Business Partner Magazine

Tips and advice for entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs

Things to Consider When Choosing Office Space

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Choosing the right office space requires a lot of thinking and careful planning. Therefore, make sure not to rush into making a decision since once you sign a contract and rent or buy the space, it’s too late to change your mind and back out. With this in mind, we’ve decided to make a list of some of the most important things that you should consider when choosing your office space. Let’s take a look.

Location

First things first, the location is definitely the most important aspect that you should consider before anything else. However, what does that mean exactly? Well, there are actually a couple of things that make a location desirable. Firstly, you should make sure that your potential clients can get there easily, as well as your current and future employees. You certainly don’t want to lose any of them just because you chose a place to which you can’t get using public transportation. Finally, don’t forget to ask around and find out how safe the neighbourhood is and what amenities can be found there. After all, it’s most important that your clients and employees feel safe and happy.

Parking space

Aside from being in a good location, your office should have its own parking lot as well, at least if you don’t want your employees to constantly be late because they couldn’t find a free spot on the street. Additionally, if you don’t provide your clients with parking, they won’t take you seriously and will probably even think that you can’t afford it, which can be fatal for your business. Finally, don’t forget about cyclists, and leave some space for bike storage, too. We’re sure that they would appreciate it a lot.

The cost

Another crucial factor for choosing the right office space is the price. So, before you even start searching, take the time to calculate your budget carefully. This way, once you get the offer, you’ll immediately know whether you can afford it or if you wouldn’t even have money for a three-month-rent deposit. On top of that, make sure to check whether there are hidden costs and what exactly is included in the price. For example, if you’ll be responsible for repairs, you have every right to ask for a rent reduction, since monthly costs for repairs can be fairly high.

Ambience

The interior design of your premises is extremely important, especially if renowned clients often visit your office. So, if you want to come across as a professional who knows how to do business, your office should reflect that as well. For example, you can go for more of a retro design and opt for the amazing egg chairs that are super-comfy and absolutely chic at the same time. Additionally, it’s very important that you choose the right colour for your walls. In case you find it hard to decide, we advise you to take a look at the latest Pantone colour report and get some inspiration. Finally, feel free to do research on various colours and discover which nuances promote productivity the most according to experts in the field of colour psychology.

Check all the legal requirements in advance

If you want to be 100% sure that you’re not making a mistake, we advise you to seek professional help and hire a lawyer whose job will be to go over the agreement carefully and discover whether there are some unfair or unlawful points. Although we know that hiring a good layer means extra costs, it’s better to be safe than sorry. In addition to that, if you plan to make some bigger changes, you have to check with the city council first whether you’ll be able to acquire all the necessary permits.

Competitors

Finally, once you have considered all the most important characteristics of a perfect office space, it won’t hurt you to research other businesses nearby as well. We’re sure that you wouldn’t like to move your business in the vicinity of your biggest competitor who is already well-known in that neighbourhood. Therefore, instead of blindly accepting the first good offer you come across, take some time to carefully consider all the aspects that can affect your business in any way.

As you can see, choosing the right office space requires a lot of planning and you shouldn’t make the final decision overnight. Instead, let everything sink in and don’t shy away from contacting professionals. After all, it’s much wiser to invest some money in advance, than to be sorry for the rest of your life because you made a rash decision.

About the Author 

Cooper Klein is an entrepreneur with a degree in Marketing. He’s interested in real estate and interior design. In order to spend more time with his family, Cooper decided to take a break, and he’s currently working from home as a blogger for Smooth Decorator and several other sites. You can find him on Twitter.

Office trends of 2018: Can an effectively designed office space promote productivity?

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With the end of 2017 looming, it’s inevitable that businesses globally are considering freshening up their work spaces to ensure maximum employee satisfaction. Simon Clark, office interior specialist at business supplies firm Irongate Group, speaks to the experts to see what could be on the cards when it comes to the workplace design trends of 2018.

Continued trends from 2017

Office design trends are frequently changing in relation to the growing demand of dynamic business models. A number of trends we saw last year will continue to change the workplaces of 2018, according to Peter Grant, a member of British Council for Offices:

“The office has seen many changes over the last 15 years with main drivers being technology, the need to attract and retain quality staff, real estate costs and sustainability.

