfortable during a virtual meeting, and actually fall asleep.

But with just a few tweaks to your remote work setup, you can easily be just as productive outside the office as you are inside, and maybe even more. Here are four tips to get the job done whether you’re in coat-and-tie or your pajamas.

Set Realistic Goals

When you’re not hemmed in by a 9-to-5 work day, it’s easy to think that you have all of 24 hours to do nothing but work. In reality, humans aren’t wired that way, and in between doing your reports and emailing your boss and clients, there are a myriad of other little things that could chip away at your time.

Allot a portion of the day when you would do nothing but work, much like you would if you were in an office. You could break this down into segments, and schedule them when you’re most productive.

If you’re a night owl, for example, you could use two to three hours in the morning to do the less mentally-exhaustive tasks like catching up on emails or scheduling meetings. You could sit down for the remaining hours later at night when your brain is fully prepared to do some heavy work. There’s also the added bonus that these hours are typically the quietest, when people are getting ready to tuck in.

More importantly, figure out precisely what you should be doing in those allotted hours. Be smart about your To-Do List.

If you feel like you have many tasks to do, first list down all the work that needs to get done, then start a fresh To-Do List. From your bigger, less organized list, figure out which is the one thing that you must absolutely finish that day, and write that down on your new To-Do List. Only when you’ve accomplished your top priority should you start adding more. This way, you actually clear out the things you actually have to do, rather than be overwhelmed by tasks you can accomplish at a later date.

As an added bonus, and an easy pick-me-up, you can also start a Done List. In this list, you write down the things you’ve already accomplished, whether it’s a work task or a personal errand. Having a Done List can really make you feel productive about your day.

Block Distractions

If you’ve ever found offices too boring or dull, it’s for a very good – and obvious – reason: offices are designed to get you to focus on work by keeping distractions to a minimum. But when you work outside, it’s up to you to deal with distractions.

Start with the obvious: social media, games, and whatever series or movies you’re currently bringing on.

Download app blockers on your phone, like Offtime (paid) or Flipd (free) to crack down on your unproductive phone hours.

Install a similar distraction-blockers on your laptap, leaving only the bare necessities like single emails or one comms channel (think Skype, Viber, etc.)

Keep your phone out of reach too, like at the very bottom of your bag, in a drawer away from you, or in another room altogether.

The trick is to be realistic about your time out: going for eight full hours without a quick social media break might be counterproductive when you get too distracted about what you could potentially miss out on, so it’s better to schedule shorter increments like three or four hours of work time, and allow yourself the occasional 30-minute window for social media, snacks, and bathroom breaks.

Fix Your Space

You need a dedicated working space. Your productivity can really suffer if you constantly have to find various nooks and crannies at home to work, or if your “work area” is also used by other people for a variety of other things.

Set up a space at home that is specifically for you to do work in, and make sure your housemates respect that space, too. Let them know not to bother you when you’re using that space, unless it’s absolutely urgent.

Your workstation should also ideally not have to double as anything else other than a place for you to work, but if you or someone else needs that extra floor space, be sure to clear it up immediately afterward so you can readily return to your work.

And even if your station only carries your work things, make sure to regularly clean it up. Clutter can be distracting, even distressing, and can not only hamper your productivity, but also start affecting your health should it start piling up (think cockroaches and other nasties). Only have the essentials out when you work: your laptop, notebook, the documents you need, a bottle of water, and the occasional snack. Anything else goes to your drawers or cubbies.

Don’t Just Stay At Home

They say that complacency breeds failure, and if there’s one place on earth you’re almost guaranteed to be complacent, it’s your home.

Your home is where you’re most comfortable in, where you can simply relax and unwind, sit back and take a break after a hard day’s work. Most homes are not designed to be places of work, which is why it’s actually imperative to get out of your house every so often to keep up your productivity – especially if you work remotely on a regular basis.

Consider investing in a spot at a co-working space. Co-working spaces are designed to have all the functionality of traditional offices, but retain the flexibility inherent to remote working.

In Ortigas, WeRemote and other similar spaces are equipped with amenities like desks, meeting rooms, power sockets, a solid internet connection, and even a well-stocked pantry, all to recreate the aspects of traditional office stations that best boost productivity, but without the conventional restrictions of fixed work hours.

You can clock in whenever you want, and go to the “office” as often or as seldom as you like in a week, all depending on your contract. In these spaces, you’re surrounded by others who are in a similar position and situation as you, making for a highly supportive environment where you can even easily network with potential partners and clients.

With a co-working space, you can work remotely without the usual distractions of home. And with the conducive working environment, you can be assured you won’t feel like you’re wasting any time while you’re there.

Recap

Before we say goodbye and send you off back to work, here’s a quick review of our top productivity tips for remote workers.

• Set realistic goals. Prioritize the one thing you must absolutely finish that day, then work on the rest when you’re done.
• Block distractions. Deactivate apps on your phone and block websites on your laptop, but don’t forget to allow yourself the occasional break.
• Fix your space. Clean up your area and get rid of distracting clutter. And if you’re working remotely often enough –
• Consider investing in a spot at a co-working space. Having a dedicated office space, without the stifling restrictions that come with traditional office setups, can make you more motivated to work and increase your productivity.

