Bringing Your Office’s Style To The Modern Age

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. One of the most important parts of the office of your business is its style. Your customers will notice in addition to your staff. The following contributed post is entitled, Bringing Your Office’s Style To The Modern Age.

* * *

If you’re looking to establish the right standard in your office, then you need to look at aspects of how to best use working space and care for the worker’s needs, of course. However, when it comes to creating the right mind space and demonstrating your brand, then you have to look at its style, as well. Here, we’re going to look at a few ways you can ensure that your office isn’t stuck too far in the past, style-wise.

Picture – CC0 License

Let the lighting do the talking

Aside from the fact that poor lighting makes life difficult for just about everyone in the office, we tend to think of brighter and clearer spaces when we think of modernity, as well. Look at the different office light fixtures you can put into your space, going beyond just your main fixtures. Accent and ambient lighting can help ensure you’re providing the visibility that you need.

Opt for more natural materials

Traditionally, the look of the office was all about making it appear as functional as possible. More recently, people went for sleeker, more minimalist designs. Now, however, incorporating natural materials like those from timber cladding suppliers can help you give the idea of a contemporary, progressive business. Given how green-minded business is starting to become, it can be a good way to showcase a lean towards the environment friendly.

Invest in supportive furniture

Now, good furniture has plenty of practical use, such as preventing your employees from feeling uncomfortable or getting injured due to common office risks like back pain. However, working with a modern office furniture supplier is going to help you create a much sleeker and more considerate look in the office, as well. People tend to better trust a business that treats its employees well, and decent furniture might not be everything they need, but it’s a good visual indicator you take their needs seriously.

Bring the outdoors in

Surrounding your workers with natural materials, as already mentioned, can help improve the mood across the office. However, you can go even further than that with what is typically called biophilic design. Effectively, the simplest way to do this is by bringing in some office plants. However, going even further beyond by installing features such as a green wall can have an even more positive effect on the look and feel of the office.

Allow some personalization

Sometimes, it can work more in your favour if you’re willing to give up a little control over the look of your office. By allowing your workers to customise and decorate their own spaces (within some rules, naturally), not only do you give them a sense of ownership over their own working life, but it shows an office that is more vibrant and full of life.

Of course, your office communicates more than its age through its style. You have to think about the type of brand appearance that you’re giving off as well. Hopefully, the options above give you some ideas though.

Setting Up Your New Office To The Right Standard

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Workplace Discussions. One of the keys to running your business is having a proper office/workspace. The following contributed post is entitled, Setting Up Your New Office To The Right Standard.

* * *

Are you setting up a new office for your company? Your office can be a critical part of your business brand and identity. It can also impact key metrics including levels of productivity and output. That’s why you need to make sure that your business office is set up to the right standard. Here are some of the key options we recommend that you explore.

Pexels CCO License

Network Connections

First, you need to make sure that you are thinking about network connections. These days, companies are always going to require a high level of connectivity and fast connections. A slow connection speed will always damage your business in the short term and leave you struggling behind competitors. When you buy an office property you should make sure that it does have fiber optic connections or the potential for this to be set up. This won’t always be the case for remote office locations.

You might also want to think about whether you have speeds that will support a cloud solution. Cloud servers are useful for a number of reasons. For instance, they can guarantee that your business meets the right security standards.

Electrical Systems

Next, you should think about the electric systems and set up for your office property. Electrical systems must be set up the right way otherwise you could end up with downtime in your business model. Issues with downtime can cost businesses thousands for every minute that key systems are not operational. That’s why you should use the support of an expert company like Russo Electrical to set up the systems that you need. They will guarantee that everything is installed to the right standards and guarantee a setup you can depend on.

Ergonomic Design

When it comes to your office layout and equipment, you always want to be thinking about yourself and your employees. It is essential you give your workers the right equipment to use. This equipment should be comfortable, seeing as though they may be sat down for long periods of the day. Take a look at the best ergonomic desks and spend your budget wisely. The benefits to using ergonomic furniture is that they encourage users to take the proper posture. This results in fewer injuries such as RSI or back pain.