“The continuing trend for open spaces will continue into 2018: the overall feel and look of the office will be a softer almost residential in appearance with the trend to create many types of spaces to suit different working groups, personalities and needs.”

New year, new trends…

A home from home

Employers are becoming ever more focused on employee satisfaction and realise that by creating an enjoyable working environment, with designated lounge areas, relaxed lighting and comfortable furniture – such as sofas and bean bags – they’re likely to see higher retention levels as a result.

Long community tables in the workplace can also encourage better integration and interaction among different teams, whilst also effectively utilising the office space.

John Ravenhall, managing director of Nomique Seating, says:

“Unconventional offices are becoming more commonplace with space given to collaborative working utilising soft seating and privacy areas away from the desk. Whilst many businesses won’t go as far as putting a slide in their office, there are a number of benefits in
making your office furniture more interesting and attractive bringing it into the modern, changing world. 

Creating an environment that combines the necessary desk and chair with soft upholstery colour, natural light and plant life will significantly help to attract the right talent and retain them.”

Being at one with nature

Creating a more collaborative and flexible working environment has taken off over the past couple of years and now biophilic design and plant life is expected to be on the rise commercially. This interior design trend uses nature and natural lighting as an architectural framework to boost productivity and improve mental wellbeing in the workplace.

Peter Grant adds:

“The use of more natural materials from responsible sources will continue, strong accent colours will not be so prominent and will be replaced by more natural pastel colours and materials.”

Research has shown that different colours and intensities have different effects on our mood and productivity levels. Green, for example, creates a calming, cheerful and rejuvenating atmosphere. When stepping into the workplace every day and being surrounded by an abundance of nature and pastel colours, this is likely to impact employees in a positive manner.

A smarter office

It’s no secret that rapid advancements in technology over the past 15 years have completely changed the way we work, arguably for the better. The importance of high quality technology in a business environment is becoming vital for a more efficient workplace. We predict that there will certainly be a growth of wireless charging surfaces, where all technologies are integrated to create the ultimate ‘smart office’.

Alex Tebbs, founder of VIA, a unified communications company, says:

“Technology is changing the way we work, and that’s set to continue as cloud adoption increases. Smart offices of the future will take an integrated approach to things like their communications platforms, meaning it will be much easier for businesses to facilitate remote working and cross-location collaboration. We expect to see technology playing a more prominent role in offices of the future.”

The introduction of collaborating furniture and technology to increase efficiency through office booths and work pods with technological features such as a built in power and audio visuals.

About the Author

Simon Clark is an office interior specialist at business supplies firm Irongate Group who specialise in a variety of business supplies across various industries.

7 Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before Opening A New Office

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So you want to open a new office, and it’s going to be a beginning of a new era for your business. Before you do that, though, there is a number of questions that you must ask yourself first. The fact about office environments is that they have evolved and require that you put some thought into the design. The focus is mostly on flexibility. Some companies decide not to go for individual cubicles, but an open workspace where everyone can choose where they want to work, for example. Here are 7 questions that you have to ask yourself before you open a new office.

How do I provide privacy for those who need it?

The idea of open office design works quite well. However, you still need to think about the people that need some privacy to work on their tasks, or just talk to someone in private. It’s a fact that a lot of people need their own space so that they can focus on what they are doing. Therefore, it is necessary for you to provide both open spaces for teamwork and private spaces for individual work. Make sure that you design some rooms in a way that there are no distractions for the people who work there.

How can I make my offices flexible?

As a business that has just decided to open an office, you certainly don’t have the money to spend on reconstruction whenever it’s necessary. Therefore, you need to make your office space flexible. Install areas where your workers can simply plug in their laptops and get down to work. Get tables and desks that have rollers, so that it’s easy to move them and change the space right away. Make use of dividers to make your conference rooms as big as necessary. Have a double use for private offices, so that they can work as assemblage rooms for team meetings.

How do I create a welcoming reception area?

