Creating a Productive Workspace

         Productivity is the heart and soul of any business. A person’s surrounding influences their productivity. Hence employee productivity of a business can be increased by improving the workspace. This does not include just the location, structure, and setting of the office, but office furniture layout, physical area, ventilation, atmosphere, and the overall work culture of the business. We can see that a productive workspace includes both tangible and intangible aspects. Both should be improved, which include both quantitative and qualitative measures.

Deciding what is productive and what is not

  Before we go on a crusade to improve productivity, we must understand what it is. In an extremely simplified sense, it is the ratio of output to input for a given task. If you do more with less, it is productive. But today this definition does not suffice.     

Many people have the misconception that doing a task as fast as possible is productive. This is true but partially. If increased productivity comes at the cost of stress, it cannot be considered productivity as eventually, it will lead to a fall in productivity as it leads to a dissatisfied employee. It is more accurate to say that productivity is about getting the task done most efficiently while maintaining a healthy level of happiness and satisfaction.

 Creating a productive workspace – Tangible Aspects

1.    Having sufficient space and ventilation

If the employees can’t move freely around the office, it is an obstacle to smooth workflow. If it is crowded or lacks proper ventilation, employees feel uncomfortable and cannot focus on the work.

2.    Providing proper lighting and temperature

Like the first point, it is important to get these two right as well. If the lights are too bright or too weak it leads to problems. Temperature can be controlled by installing fans or air conditioners as required (along with proper ventilation)

 3.    Recreational Space for employees

Humans are social creatures. We need to interact with each other. This is a key point most forget. And these interactions do not include the official interactions. As such it is key to provide employees with a space to take a break, relax and interact with each other.

Creating a productive workspace – Intangible Aspects

1.    Cultivating an atmosphere of productivity

When you go to a restaurant your mood is to eat or drink, when you go to a club your mood is to dance, sing, etc. This applies to work the same way. When you go to work your mood should be to work productively. When employees and your colleagues enter the office, they should be motivated to work willingly not by mere deadlines or fear.

 2.    Favoring flexibility and initiative over rigidity

Imagine a situation where you have told an employee to do something in a particular manner. However, he finds a quicker way to do it without compromising the quality of work. If you are rigid, he won’t even think about bringing up this with you. If a self-initiative is appreciated, employees can utilize new findings like this to work better, boosting productivity.

 3.    Allowing personalization

Work should not be so formal and boring. Along with providing recreational space, employees can be allowed to personalize their immediate surroundings i.e., their desks and cubicles. A touch of personalization can go a long way and make the work less tedious and more interesting.

It’s easy to neglect the state of your workplace and dismiss it as a waste of time and effort, but once you understand its role in productivity you can focus on improving it. This includes both obvious as well as inconspicuous tips. With these measures, you will see your office productivity improve in no time.

If you wish to conduct any intervention or training for your organization, please get in touch with us through our email- [email protected]