Productivity is a buzzword we’ve all been hearing plenty about lately, but with good reason. If your staff aren’t productive, your entire business is on the decline. You’re not going to please your customers, you’re going to miss deadlines, you’re going to lose money, and your competitors will be ready to mop all of it right up.
A bad situation, you’ll agree.
There are many ways to boost productivity, but the simplest measures are often by far the most effective.
Look at it this way - if your staff aren’t comfortable, how can you expect them to go the extra mile and work harder for you? Why would they even want to?
There is a very real direct link between comfort levels and productivity, and that means there is a very real and direct link between good quality office furniture, which gives that comfort level, and productivity too.
There is a very good reason why many offices have revamps and refurbishments from time to time. It’s not just to replace old office furniture with new office desks, and it’s not about spending excess money (mainly because not many businesses have much of that), but it’s about creating a new, fresh space, somewhere to inspire staff to want to go and work in the mornings. Of course, part of all of that includes commercial office furniture, which fits the style, but also fits the comfort bill too.
To explore this subject further, let’s check out a few reasons why you should be investing in high quality office furniture, to stand the test of time, as opposed to cheap quick, fix options.
Staff Need to be Inspired
A messy, uninspiring office is not going to make anyone want to do much more than the bare basics. Old office furniture, which has more than seen its sell by date and waved at it, is not only uncomfortable, but it looks dated too. There is nothing antique or vintage about it - it’s old and it needs replacing ASAP!
Instead, look at implementing new office chairs or desks, cabinets, and other office furniture options, which fit in with the new, fresh design, and which are also as functional as they need to be. People are inspired to want to work by the environment they are in.
Keeping your office up to date and modern also makes your staff proud to work there. An office, which looks the part, will instantly create a more go-getting way of thinking, and this is fantastic for boosting productivity, through idea sharing. You do a quick straw poll, and no doubt more people will opt for the sleek, modern, clean-lined office, over the old fashioned, dusty affair!
Colour Affects Mood and Productivity
It’s long been thought that different colours have a direct impact on mood. For instance, blues and greens are meant to be calming, red is meant to fire you up, and browns are earthy, therefore giving you a more Zen feel. All of this needs to be considered when you’re revamping your office, and purchasing new office furniture. You don’t need to go down the standard black or brown route when you’re buying new office furniture, we’ve moved on with all of that, and office furniture has evolved in style over the years.
Look at installing various coloured office furniture pieces in select areas. For instance, in a collaborative area, where brainstorming and ideas are needed, think about warm, fiery colours, to boost conversation and increase productivity in that regard. For quiet areas, perhaps the main office space itself, go for something calmer, perhaps with some natural decoration thrown in for good measure. You could buy office storage units in various blues or greens, to add to the laid-back feel. All of this will relax your employees, create a fresh, clean style, and inspire your staff to work harder.
The Vital Comfort Link
Productivity hinges on comfort, as we have already mentioned. The thing is, comfort isn’t just about how comfortable a chair is, it’s also about having everything you need to hand. For instance, how can you expect your staff to be productive if they need to get up and walk into another room to reach the printer every few minutes? How are they supposed to be productive if the papers they need and storage units are down the hallway?
It is vital to organise your office to ensure that everything is within easy reach, without it being crowded. Quality office furniture can allow you to do that. For instance, storage units can double up as decorative items nowadays! Printers can be stored in a corner, without having to leave the office when printing is required, and can be mounted on a funky office table.
Despite that, how comfortable a person is when they’re sat at their desk is a massive player. Ergonomic chairs and desks are a big thing these days and rightly so. Being able to adjust your seating to your individual height and size is vital for extra comfort, and also reduces the chances of strains and injuries drastically. This is a plus point for the organisation, because it means less sick days for employees, but overall it means that your staff are going to be more inspired to work harder, simply because they’re not in pain and watching the clock!
Privacy When it is Needed
Splitting up your office into zones is a great idea for productivity boosting, and you can easily achieve this by looking into breakout office furniture, or office partitions. Giving your staff the kind of working environment they need for specific tasks will allow them to dedicate the right amount of time and concentration to them, therefore boosting productivity levels ten-fold.
For instance, a group of employees might need to discuss a project and brainstorm. In that case, create an area for this to happen, such as a collaboration zone, which is away from the main office space, or a breakout area. This means the chat can happen effectively, without distracting everyone else in the room. Similarly, staff might need to really knuckle down and concentrate on a task, without interruptions, and that is where office partitions can help in a big way.
By giving your staff what they need to do the job at hand, they will reward you with a higher performance, and greater productivity. This all adds up to a boost in profits!
Quality Furniture is More Cost Effective
The final point to make is that quality office furniture is much more cost effective than going for a quick fix. Yes, we know that most people are short on budget these days, but there is a lot to be said for investing in quality.
Look at it this way - if you pay for cheaper furniture, it will look good on the invoice at that moment, but in a year, or even a few months, you might find that the level of quality isn’t good enough for the job at hand. That means you’re going to need to repurchase, which is going to cost you more in the long run. Surely, it’s better to purchase quality office furniture from the get-go, and cut out the added stress and cost?
Lower quality office furniture is also not going to inspire your staff to go the extra mile. It’s likely to be slightly uncomfortable, it’s going to break easily, it’s not going to feel stable, and it’s probably not going to be fit for the job at hand. By investing in quality, you’re showing your staff that you’re investing in them and their performance.
Giving people the tools they need to do the job is one thing, but giving them the quality tools they need is something else entirely. It sends the message that you care enough to spend the cash and invest in their performance; it proves that you care enough about your staff. As humans, when we feel valued and respected, we work harder, we do more in our given time, and we’re happier overall.
A happy member of staff is without a doubt a more productive member of staff!
To Sum Everything up ….
It’s always better to go for quality over a quick fix, no matter what area of life we’re talking about. Quality lasts longer. Quality looks better. Quality does the job more effectively. All of this boosts productivity in your workplace on a variety of different levels. Yes, it costs a little more, but it’s worth it!
If you’re confused about which office furniture items to opt for, check out our office furniture London choices, for a huge dose of inspiration. There is something for every purpose, and it’s sure to stand the test of time too!
How do you feel about office furniture shopping for your office? Do you prefer to invest, or are you tempted with the quick fix option? Have you had a bad experience with the cheaper versions in the past? Drop us a comment and let us know what you think, as well as any other productivity boosting tips you might have!