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Whether you’re a fresh graduate starting up your own business or someone in the market for a few years, you know the impact of a productive workspace on your growth. The more worker-friendly your workspace is, the more productive your team will be. While it might seem like difficult work, creating a productive workspace isn’t really rocket science. You can follow the simple steps below to achieve it. Take a look.

Define Separate Spaces for Different Functions

Startups usually have a small budget and choose a small and open workspace. It also allows them to communicate with everyone in the team freely because they have a flat hierarchy. So they place all departments and functions together. However, meetings usually require one-to-one communication and should be held separately. The meeting attendees might find it difficult to focus on their discussion when they have too many office mates around them. Also, you cannot place the break room or have lunch in the same space where you work. So, it’s necessary to create separate zones for each function so that the employees can focus on their work, relax, and eat their lunch without bothering others and be as productive as possible.

Choose Comfortable Office Furniture

Startup employees usually spend most of their hours at their desks, so they must have access to comfortable and ergonomic furniture. These chairs and adjustable desks help retain your natural posture and reduce strain on your back, neck, and shoulders. You might get chronic conditions with severe long-term consequences if you fail to care for your body. While ergonomic furniture isn’t a surefire way to prevent these conditions, it can minimize the risk of permanent damage and boost productivity.

Encourage Teamwork with Open Layouts

Open plan layouts are usually popular with startups because they remove the distance between employees and allow them to collaborate, discuss their ideas, and communicate much faster. With this layout, the team members feel more connected to each other. It helps them bond with their peers more and enhances team synergy and productivity. However, open-plan layouts can hamper the workflow especially if meetings and one-to-one conversations are held inside the same office space. These functions usually require more concentration and should be held in private rooms.

Add Break Areas for Relaxation

Startups tend to be hectic, and the employees need occasional breaks between long working hours. Open office layouts don’t offer enough options to unwind. Going out every few hours also results in loss of precious work time and affects productivity. So, you should create a designated space where people can rest for some time. It should be separate from the main workspace and have a relaxing ambiance. You can arrange comfortable seating, light snacks, and even entertainment options such as television or video games. You can also allow workout options or meditation for employees who want to practice wellness. Light indoor sports such as table tennis or foosball can also help the employees release stress. Employees can come here to unwind and prevent burnout.

Keep the Office Clean with Professional Help

Believe it or not, cleanliness has a deep impact on productivity. So keep your workspace clean and clutter-free. Encourage your employees to clean their desks every day. You can also hire a professional service for deep cleaning the workspace.

Hiring commercial office cleaning services allow your employees to focus on their workplace performance instead of moonlighting as commercial office cleaners. You hired your employees to do a specific job, and you want them to get that job done without having to maintain the cleanliness of your business offices.

Arriving at the office and finding a clean atmosphere can instantly boost your employees’ moods, and they can focus more on their tasks and less on cleaning. Schedule at least one deep cleaning session every month to keep your workspace tidy and productive.

Organize Digital Files for Better Workflow

The digital space of your organization needs just as much tidying up as the physical environment. It also impacts your productivity. Many startups rely heavily on digital files and cloud spaces. Most of their work is stored online. The more functions your company has, the more digital files you are likely to create. You need to organize these files so your team doesn’t lose precious time looking for the right ones.

Create separate folders for each department and sort all the files according to the functions or the teams. Label them correctly for easier access. Get rid of old documents and archive the ones you might need to revisit. Ensure proper access to all archived folders. Keep a database to find these files anytime you want.

Enhance Your Office with Plants, Light, and Fresh Air

Apart from creating a great layout for your workspace, you should also focus on aesthetics because it can influence your mood. Even if you have a low budget, you can make your office look nice with plants and artwork. Low-maintenance plants are easier to handle, and your employees or admin staff won’t have to spend a lot of time taking care of them. When choosing artwork, ensure that it matches the theme of your company and is suitable for work.

Ensure proper lighting and ventilation in your workspace for comfort. Lack of proper lighting can strain the eyes, and lack of proper ventilation can lead to various health problems and discomfort. They also impact your employees’ productivity.

Creating a productive workspace might seem like a challenge. However, you can achieve it by following the simple steps mentioned above. If you are a student starting your new business, you can always get help from your college entrepreneurship center. They can help you streamline the process and even help design a workspace that boosts your productivity and brings the best results.