Ways to Generate Workplace Buzz

The chance to build a strong and effective workplace atmosphere is a golden opportunity.

Having the right mood at work and throughout the space can have a significant impact on the productivity and morale of the business.

It is almost impossible to have a high performance culture if the right foundations are not in place.

This is where everything from the design and décor of the workplace needs to go hand in hand with the day-to-day workings of the business.

A highly corporate environment will be completely different to a blue-collar workplace. They each need to have a clear and efficient use of space, light and access.

Adding personality to your décor

dark timber stain The colour of your décor says more about you and your brand than you might realise.

If you are after a strong and stoic brand personality, then you might opt for the combination of glass and chrome or metal fittings. This gives off a ‘we mean business’ vibe, and it is crystal clear that the company is not one to be messed with.

Then you have brands that take a more natural approach to their business and the way they connect with other companies.

This is when natural resources such as timber and even recycled materials can fit the character of the business and present the right profile to their target market.

The choice of décor needs to reflect your company values, interests and the way in which you do business.

A whimsical nature to the furnishings can bring an idea of creativity and ‘thinking outside the box,’ but it only works if your company follows those principles. It doesn’t fit the world of finance, legal firms or industry regulators.

With the right selection of your décor, you can create a strong mood for your entire workplace.

A business that means business

If you are a company that has an environmentally conscious outlook and uses recycled or ethically sourced materials, then you can put that front and centre.

If you are a corporate enterprise and one of those businesses that need to promote yourself as a serious entity, then having timber is not a hindrance to that appearance.

To produce that effect and emotion, it is a good idea to use a dark timber stain or possibly a superior quality Merbau stain that can add a touch of distinction.

The boardroom could be set up with everything from a Boveda or the top humidor Australia has on offer.

If you want to be known as a business that is serious about providing the best products or services, then you need to be able to show it in every way.

Your branding needs to cover every aspect of what you do. That means having the same concept and character play out through:

Business cards and stationery
Workwear and lanyards
Promotional products
Signage and logos
Furnishing and décor
Online assets such as the website, email marketing and social media

This can all tie in with your company personality and make your branding stand out from the crowd.

The mistakes with your workplace layout

There are many workplaces out there that have a mixture of cluttered or confused layouts. Some of them are so poorly laid out that they are actually a danger to the workers and staff with limited access to emergency exits or to important fire equipment.

It is often the case that people look at the layout and design of a room or space at the beginning of their lease or if they have played a part in the way it is built. That same concern and concentration on how the workplace functions in a physical sense are quickly gone once the day-to-day workings of the business take over.

Using the flow of the building and any natural light is integral to creating a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.

Another mistake to avoid is the point of interfering with the workflow of the business. Having a team split over different floors or scattered within the premises with no thought of how colleagues will interact can be detrimental and disillusioning.

Key employees who need to perform their duties in peace and quiet will be unable to work to their best if they are placed in an area that is too distracting. This can lead to staff disengagement and even resignations.

An open-plan workplace is often ideal for certain businesses, but serious consideration needs to be made, especially around issues such as privacy and confidentiality.

Leading from the front

As with any business, the most important role is that of the leaders.

These are the people that other staff are supposed to look up to for guidance, authority and decision-making.

Becoming a leader is not necessarily a typical personality trait, and some people will baulk at the idea of added responsibility and accountability.

Fortunately, this aspect of a role within a business can be taught with specialist leadership training and professional guidance.

There is a great opportunity to make more of your more capable staff and help the business grow. It is more often than not, the best candidate for a role is someone within the company itself, and they just need the right training to reach their full potential.

A good leader is someone who can recognise leadership in those around them and nurture that talent for the future.

Adding a level of inspiration

We all know how much better a business performs when it has the right staff and the right resources and is an inspiring and engaging place to be.

The overall atmosphere and morale at a workplace say a great deal about the business and those that work there.

If you have a company that is positive, supportive, and it is a rewarding place to be, then you will have a dedicated and enthusiastic team who work well together and pass that important quality onto the end customer.

There are many ways to help build a strong and effective workplace. It all starts with taking a look at the basics of who works there, what you want to do and if the business is set up in a way that allows for teamwork and growth.