There are innumerable benefits to working remotely, but it can be tough to stay productive when you’re working in a place that’s not designed for that. Boosting your productivity can be a simple matter of making the right To-Do Lists or relocating to a nice, comfortable spot.

Follow these tips and let us know how your workday goes!

Conversations are supposed to be fun. They involve personal interactions between two or more people about something of interest. But many people worry about having conversations. They are concerned that they won’t be able to keep the conversation going, or about what they will say. Keeping a conversation going is something of an art and one which many of us now seem to lack especially with the presence of technology nowadays.

Communication skills are important regardless of whether you’re working alongside a great coworking community of full-time colleagues or sharing space with individual remote workers. Even if you belong to any language or any specific field, communication is necessary. It’s a way of interacting with each other. Engage yourself with them. Ask fellow coworkers a question, and encourage them to call out their thoughts to establish friendships.

Listed below are few encouraging ways to improve your conversation skills in the coworking space:

Socialize outside

By getting to know coworkers outside of work, you will develop rich relationships that can actually help improve your career while talking on different things. When you connect with people outside of a business context, you have the opportunity to get to know them on a deeper personal level and can ask them about their skills, hobbies, what they’re currently up to and anything that you can relate together.

Coworking spaces would usually hold a series of events that allow its diverse members to learn from one another. From presentations, workshops, networking events and even happy hours, all of these activities are conceptualized as an avenue for co-workers to freely socialize and celebrate at the same time. As a member of the space, take advantage of the said gatherings. Socializing with coworkers is essential for you. It helps you and your career in multiple ways. It boosts your communication skills and helps you build trust in like-minded individuals.

Be brief and effective

If you attend any event with your coworkers, it will be better to keep your conversation brief and focused so they don’t get bored. When you’re too long-winded, your listener will quickly become bored and tune you out. Have the restraint to trim down your message and say fewer, but clearer and more concise words. This will spark the listener’s interest, and he or she will actively want to hear more from you.

Avoid over drinking

For some, it’s a natural way to bond with people that you probably spend more time with than your significant other. For others, that time is already more than enough. And there is also the question of behavior, of course. Drinking is a common social activity. People meet with friends or coworkers over drinks at the end of a workday to decompress. However, irresponsible social drinking could spur problems. Alcohol can often lead to situations that would be merely embarrassing in private life but are devastating to career. To avoid problems, social drinkers must know their limits.

Avoid bashing

Always be careful about what you say and avoid mentioning names, particularly in a negative context. Embarrassing your colleagues in the workplace can decrease morale and lead to an unhappy work environment. In order to cope, you must first ask yourself why it’s happening, then make a decision on how you want to respond. If you feel the need to bring up an issue with a colleague and the only way is to do it publicly, think twice before taking action. Communication is the key to creating a happy and productive workplace. So use your words wisely and take action in a respectful way.

Volunteering

Some coworking spaces will coordinate volunteer activities to give back to the community. Joining one is a worthwhile experience since it fosters a positive perspective in life and it’s a good way to revive yourself busy schedule. At the same time, friendships are molded during the volunteering experience.

Never skip outings

Quarterly happy hours can be a great way to get together without creating an overwhelming demand for busy schedules. Going outside will develop self-confidence, which is very important for being productive. Along with having loads of fun and enjoyment, get-togethers like these encourage conversation.

Summary

There are many ways to improve your conversation skills. The tips we mentioned above are just a few of the many things. What matters most is that you focus on company culture and integrate it into your workday. This can be a great way to feel more connected to each other and the organization itself. Make socialization as part of your system already. You will meet and learn from people and at the same time, the experiences built together are worthwhile.

Workplace perks can be a great way to increase loyalty to your company and could even help you secure talent in the first place.  Employee engagement is at the heart of enabling a productive workforce. More and more perks are being thrown at employees to keep them motivated.

With flexible work schedules high on the list of employee desires, companies are responding by either offering flexibility as a perk, or by providing solutions that get at the reason behind this demand.

Why Perks Matter

Companies trying to build and sustain highly profitable businesses want to motivate good employees to stay.  Enjoying the job and being happy at work is one of the best ways to improve productivity. Having happy employees also results in financial gains for the business. It promotes a better work/life balance. Perks and benefits can help create a work environment that is positive and caring. Another benefit of coworking is the potential for networking. The people that you meet at a coworking space could be looking for your kind of work and/or they could be great resources down the road.

Listed below are some of the workplace perks that can benefit most to the employees.

Pet-Friendly Offices

Many studies have shown the positive impact animals can have, so why not let people bring their beloved pets into the office?

Offices that allow pets are great for everybody. Pet owners get to relieve a major stressor on what to do with their pets while they’re at work. Also, the other employees or coworkers get the benefit of being surrounded by furry friends who are basically happiness generators. And hey, why not offer free pet food, too? Because even if it’s not one of our top five perks, food is still appreciated by humans and fluffy buddies alike.

Free Food

Absolutely, food has a role to play in a happy workplace. Having access to it in the office helps workers save time and connect with their colleagues. According to the Harvard Business Review, employees can consume one or several meals plus snacks during work hours. People can work in an office setting for years and only get to know the people who work at a desk or two away from them. Companies have found that offering free food such as holding Pizza Fridays or Doughnut Tuesdays is a good way to break down these walls and allow different departments to socialize in a work setting.