The place where people develop a first impression about your business is certainly the reception area. Therefore, it is essential that you make it welcoming and comfortable. Choose the right paint for furniture pieces and walls. Darker colors represent professionalism and seriousness, while lighter colors represent vibrance and creativity. If you have windows, make sure that there is enough natural light coming in. Artificial lights should be soft and indirect. If your reception area is big, make sure that there are comfortable spots where people can go. Finally, encourage your employees to be as friendly as possible to your clients.

How do I want my employees to behave?

In order to encourage certain behavior in your employees, you need to implement particular elements into your office design. Do you want people from various departments to come together in order to communicate? Have a coffee bar that is centralized, so that they have a chance to spend some time together there. Is recycling something that you want to instil into your workers? Install recycling stations all over your office space, so that it’s easily accessible, and contains the necessary instructions. Furthermore, you are the person that sets an example for your employees, so the way you behave will reflect on them as well. Show that you care about your business and workers, and they will follow.

How do I make sure that my employees are comfortable?

You want to make sure that your offices have a place where people can come together and relax. Usually, the best idea is to have a café for that purpose. If you have the budget, you can invest in massage therapy centers, and fitness and wellness rooms. Socializing is important, as well as having a place where one can rest or do some exercise. Furthermore, according to office cleaning Sydney based professionals, it is essential that your offices are clean and tidy, for your employees to work in proper conditions where they can feel comfortable and truly be efficient.

How much space is necessary for my office?

Before the whole evolution of the workspace, design plans generally included about 250 square feet for each employee, which consists out of their separate workspace, a desk where the computer can be placed, and personal items such as photographs. Today, 150 square feet should be just enough. Photographs are on the laptop which can be moved anywhere. This means that your employee can work from wherever he needs to. Furthermore, many businesses today allow employees to work from home. This means that the office space tends to be half full more often than not. The fact is that you shouldn’t invest in more space than it is really necessary.

How do I “go green” with my office space?

Sustainability is an important factor for offices today. You should focus on various aspects, including electric, mechanical, lighting, and recyclable materials. At this point, many of these decisions won’t actually add any cost. For example, you can go for lights that automatically go dull when natural light comes inside. Doing this is bound to decrease your energy bills. Furthermore, you can make use of wood from sustainable forests and carpets out of recycled material.

In summation

When opening a new office, there are questions that need to be answered in order to get things right. Today’s open office environments require a whole new mindset. Think about these 7 questions before you get down to designing the office space.

About the Author

Aside from primary area of interest and expertise in business consulting with, Ian could be tagged also as a passionate sports fan, nature and photography enthusiast, always trying to keep up to date with tech innovations and development.

Knowing These 6 Secrets Will Make Your Office Design Look Amazing

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Whether you are planning to work from home or have decided to invest money for the best commercial place, you need to decide on its design. If an office is not properly balanced, then you can hardly get the productivity rolling. So, simple design with an elegant look to it can be a sure shot winner. However, just to make your office design intricate, you don’t have to go to extremes.

Simple choices can go a long way over here, and can even help you to redecorate your old office styles. All you need is a bit of guidance, and you are all good to go. The office environment has a professionalism feel to it. Therefore, it is always mandatory for you to keep this certain point in mind, while decorating your official environment.

6 secrets for a better office environment:

6 important secrets can easily change the entire look and feel of your office. You won’t get disappointed to be sure. And the perfect designing combination can help you to win millions of hearts; of your employees and new clients, too. It is time to get down to the six secrets, which will accentuate the value of your office room, to a whole new level.

  1. Need enough Space for movement:

You always need enough space in between official furniture for movements. Creating a cluttered space will not look nice. As you are about to spend some hefty 8 to 9 hours in the office and even more, therefore; you might have to work on your space management a little more. Free space to roam in between chairs and tables will provide employees with free movements. And they can always take a brisk walk in between work, whenever they want it.

  1. Comfort is all you need:

Be sure to choose the best furnishing items, whenever you are willing to decorate your office in the most promising manner. Comfort is the first and foremost priority, over here. If the chairs are not comfortable enough for long hours of sitting, then it’s hard for you to attract workers and force them to stay. So, you have to work on the comfort module, too.

