If you run an office of any kind, you will appreciate the importance of good systems, efficiency from workers and a happy environment. Capturing all three elements can be difficult but there are ways to make it more effective and more cost-effective in the long run. Your staff like to be incentified often, most of the time working can get stale, it can feel repetitive with no reward other than a wage at the end of the month and staff like to feel part of a happy environment that is benefitting to all.
Why Is It So Beneficial To Have An Efficient Office?
Time is money. That is the key phrase. If you are wasting time on using old systems that no longer serve you, with slow speeds and outdated systems that do not hold information or update regularly, then you are wasting time. If your workers are unmotivated and aren’t completing tasks on time, then there is a reason for this. With a better running office you can:
- Save time and money-saving time by working better will save money and this can then be disseminated into other areas such as wages, investments, collaborations, new products, better services and much more.
- Impress your customers with up to date technology – the best technology will be impressive to everyone involved; your customers can have access to any great intranets you have, good efficient phone systems so if they ring up with a problem they can speak to you quickly and effectively.
- Reach out for more collaborations if you have the time and money – branching out can be incredibly important for the growth of your business. New horizons and new brands can enhance yours, which ultimately means more money injected into your business and potential of growing to take on new staff. If you work locally or are a small company then you could be gaining plenty of new jobs for people in the local area which boosts the local economy.
- Take on more tasks daily – your staff can take on more work at a better pace if they have an up to date working office. This will ensure that they are hitting their targets and may even make them eligible for some type of bonus at the end of the month or year, this is a great way to incentify your workers and give them a reason to want to get up and come into work, not just a paycheck.
- Keep everyone happy including customers – your customers want to think that the people taking care of them have only the best systems and staff. Customers can easily get anxious and angry on the phone so instilling faith into them will ensure they are retained and that they keep coming back as well as spreading the word to other people in the area. Word of mouth after all is a brilliant and effective marketing tool.
- Reduces stress for the bosses if everything is working well – bosses can get stressed if the workers are not doing their jobs properly and can make you feel as if you are unable to process new information or take on new campaigns. The less stress, the better and happier everyone feels.
- Happiness inspires support to other workers with problems – happy workers means good efficient work and this means that the network you have built inside the office is boosting with energy and keeps everyone’s mental health up!
- Can keep up to date with your customers and their needs – if your customers require a specific thing then you can’t cater to their every need if you don’t have the systems and requirements to help them. If they request something or need help with a specific thing you want to know that you have the expertise to assist them quickly providing good solutions.
- Allows more effective team building and relationships – a happy working environment means that team members are not fighting with each other, they communicate well and they don’t have any arguments. Tension between staff can be difficult to deal with so if everything is in order, it’s much easier to keep everyone happy too!
- Shows values to outsiders and third parties – if you promote new systems and innovative techniques and campaigns then people will be impressed and potential customers and even people who want to work with you and invest will be impressed by your hands-on approach. You want to emit a professional look to people and have a brilliant work ethic.
Software To Help
Some types of computer software can really aid the function of your emails, databases and general office communication. Ensuring your information and customers details is on a database and updated regularly is key. Having help to track emails, analyse your company’s campaign and finances is so important. With help desk software you can have installed onto your computer and allows you to customise the experience so that you have a better working office.
You could look at a better database system that will track certain trends or changes in your customers’ information. You can also use smart diaries that allow everyone in the office to have access to it to ensure everyone is up to speed with changes, events and anything else that is worth sharing across the team.
Arrange Activities
People love an activity day. From fun days out of the office to team building exercises inside the office, you can really play around with what may work well for your team. You can look at active days out, such as rock climbing, canoeing or something fun that will help the team feel refreshed and be a great ice breaker for the workers whose paths don’t often cross.
Getting your staff equipped and up to date with skills can also be of benefit. Have a first aid training day, or hire someone to come in to run workshops for your staff to expand their skills in a chosen area. That will benefit them and the business simultaneously.