When first starting your business, it’s quite natural to overlook the importance of your working environments. But the vibe will impact all items from productivity and motivation to cost efficiency and client reactions. Therefore, getting it right should be top of the agenda.
While there are many elements to consider, it is possible to master this crucial aspect of entrepreneurship in a relatively short space of time. Focus on the factors below, and you’ll regain control in no time.
Recruitment
Even in this era of using technology for a host of business tasks, people form the heartbeat of any venture. In truth, building a team of winning employees is probably the most important assignment you’ll ever take on as a business owner. Frankly, the success or failure of this process can dictate how the entire venture performs.
There are plenty of recruitment agencies that can work on your behalf to headhunt the best candidates. However, many business owners find that the DIY approach is still the way to go. This gives you a chance to analyse their personality traits as well as their applications. In truth, their characteristics are likely to have a far greater influence on the team atmosphere.
Apart from anything else, being surrounded by the best colleagues will inspire staff members to perform better.
Onboarding
First impressions count for a lot in this world. This is particularly true when starting a new job, with many knowing whether their new job is an ideal long-term role within the first day or two of employment. As a business manager, paying special attention to those early interactions could be integral to staff performances.
Welcoming a new member to the team isn’t simply about showing them to their place and letting them get on with it. Name badges and personalised stationery instantly makes them feel like a part of the team. Introducing them to all workers both individually and collectively allows them to settle quicker too.
Likewise, having their email addresses and other staff facilities ready to go on day one sets a professional tone. Most importantly, it makes them feel wanted.
Unity
While the individual qualities of employees are crucial, there’s no doubt that the sense of unity is equally important. It’s an old cliché, but a team that works together succeeds together. The ability to encourage this healthy bond is an attribute shared by all great entrepreneurs.
Incorporating a staff uniform can be a great starting point. As well as promoting the brand and establishing a good bond with the clients, it removes a source of animosity between colleagues. Everyone within the team will be on a level playing field and made to feel like they are working with (rather than against) their fellow workers.
Away days and team building exercises can further increase the positive atmosphere. Aside from directly boosting productivity and staff motivation, the good vibes will be noticed by your customers. In turn, this can have a huge impact on sales.
Safety
A safe workspace is a happy workspace. Conversely, if your employees are distracted by the thought of injuries and accidents, it will cause major disruptions. Worse still, it could result in unnecessary personal injury lawsuits.
The layout of your workspaces is immensely important, but you also need to think about the maintenance. A little wear and tear is a natural feature in any working environment, but a quick response will prevent major problems. Emergency glass repair is one of the most common jobs to consider. Aside from restoring the safety, it should boost the aesthetic appeal.
Meanwhile, it’s imperative that you keep the working environments clean. Whether it’s an office, shop floor or warehouse, allowing illnesses to spread is the last thing you need.
Security
Physical safety is one thing, but you’ll never truly create the calm atmospheres you crave unless the security is under control too. After all, those outside threats are just as dangerous as the internal ones. Depending on the type of workplace, preventative steps can include CCTV, guards, alarms and anti-climb paints.
The theft of physical assets isn’t your only concern, however. Digital threats are more common than ever, which is why putting the right data protection systems in place is vital. Firewalls, anti-virus software, and professional IT management can all help the cause. Meanwhile, storing data via encrypted cloud computing frameworks removes many of the dangers too.
Mastering this aspect is equally crucial for client relations, and now is the perfect time to incorporate those upgrades.
Staff comforts
Employees want to feel valued by their employer. As with many aspects of successful business management, the small gestures often make the most significant impact.
Investing in a water cooler or coffee machine can improve the mood within those workspaces. Meanwhile, improved hydration can actively support good concentration levels. Providing biscuits, a TV, and a pool table in the staff room will elicit a positive response. When employees can see that you are prepared to go the extra mile for them, they will naturally return the favour.
Other perks can include leaving an hour early on a Friday afternoon or allowing them to take their birthdays off without losing a day’s annual leave. In today’s climate, it may also be possible to let some staff members work from home when they aren’t well or need to look after the kids. If it builds stronger relationships without compromising productivity, you’d be foolish to rule it out.
Consistency
Even if their direct interactions with you are limited, employees will look to you for inspiration. If they have confidence in your capabilities, it makes it a lot easier for them to get behind the brand. Aside from producing results, it’s imperative that you aim for consistency. Otherwise, the mixed signals can leave staff members feeling confused and unable to discuss issues with you.
Taking personal responsibility is essential. One of the smartest things you can do is learn to reduce your stress levels. Being agitated increases the likelihood of making mistakes and mistreating employees. Besides, when you have situations under control, the staff members will naturally want to trust you.
Consistency also encourages the whole team to keep pushing forward, meaning that the company can continue to grow at the fastest rate.
Interior design
The function will rightly be at the top of your checklist when designing the layout and appearance of your various workspaces. Nevertheless, this should not be an excuse to ignore the need for a pleasant aesthetic. For better or worse, the surroundings will set the tone throughout the workspaces. As such, you should do all that you can to evoke positive emotions.
Showcasing positive elements of your brand, as well as its achievements, encourages employees to take pride. Meanwhile, a bright colour scheme can put everyone in a happier mood. Aside from choosing the right décor, it’s imperative that you encourage better lighting too. This will brighten up the workspace both literally and figuratively.
Smart interior design choices also show an attention to detail that makes your company the ideal place to work. Better still, it can also impact client reactions.
Feedback
Incorporating ideas that are designed to keep employees happy should go a long way to building a better business venture. Nevertheless, one of the easiest and most obvious ways to give staff members what they want is to ask them directly.
It’s likely that you already use staff appraisals and regular reviews to help guide them to better things. So why not analyse your part of the deal too? If employees are encouraged to be honest, they will soon tell you where improvements can be made. Anonymous surveys are a great option as it removes their concerns about putting their career in jeopardy. This feedback can be vital.
Showing that you are willing to listen to their thoughts is another show of respect. Furthermore, it actively suggests that you have long-term plans for them with the company. If you are going to gain this insight, just make sure you actually use the info. Otherwise, it could lead to greater frustrations.
Celebrate
All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy. So, when your team achieves its goals or surpasses expectations, you should take the time to celebrate those successes.
Creating a positive atmosphere is all about promoting the right mindset. When you celebrate those milestones and successes as a team, everyone will be smiling. Moreover, the addictive nature of the winning vibe should encourage employees to chase even more of it. On a separate note, this moment of reflection can be a great way to recharge the batteries. This leaves them ready to go again.
Ultimately, a fun and enjoyable working environment is a better one from a personal outlook as well as the business one. Apart from anything else, those celebrations are a deserved reward for working hard. This is excellent news for the staff and even better news for the business. If that doesn’t inspire you to make those positive changes right now, nothing will.