Other companies offer free food on a daily basis. For companies that can afford it, free breakfasts and lunches are perks that employees love.

Parking

For companies based in major cities, it can be hard for employees to find parking. A successful business is one that attracts customers and keeps them coming back. Everything about a business should aim for that goal. Despite having a great line-up of products and excellent service, not every business achieves that goal because of one simple, yet fairly common problem: a lack of parking space and failing to offer valet parking service.

Nobody likes to drive around the block several times to find a space to park, it could potentially drive clients away to look for a similar business with better parking space options.

Fitness

Companies are increasingly offering in-office benefits like yoga in the mornings or pilates after work. One business, Practice Fusion, gave its employees Fitbits to track their fitness progress. Meanwhile, Pentland Brands has an on-site swimming pool, fitness facilities, and an outdoor soccer/football field to encourage employees to exercise in a fun way.

Health Insurance

There are perks that come with health insurance on the employer side as well. Companies benefit from reduced absenteeism due to illness as well as higher engagement due to the fact that employer-sponsored health insurance gives employees a sense that they are cared for and appreciated.

Medical benefits can also include dental and mental health benefits. Some companies even organize free dental days where dentists come into the office and employees can schedule cleanings or fillings.

Performance Bonus

Performance bonuses give employees a sense of ownership and control.

It helps motivate them in their work and gives them a tangible ownership stake in their role. If they perform and hit their goals, they will receive a reward – one that they both earned and deserve.

Daycare Support

Parents are working at flexible hours, so they also need more flexible childcare. Some workspaces are taking this to the next level by providing a space with a childcare component. With this, it offers a community-work environment where parents can sit with like-minded adults engaging in work while offering quality childcare. Offering employees some form of childcare support can be an effective way of keeping professionals around for long.

Common problems only with this include finding appropriate locations, rental prices, and childcare facility requirements

Does your office offer one of these life-changing perks? Or something even better? Let us know.

A coworking space is beyond the definition of a shared workspace. It is a flexible and thriving community of different yet like-minded people who seek beyond the confines of an office organization. The rise of coworking industry is more than just a hype or a trend. It has become a lifestyle of choice by many who believe on its benefits.

But imagine, all different people from different faces of business working in one space, wouldn’t it be a riot? This is one of the valid questions anyone would ask. However, no matter how different it is from traditional  office setup, coworking spaces has a code of conduct, which can be either understood or clearly laid out. To tackle it properly, here is a list of 10 essential etiquette rules in coworking spaces that may be unwritten but still be observed.

1.) Keep Noise Down

The first thing that you should be mindful of is your volume. With different organizations working on different projects, things can be distracting. During group or teamwork, remember to keep to keep noise at a respectful level because other people are using the space for individual work. If you think you are getting passionate about the topic you have with someone at the other end of the line, find a better place to have a proper conversation. If you want to listen to music, use your headphones instead. There is no need to turn your phone to silent mode, but just turning down the ringer volume would do. Avoid slamming doors or anything when you have a bad day. Try to be aware of your surroundings and keep the noise level down.

2.) Be Timely

By prolonging your meeting or taking too long to wrap up a call will probably cause a delay for everyone who else need to use that rented space. They have paid for that space and you are now costing them money. If your meeting is running over, move it elsewhere or wrap it up and schedule a continuation. This initiative will prevent tensions with other people and organizations in a shared space. That is why, time management is crucial when booking a meeting room in a shared workspace.

3.) Self Service

For the benefit of you, other members, and the staff, it’s important you try to be self-sufficient as possible. Having to rely on the staff or the members frequently on using some of the equipment can slow you down. It will be best to figure out on how to solve your own problems as your learning experience.

4.) Clean Up After Yourself

Basic etiquette rule. For the sake of the staff and for the sake of other members, leave the workspace as if nobody used it. Workers come and go throughout the day, you should make sure to keep your workstation clean, tidy, and dry. No one likes to deal with a mess left behind by a coworker, so make sure to toss your coffee cup, spare napkins , and wipe off any coffee stains before leaving.

5.) Respect Boundaries

Both on the physical and emotional level, respect other people’s space. If you see someone immersed on their work or using headphones, don’t distract them for no reason. You should be considerate of other areas, like for example, if a kitchen area is also a place for people on laptops, then be mindful of talking too loud. With different organizations inside a shared space, be sure to be aware of other people’s work expectations so that you don’t overstep and cause discord.

Avoid touching, eating, and using anything that is not yours. If it can’t be helped, ask the owners permission first before using something. If by instance you’re borrowing an office supply, make sure that you will have your own of such items to avoid repeated borrowing.

6.) Don’t Overuse Service or Amenities

This includes overbooking conference rooms and locking others out, using all the paper in the copy machine, and using a space that is assigned to someone else. Remember to practice etiquette rules, just use your allowed space and use the conference rooms for the time you only need it. If you have a large bundle of papers to print, let people know. That way people can print the one or two pages they need in advance. This way, it will prevent mishaps and frustrations. As the shared equipment are available for all, learn not to overuse them.

