We all want to get the most from our people, so how do we best go about maximising our office environments to achieve just that? In this article we are going to look at 5 useful ideas that could make all the difference to your bottom line. All cost-effective and easily achievable, the list contains some basic ideas that harness the theory of marginal gains. It is these small gains that can assist in driving productivity to new highs in your business. These increases may not only assist with driving profit, they will also lead to happier staff. The happiness of your staff will help to reduce sickness and staff turnover, and help to create an extremely harmonious work environment.

 

So what are marginal gains? Well, as the name infers, marginal gains theory is the idea of making small optimisations in various areas in order to improve the net result. The idea has been popularised by British Cycling, and then with the professional cycling team Team Sky. The idea of small improvements turned British Cycling and Team Sky into dominant forces. The effect came from looking at everything that affected their results. Everything from the mattress that the rider slept on, to sourcing the very best parts for their bicycles, the focus on 1-2% improvements in these various areas lead to huge improvements in their results. In this article we are going to use this as a basis for improvements in your office environment.

 

 

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements in office design. With lighting design often preferring function over form, it is easy to ignore the simple fact that light plays an integral role in human nature: our circadian rhythm (which is guided by light) sets when we wake up, and also when we feel tired. The natural human rhythms can be upset by a lack of natural light, and by introducing more light-guided design into your workplace, you can ensure that not only are your staff productive, they are also healthy.

 

Colour

Just because offices are functional doesn’t mean that they cannot be colourful! One of the biggest office design changes in recent years has been the introduction of colour. An easy and fun way to make the environment more enjoyable and welcoming, adding a splash of colour can make a world of difference. Of course you do not need to have the whole office refurbished in order to take advantage of this, colour can often be introduced into existing offices through some careful decoration and the introduction of colourful items.

 

Another way to add colour, and also some function, is to introduce plants into the office. Plants offer an interesting change from plain walls, and can also help to purify the air. Plants really are a win-win, and are a budget friendly way of adding a splash of colour to your office environment.

 

Environment

Our environment is very important to us as human beings. As we’ve alluded to in the last couple of sections, our office environment can make a huge difference to our staff as far as their health and happiness are concerned. As well as the light we have already mentioned, there are also other environmental considerations that are important in office design, such as temperature. Of course many offices these days already have air-conditioning, but for those who do not, it is well worth investing in. Your staff will be cool and comfortable right through the summer, and able to keep producing their best work in an environment that is ideal for them.

 

Quiet Zones

New research is coming out all of the time about how people work best. One of the results that comes out time after time is that many staff struggle to work in fast-paced, loud offices. The introduction of quieter areas into office design is becoming ever more important. If you would like to use this, but do not want to refurbish your office space then why not consider making use of new technologies? Excellent tablet computers can easily replace desktop PCs. This allows your staff to move freely around the building, accessing the network wirelessly, and finding a comfortable, calm place from which they can work. This is one of those hacks that is actually pretty cost-effective, and can make a real difference to staff who prefer to work in peace and quiet.

 

Leisure Activities 

Internet pioneers Google are often held up as the innovators of bringing leisure activities into their office environments (remember the indoor slide?). The idea has become more mainstream today, and many businesses such as Moneypenny in Wrexham, North Wales, have pushed the envelope even further with the addition of some amazing features. While clearly you do not need to build a treehouse, or have a pub in the office, simple additions like a dartboard, or a putting green for the golfers among you, can introduce an element of fun and relaxation for your staff. Not only can they help your staff to relax, they can also enhance social cohesion and create stronger bonds. These activities can pay huge dividends for little investment, and are a great way to bond your teams and to get happier staff – a win all-round.