  1. Proper furnishing items:

Always be sure to choose the right furnishing items for your office. Make sure to incorporate the basic ones in the list. And if you need anything more than that, you are most welcome to make some choices, on that. Just do not waste money buying unnecessary products, which are not good or not meant for your official environment. Save that money for other prospects.

  1. Colors matching the mood of employees:

Another secret towards a successful office environment relies on the colors of the walls. It must match with the type of industry you are associated with. It must also match the interior décor. For example, if you are associated with baby items, make sure to give a soft color to walls. Otherwise, go for blue or dark green shades for a more rich taste to it.

  1. Sophisticated and modern designs:

Nowadays, going for the old traditional designs is not in vogue. You do not have sprawling space to accommodate official stuff, as per your desires. You have less space. And to accommodate all your needful items within that space, you have to work on the modern designs and sophisticated items. Here, the furnishing items are small and come with multipurpose services. So, now, you can work on it accordingly, and get the best help, as desired.

  1. Warm and friendly atmosphere:

Always believe in creating an atmosphere, which is warm and friendly. As mentioned earlier, your employees are going to come and stay over here for long days, 5 or 6 days a week. So, if the surrounding is not friendly enough, then they might not feel the urge to work over here. On the other hand, friendly atmosphere with the accurate warmth will help them to dedicate more on their work, and give rise to the best result.

Follow the points effectively

Be sure to follow these six secret points to enhance the beauty of your office environment. You will love what you will get. And with proper growth of your firm, you can always expect to have better revenue, at the end of every month.

About the Author

Daniel Wilson is a Marketing Manager at Sprak Design. He would love to share thoughts on office interior design, Lifestyle Design, office interior design services, Exhibition design etc..

How Office Furniture Can Support New Ways Of Working

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how-office-furniture-can-support-new-ways-of-workingMany individuals and companies are finding new ways in which to carry out business. One of the important developments in modern business is the office furniture that is used and the way in which office furniture is functioning within a business environment. It is now possible to work in many different ways through the use of office furniture and office space, and in this article, Adam from Allard Office Furniture will outline a selection of ways in which to do this.

Hot desks

The concept of a hot desk is a relatively recent one and involves the allocation of a desk to an individual when that person is needed. Hot desks can also be designated to individuals on a rota basis and this avoids the need for a specific desk for each individual that works in a location. This means that in many spaces, and individual will no longer have their own desk and will instead rent desks.

Co-working

Co-working is a new concept that has developed in the working environment. This feature offers a set of desks in a space that are occupied by working individuals. However, these individuals will not necessarily work for the same company and will instead rent a desk space within a working location. This concept is often used by those who freelance and by those who travel a lot and who need to find somewhere that they can work away from isolation. This way of working is also a good method if you want to be connected with other individuals that work in a similar industry, so as to boost the success within a business.

Business centres

Sometimes a company will need to rent out a space on a short-term basis and this may be in order to carry out a meeting or something similar. A business centre is a useful concept for companies that need to rent a separate space from the office to carry out meetings and additional work. A business centre can be useful in situations where workers are away from the office but need to set up in a location where they can communicate from short distance and carry out work.

Executive suites

Executive suites are owned by companies and these companies will often rent out small areas within the building to companies that cannot afford a larger space. This is a good idea for companies that are just getting started and that do not have a lot of money in which to spend on office space.

Home offices

With advances in technology, many individuals now choose to work from home and this can be done simply by setting up a home office. In order to do this, you simply need a space that you can identify as you’re working area and this may include the devices that are necessary to carry out your work. A Home Office will often be used by a freelancer and will allow that individual the ability to carry out all that work from the comfort of their own home. This means that you will not need to travel through traffic to get to your working location, and will be able to do more work, as you will be within easy access of your office.

This is a selection of examples of how office furniture has now developed the way in which we carry out business. It is now easier than ever to move freely from different locations and continue the work that needs to be done within a company. More and more individuals that work for companies or for themselves, are now choosing new and innovative ways in which to carry out their work. Advancements in technology such as the Internet will allow an individual the ability to work from any location whilst staying connected to the business that they work for.

About the Author

Adam Robertson is a professional in the office furnishings industry. He works for Allard Office Furniture, an office furniture company which has 18 years of shared experience in office desks, chairs, supplies and accessories.