7.) Connect and Collaborate

The best amenity within the coworking space is the opportunity to collaborate. Take the time to introduce yourself, explain your business, and get to know everyone within the space. Being friendly will help you to expand your network and meet new people business contracts. You can make a lot of opportunities if you know how to blend in with different professionals in the coworking space.

8.) Make Space for your Management

Some business matters needs to handle behind closed doors. There is a right space for every organization. It is not appropriate to terminate a partnership or an employee, nor is it proper to handle business negotiation within the kitchen or printing area. Be mindful of the areas within the workspace and even the people you are working and not working with.

9.) Use Common Sense

If your shared office space has a set of rules, obey them. Treat the space like on how you wanted it to be treated. This means eating on the designated area, smoking outside, and other rules set by the coworking space. Avoid discriminatory behavior and harassment toward fellow coworkers.

10.) Spread the Word

The best way to promote and grow a coworking space is through word of mouth. Connect with your members and your workspace through social media, you might be able to gain some perks because of referrals.

Not all coworking spaces are created equal. But, based on the community, the nature of the space, as well as the kind of work being conducted within, you can gauge what does and doesn’t count as good etiquette. With these tips listed above, you’ll get the most out of your experience. Above all else, know the house rules. If you appreciate the space owner and respect your coworkers, you’ll have an incredible experience.

Socializing with other coworkers is very important. It provides employees with the skills and habits necessary for participating in the corporate culture and increases motivation. Generally, socialization shapes the way employees view teamwork, work habits and the sharing of information, which are all important factors for a small business.

What makes a coworking space unique compared to other working environments is the community. As a member of this community, the ability to engage and connect with your fellow members as they come and go is a must. However, not everyone is a social butterfly who can strike up a conversation on a whim. For the rest of us, this doesn’t mean we have to retreat into our shells and lead solitary lives at the office.

Each one of us want to have an impact and influence among the community where we work. In order to achieve the attention of others or to be in the limelight, we often end up overdoing the efforts for socializing and sometimes end up landing in awkward situations.

1. Put an Effort

You don’t need to interact with everyone in a co-working space. Take it one step at a time and talk to one person first. When you are sitting by yourself quietly, people do not know what to expect from you. Making an effort shows people you are a nice person and the rest will automatically warm up to you.

2.The KISS Rule (Keep it simple, silly) 

All you can do is to greet people around you daily. A simple greeting along with a cheerful smile works wonders. When someone wants to speak to you, you can make yourself available. A simple greeting with a cheerful face. Also when someone wants to speak to you, make yourself available. Say yes from time to time when you are invited for an outing.

Also, you should participate in events like group outings and picnics where you have a great opportunity to bond with each other.

3. Remember Coworkers Names

You know that terrible feeling when you see someone you know you’ve met before, but you just can’t remember their name? What if you ever had to feel that again?

It’s always good to remember the names of your coworkers. Always try to greet them with their names, this will give a positive impact on them. If instances you didn’t remember their names, ask them politely and apologize for forgetting it. Wanting to know the names of other coworkers just mean that you value the community around you.

4. Make an Effort to Network Outside of the Office

Maintain regular and consistent contact with the people in your database.  One of the many successful communication tactics is to periodically meet with people in your network face to face.  It’s much more personal, and much more fun too.

5. Be a Good Listener

Whether in social or work environments, we don’t just want to be heard – we want to be truly listened to. Active listening can play an important role in helping you get ahead in your career and is a skill that can be acquired and developed with a little patience and practice. You should be very generous in appreciating your coworkers for their achievements and accomplishments.

6. Avoid Self-flattery

You might be doing well with your life and with everything that you do, but nobody wants to talk to a person who is obsessed with their personal achievements. Instead, understand what your fellow coworkers doing and offer them some help and advice if they need it. Ask them questions about their life and work, and most of all, make them feel important.

Socializing is about connecting with people, building and nurturing relationships, sharing information, tapping into the hidden job market, learning about career opportunities and expanding your contacts. There are so many ways to socialize to your coworking neighbors. Don’t let your personality type hinder you from knowing others well and being part of a community. Hope this article has inspired you to socialize more with other coworkers.

What is  Employee Mental Health?

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

What are the causes of mental ill health at work?

Mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling or mood. Such conditions may affect someone’s ability to relate to others and function each day.

Many factors influence the mental health of employees. Organizational issues include poor communication and management practices, limited participation in decision-making, long or inflexible working hours and lack of team cohesion. Bullying and psychological harassment are well-known causes of work-related stress and related mental health problems.

How do mental illness impact workers?

Mental illnesses are health problems that affect the way we think about ourselves, relate to others, and interact with the people around us. It affects our thoughts, feelings, abilities and behaviors.  Depression and anxiety are the most common mental illnesses. It’s important to understand that mental illnesses are real illnesses, like other illnesses.

People who experience a mental illness may doubt their abilities or appear less confident. A person may have a hard time concentrating, learning, and making decisions. Symptoms of a mental illness may feed much bigger thoughts. For example, someone who can’t concentrate may then also think that they can’t do their job well or worry about losing their job. It’s easy to see how these changes affect work performance. People who experience a mental illness may withdraw from others, act in unexpected ways, take a lot of time off, or appear less productive than usual. This can strain relationships with supervisors and co-workers.

Here are some ways to improve the mental health of employees:

• Offer time management to those who would benefit from it or encourage colleagues to share strategies amongst themselves, so they can all be capable of managing their time well.

• Implement morning briefing as to make them fresh and lively every day.

• Establish programmes for career development of employees such as on the job training and sponsorship for further studies to keep them motivated.

• Involve employees in more of the organization’s decision-making processes such that they have a strong feeling of validation, control and participation.

Support mental health at work

Work is a major part of our lives. It is where we spend much of our time, where we get our income and often where we make our friends. Having a fulfilling job can be good for your mental health and general wellbeing.

Companies should value the mental health of their employees as a top asset and fiercely protect it. Mental well-being impacts engagement, presenteeism, absenteeism and productivity all of which impact businesses bottom lines. More importantly, supporting and protecting the mental health of your employees is the right thing to do.

A good workplace mental health

Clearly, work is an important part of all our lives, it gives us a purpose, challenge, and occupation as well as necessary income.

For many people work is about providing a roof over their heads, the means to take care of their children and family, support their hobbies and interests. While it’s important for us to do something meaningful and satisfying with our time, it is also important that we nurture and safeguard the essential relationships and personal aspects of our lives too.

A good workplace mental health is where employees feel happy, motivated and  are able to carry out their duties without undue stress and feel able to talk openly about any difficulties they encounter.

As employees, receiving reward and recognition when they perform well makes them feel acknowledged and appreciated. They are more likely to continue to perform well if their performance results has a positive outcome. This is because recognition and rewards are powerful motivators. They are associated with many of the positive emotions that we want to feel – satisfied, confident, and valuable.

Employees in unhealthy workplaces are less likely to receive supervisorial support as well as reward and recognition. It only takes one unhappy employee to negatively impact workplace culture.

Why mental health should be a part of your workplace strategy

As mentioned above, mental health is a significant issue for businesses, impacting productivity, morale and engagement. Poor mental health is a big contributor on how they are present at their work. They may be present but the way they perform their tasks are not productive at all. Managers should take steps to ensure that they aren’t isolated from the rest of the business.

Employers should be highly motivated to address mental health in the workplace, providing support for employees and building a strategy to improve mental well-being. Supporting good mental health at work is an investment in the business. It helps with staff retention, productivity and ultimately profit.

Organizations should be actively promoting positive mental health by becoming an advocate themselves. Set manageable work hours, train supervisors to lead in a successful manner, have mental health resources readily available, and promote healthy living.

Conclusion

When employees feel happy and healthy, they are able to work to the best of their ability. So take care of your staff and they will take care of you. Hope this article has given you a positive insight on how to protect the mental health of your employees.

Team meetings are important and an essential part of building a team and achieving the team’s objectives. The meetings are an open opportunity to come together, reflect on progress and help each other.

Every great meeting has on its agenda the goal of coming to a decision about what actions people in the company should take next. One of the most stressful things to do for any business owner is planning a successful business meeting. Choosing the right facility is vital in ensuring that your meeting is a success.

Benefits of a Good Meeting Room

First benefit of a great meeting room is that it can actually help your meetings run much smoother. This is because there are no interruptions or trouble that’s due to lack of certain necessities in the meeting room. If you have a meeting room that meets all of your needs, then you don’t have to worry to get the attention of your guests. Second, it will give your guests a great first impression of you and the company. A great meeting room can help you attract customers, which will eventually lead to growth and expansion.

Ways to Revive your Coworking Meeting Rooms:

Clean the room

The meeting room is often ‘where the magic happens’ for many businesses. Whether you impress potential clients, masterminding smart strategies that will take your company further or nurture your team with inspiring training, meeting rooms can help make it all happen.

A clean, tidy meeting space is far preferable to a cluttered space. Make sure you keep these spaces free of surface clutter and take a moment to wipe down all surfaces either before or after each meeting so that it’s ready to go for the next session. A twice weekly vacuum (dependent on the amount of foot traffic) will keep the floor clean too.

A breath of fresh air is important. This means that many meeting spaces can feel stuffy and feature-poor ventilation. Stuffy, stale-smelling rooms are not conducive to creativity or productivity, which is why it’s so important to keep them feeling fresh.

Pay Attention to the little things

Little things matter a lot. Make sure you pay attention to the little things. That’s why it’s important not to overlook the little things which can make meeting rooms look less-than-lovely. From mildew on the inside of the window frames to unsightly bundles of wires and dust-besmirched TV screens. Pay attention to the little things your guests are likely to notice them. You can do minor rearrangement of the layout to freshen things up in a meeting room.

Invest on flexible table and comfortable chairs

Choose meeting tables, bench tables or desks that can be connected together, and make it possible to change the table area as required.

It’s important to understand how the room will be used and identify key requirements. For example, will people need to move the chairs around and swivel to look at a screen? If so, a requirement might be chairs on casters that can swivel. Alternatively, if the room is meant for creative work, you might want to provide alternative seating that encourages more freedom.

Update the Tech in Your Meeting Room

One of the most important elements to having a professional, modern workspace is a great conference room with  technology. Technology has made activities more efficient, sophisticated and accessible especially for remote workers. In today’s business environment; laptops, smartphones, and tablets are crucial to productivity, so it’s only logical that your meeting room equipment are advanced enough. Updating the conference room with technology is a good experience for your members to have productive meetings.

What do you need?

You should install wireless connectivity whether its Apple TV or Google Chromecast, using flat-screen TVs and streaming devices has replaced the projector in many modern workspaces. If your room can accommodate a large wall-mounted TV, and surround sound, all members will benefit from this.

Good Lighting

Since there are many events in meeting rooms from face to face interviews by presentations to large conferences, it is very important to gather attention in these areas. On the other hand, the design and the lighting of these areas reflect the company culture to guests in a different way.

Lighting is crucial to the meeting room experience. Poor lighting can suck the energy out of a room. Excessively soft lighting might result in participants dozing off. On the other hand, harsh lighting might not be conducive for reading and viewing screens. So make sure you fix the lightning that is conducive for meetings.

Sound

Sound management is often one of the most neglected pieces in meeting room design. Meeting rooms that are designed without consideration for sound often result in unwanted side effects.

If the conference room audio system is not the cause of poor audio experiences, it could be the acoustics and design of your conference room itself creating the problem. You can use something as simple as a white noise machine to give the room a sense of privacy, or hang soundproofing curtains.

Color Scheme

Choosing the right color palette for public areas such as lobbies and more specific and focused spaces such as a meeting or conference rooms requires focus on both the dedicated purpose of the area and the type of people who will be gathered there. Colors inspire different moods and emotions. Some workers might feel inspired by a palette of cool blues and greens in the room, while others might feel too relaxed to focus and others might just feel uncomfortably cold.

Take the time to choose the colors carefully since its great to make your lobby or conference room as welcoming as possible.

Conclusion

So, these are some of the ways to revive your meeting rooms. If you ask most of your staff if they like to attend meetings, you may hear some of the hesitation. Many employees dislike meetings. When you have to huddle around a laptop or dim the lights for an outdated slide presentation, you’re killing the spirit of creativity and collaboration.

All this to say, an efficient team is a more effective team, so having the most up-to-date tech in your meeting space, a good and positive aura inside, allows your staff to interact with one another.

 

 

 

What is Burnout?

According to business dictionary, “burn out” is a feeling of physical and emotional exhaustion, due to stress from working with people under difficult or demanding conditions. Burn out is followed by signs such as chronic fatigue, quickness to anger and suspicion, and susceptibility to colds, headaches, and fevers.

Some people find the isolation of a home office depressing. If you’ve tried working at a library or coffee shop, and still feel isolated, then it’s time to have a visit on coworking spaces. Coworking spaces are flexible offices that provide meeting, desk and kitchen space for freelancers and independents. It is an office environment where you can chat in the kitchen, network around a table, or spend private time at a desk.

In small doses stress can be helpful, but constant long-term stress is dangerous. It can lead to fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure and even digestion issues, which in turn can lead to burnout. Stress destroys our immunity, makes us overly emotional, interrupts our decision-making abilities and can create anxiety and other serious mental health problems.

Let’s take a look at few reasons on why coworking spaces are great place to work and how it can help to make your workday run smoother.

Work-Life Amenities

Many of the newer coworking spaces are beginning to offer amenities that make it easier to fit life into our work. Spaces that include showers and changing rooms, ones with daycare section, ones that cater to the needs of women and ones with gyms all offer amenities that make work less stressful, if not convenient. These perks can help reduce the stress associated with juggling a busy life.

Activities such as yoga, meditation and exercise clubs exist in many coworking spaces. Sure, you can do these things on your own, but doing it with others will ensure you’ll actually do it. Take breaks with coworkers throughout the workday to help focus the mind and decrease anxiety.

Take a nap! If you feel fatigued, take a quick nap, just 20 minutes or less, and recharge. It beats struggling through work and getting nothing done. Some people find even their peak productivity just after waking from a nap.

Community

The coworking space also presents opportunities for businesses to enjoy the community. With designated places to hang out and an events to join, your coworking space becomes a place to network and build relationships with. A sense of community goes a long way to combat emotional and physical exhaustion associated with burnout. In fact, social networking makes it easier for professionals to relax in the workspace. Being part of a community gives you a sense of belongingness, it is a place where you’ll find support and understanding from your struggles and frustrations. In addition, it’s an easy place to make connections for partnerships and collaboration. When your workspace is also a community, stress that’s normally associated with working in your typical office space is minimized.

Every space is unique, that’s why we recommend to try out few options and find the one that feels right. Most spaces offer a tour or free day, so take the chance to try it.

Events

Most coworking spaces have events on a regular basis. Some have weekly or monthly learning sessions where they bring in experts, other events can be social gatherings where you others can invite their family and friends. A change of scenery may be just what you need. Employees are happier when their families are involved. Social gatherings is conducive for  casual conversation  and a change for entrepreneurs to break from their business.

Taking a Break

It’s hard to be enthusiastic if things don’t go according to your timeline. Don’t let thing bring you down, take a step back and do some honest evaluation on why it’s happening. There will be someone in coworking space to give you an honest evaluation and remind you on why you’re doing this.

Sometimes you just need to step away from the task at hand when you’ve been at it for hours! Take a walk, go out for a quick coffee run, change working locations, anything can help. Keeping to a schedule ensures that you work when you’re the most productive, and that you rest during times that would otherwise be unproductive. Take a nice meal with no phone, then catch a movie. Treat yourself . Do what you like the most.

Work-Life Balance

Draw a healthy line between your work and home life. We all know that working from home distorts most people’s professional and personal life. Coffee shops, on the other hand, will give you the sense of being professional, but it will not give you the right balance between professional and personal life. The best place to find the balance is in the coworking space. Don’t forget it’s always better to find a place where you can sit down to work. Make it a personal rule not to check your email until you get to your shared office, and when you leave work, leave work. This way you will be able to keep a balance between your personal and professional life.

Don’t let the burnout win you. Don’t let time kill you. Instead, learn to balance your tasks well so you can be efficient at work and at the same time, enjoy the working journey you are in. Coworking can help you beat burnout. If you haven’t tried coworking yet, it’s time to try it now! 

 

 

A coworking space is a shared workspace where multiple businesses, entrepreneurs and remote workers use as their office together. They work and share office amenities and supplies, although they belong to different organizations.

Nowadays, more and more people have moved from working in a corporate office to a coworking space. Why is this happening?

Benefit of joining a Coworking Space

When you’re a member of a coworking space, you can decide how you want to work. Many coworking spaces have a variety of rooms, ranging from individual desks, private conference rooms, and more collaborative open areas with shared tables.

You’ll have the chance to form strong relationships with your cohorts that could lead to new clients, or even potential employees and business partners.

Coworking spaces also allows you to save money. Everyone likes saving money right? Rather than renting an expensive office, coworking monthly memberships enables you to save money on overhead costs such as utility bills or service providers. One of the greatest benefits is that you’ll have access to a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and professionals. In joining a coworking space, people have different preferences on what they like and even the type of community they want to join in.

Listed below are the major things that you might want to consider before joining a space.

Type of space

How do you find a coworking place that suits your needs? Finding what fits you, your team, your personality, and your budget is a great first step. Depending on your particular need; if you’re a freelancer, a small startup or a large company will determine what is the best choice to meet your monthly budget and workspace needs.

Private Office: A private office may be more suited to teams ranging from 2 to 20 people who are looking for a secured and fully enclosed space to push productivity and business-related works.

Hot Desk: It can be a daily pass, weekly pass, part-time or full-time monthly membership. You’ll get a seat in one of the common areas of the coworking space.

Dedicated Desk: Full-time dedicated desks offer people a bit more privacy as well as a lockable filing cabinet below it, to keep some of the belongings safe overnight.

Location

The location of your desired coworking space is one of the first factors to take into account. You need to choose a location that fits to your existing team and consider also that it will be an an attractive option for people you might want to hire in the future. It’s also important to consider the needs of your clients. Ideally, the location should be easy for visiting clients to locate, and in a desirable spot. Remember, you want the location of your office to leave a positive impression on your clients.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• How’s the commute from home?
• What are the perks and conveniences of the surrounding area? Such as lunch spots, gyms, and bars.
• Does space accommodate parking?

Budget

Sticking to a budget is always important in business. One of the most obvious things to consider when deciding what space fits your needs is the price. The cost of joining a coworking space differs according to various factors. You’ll need to research well to ensure you are getting the best value out of your membership. Make sure to inquire about all the hidden costs before making a final decision. Consider what your priorities are.

Amenities

It’s important that space provides you with the facilities and amenities you require to maximize your productivity. At the time of assessing the cost, it’s important to scrutinize what all amenities are included in your coworking membership and whether these amenities allow you to save in other areas.

So you need a desk, but that’s not all. How good is the Internet connection at the coworking space you’re considering? Here are few essential amenities that you should consider:

• Free and Convenient Parking:  Providing free and convenient parking will save coworkers’ time, energy and frustration. It makes them easier to get to their workspace and become productive.

• 24/7 Building Access: Your coworkers can simply use their smartphone to gain secure entry to keep them and your coworking facility safe.
  
  
• Fully-Equipped Bookable Conference Rooms: Provide several conference rooms of varying sizes that feature Apple TV, HDMI cables, a whiteboard wall, a traditional projector, and a viewing screen that will boost their productivity.
  
  
• Phone Booths: Everyone needs to make phone calls, so you might want to consider a private space for this area.
  
  
• Kitchen and Lounge Areas: Coworkers need to fuel their body to boost their productivity. Such as an area that is for relaxing, where people can eat, work and chat in comfort.
  
  
• Power back up: Providing  power back up of is most essential, as to  avoid any future risk.

Before making a final decision, be mindful of the services that you will use and the money you will end up spending.

Flexibility

One thing to consider is if the coworking space will be able to accommodate your space expansion in the future. Also, if there are available facilities that can be used beyond normal hours of working. Such flexibility must be looked into since there are times that situations are unpredictable.

Community

Finding a coworking space with a great community is the easy part, but finding a space with a community that fits to you at best is what really matters.

You can do research by checking on online reviews on a space community that you are joining. Take out an analysis of current occupants or just do basic observation and ask yourself whether these individuals may prove to be helpful in your business and career development. Generally, the coworking spaces are designed to cater to a particular industry like start-ups, professionals, freelancers, and not for profits or creatives.

If you’re a freelancer who is looking for new opportunities then a coworking space should be your go-to place, it will open up new opportunities for you to network with people and get offers and collaborations. Make sure you can gain the maximum exposure you can, there will be a lot of people you can meet if you opt for a trial period after checking with the management.

It may take you some time to find your ideal coworking space. But remember, the space you choose to work in is an extension of your business, so take the time to find the one that will suit you.

The Workspace

There are a lot of things that you should consider before joining a coworking space. It is important for an individual to feel their company cares about their mental and physical health. If a company provides a stocked kitchen, the healthier and more nutritious snacks, the better fuel it offers. Always ensure your working space has the right layout and design to maintain a professional setup. Check the equipment if they are useful to the needs of your team. The environment, people, atmosphere, and everything that can affect your performance. Identify a coworking space that suits you and your team.

Trial Period

Does your space of choice offer a trial period before requiring you to commit to a contract? If so, test it out to see if it meets your requirements. Most coworking spaces offer a trial period for new potential members.

Many coworking operators have seats to spare and are willing to offer you more than what their official website says to try it out. It will also let you review the facilities it provides, the noise levels when it’s fully occupied and availability of quiet areas or conference rooms for meetings and discussions. Thus, get a preview before you sign-up for the coworking space.

Conclusion

The above factors would surely help you make a clearer decision on your business decision. Working on a coworking space is fun and can prove to be a refreshing break on working from home. So, definitively try them out by making a good decision on allocating your budget well and in choosing a quality space for you. Thus, select your new office wisely. Let us know if this has been helpful for you. Feel free to comment your suggestions. We’d love to hear from you!

 

 

Flexible Work Schedule

A flexible schedule allows an employee to work hours that differ from the normal company start and stop time. A flexible schedule allows workers to vary when they come in and leave their workplace. This refers also to people who work at home.

Does your company offer a flexible work schedule?

Everyone wants flexibility in their lives so that they can have a work-life balance that allows them to enjoy the best of both worlds. Adding flexible work schedules to the list of perks at work is a rapidly growing trend that can do wonders for your business.

Put yourself in your employee’s shoes for a minute. A flexible work schedule sounds nice, right? But is it good for the employer too? Let’s take a look at the Pros and Cons of Flexible Work Schedules.

Pros of a Flexible Working Schedule

Save Money

Because working at home is part of the flexible working arrangement, employers can often save money on their ancillary expenses.  This is because less office space is needed with workers at home, plus fewer furniture and personal needs are required at the office. Flexible working creates better economics.

Adaptability

Through flexible working, you can use the time you normally waste traveling to the office and spend more quality time with your family instead. Flexible work schedule reduced fuel consumption by the employer and less wastage of time by commuting and traveling from home to workplace and vice versa.

If you have a flexible work schedule you can be able to meet the day to day errands and take care of family members without any interference in work. It allows employees to meet family needs and life responsibilities as well.

Reduces Stress

Flexible work hours provide enhanced job control. When the amount of job control increases, this leads to a reduction of workplace-related stress. Hence, no unwanted disagreement between co-workers can take place. The employee decides what and how they will do the work given by the employer.

Reduce Absenteeism

The employee does not have to be burdened by rescheduling prior commitments and juggle work along with their personal lives. This makes the employee more relax and can reduce absenteeism.

Better Client Support

The employer can easily attend a conference with the clients in the comfort of his house. Flexible working hours are beneficial for clients with different time zones.

Cons of a Flexible Working Schedule:

Communication Breakdowns

Flexible working often has workers coming and going throughout the day. They might become overwhelmed and lose track of the tasks and projects. Make sure to keep a to-do list every day to hold themselves accountable. A lack of contact with colleagues at the office could limit the cohesiveness of teams and exchange of ideas.

Not Every Employee Can Work At Home

Some of the employees won’t have the proper set-up at home in order for them to stay productive. As a result, they’re unable to work at a proper time, which affects the productivity of the employee and to the whole team as well.

Liability and Security Concerns

Employees who are at work might find themselves working in an empty, or near empty, office. For instance, an accident occurs and there is no one to assist them. Security logistics may also become a challenge. Emergencies may occur and there is no one to assist them, unless they have other colleagues with them.

Overtime

A flexible schedule can result in the employee working overtime, which can result in high cost. If there are no clear boundaries about working hours, then they can easily fall into the trap of working all the time. A clear working schedule must be indicated so they will be guided well on finishing the tasks on a timely manner.

Distractions Might be a Thing

There are some people who takes advantage of a flexible work as an invitation to relax. They enjoy staying at home and unknowingly, this ha affected their performance already. There will be a lot of distractions working remotely, but there are ways to prevent this. Such as designing your own home office, locking the door, and be undisturbed on designated times.

Conclusion

So, these are some of the pros and cons of working at a flexible schedule. Hopefully, weighing these pros and cons will help you make the best decision for your team, or even brainstorm alternative ways to combat some of the negative outcomes.

 

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