Style Choices

Finally, you need to make sure that you are thinking about different style choices in your business. How you decorate your business will say a lot about you. Think about colour psychology when you are decorating your business setting. The last thing you want is to affect your employees when they come into work. Avoid bright, garish colours or ones that incite certain feelings. Red is a huge one to avoid as this signifies anger. Instead, choose calming, neutral colours such as light greens and blues.

We hope this helps you understand some of the key choices that you should think about when you are setting up your office. In doing so, you can guarantee that it’s a powerful asset for your company in the long term.

Healthy And Sustainable Practises For The Office

Three focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness, Organizational/Management Discussions and Workplace Discussions. A lot of time is spent in offices. As such it’s important to think about ways to make these workplaces more healthy. The following contributed post is entitled, Healthy And Sustainable Practises For The Office.

* * *

(Image credit)

It might take a lot of time and effort to run a business. There is always so much to do, so whenever a new year approaches, we set goals for both our personal lives and our enterprises. Typically, these include obtaining particular financial milestones, amassing 1,000 social media followers, and donning a rainbow of hues. Here are some great objectives you can establish for your company this year to help it grow, run more smoothly and effectively, and be healthier for you and your employees.

The time is now to go green

The public is working to make the world a greener and more sustainable place, as are the climate challenges. Because it is better for the environment, people take shorter showers, use less plastic, and eat less meat on a daily basis. Businesses must also commit to raising their environmental awareness. People are seeking for methods to support and stick with companies that are doing their part to protect the environment because businesses employ a lot of people, use a lot of resources, and sometimes have a big impact on environmental problems. Therefore, there are a number of things you can do to help your business save the environment by cutting back on the amount of paper it uses.

Before mailing a letter or using something for a meeting, may this be completed online? Is it possible to avoid using paper by sending it over email or putting it on a PowerPoint presentation? You might think about planting a tree for every specific item you sell. There are companies that will carry out this task on your behalf and keep track of the number of trees planted; this is a terrific way to demonstrate your environmental stewardship on social media. It’s crucial to spread awareness of this within the company, so you could buy reusable bottles with a corporate logo so that people can drink from them. You should also make sure that there are mugs available in the cabinets so that people can use them instead of paper cups and thus help the environment.

Take The Staff’s Health Into Account

Numerous steps have been taken to guarantee that workplaces are safe for the general public because of the pandemic. It’s essential to maintain control over the situation and make sure that everything is always hygienic and clean. Installing hand sanitizer stations all over the place of business, making sure the place is cleaned frequently, and taking care of things like your air conditioning units and air quality are all ways to achieve this. Consider hiring a clean air service to help you make your home healthier and cleaner if you feel they are not performing as well as they could. You can go one step further and get things like air purifiers or a commercial smoke eater to make sure the air quality is top notch. Since employees already have much to accomplish with their own job responsibilities, you should always try to hire individuals to clean the office. Once it is done, you can ensure that everyone in the office is working securely and correctly.

4 Ways To Give Your Office A Makeover And Impress Clients

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. You office space is critical not just for functionality, but also for making an impression on your clients. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Ways To Give Your Office A Makeover And Impress Clients.

* * *

https://unsplash.com/photos/FV3GConVSss

An impressive office design is one of the most important and effective ways for impressing clients. However, too many businesses will ignore factors such as this and welcome clients into an office that is cluttered and chaotic. While you may not think it has an impact, it will not impress your clients. Whether you are welcoming new clients or inviting loyal customers back to your office for the first time, an office makeover is something you must consider.

Upgrade Devices and Appliances

Upgrading your devices and appliances is an excellent way to make your office look modern and is also an excellent way to reduce office energy costs so you can remain within your budget.

Many offices across the country have embraced low-consumption appliances, while replacing outdated devices, such as laptops, computers, or tablets, makes projects and tasks more efficient, as there is no risk of crashes or lagging. These devices also possess the latest software, which enhances cybersecurity to protect data and information.

Update the Floors

If you have used the same office for a long time, there is a chance that your carpet or flooring is covered in stains or even looked ragged, especially if chairs have pulled up fibers when wheeling in and out of desks.

Upgrading the floors by replacing the surfaces with FKR Concrete Flooring will improve your office. This solution creates a contemporary office, but it can also have convenient benefits, such as being easier to clean with less chance of the furniture or spills damaging the floor. Furthermore, you have greater freedom in decorating your office with rugs to give the office more personality while remaining professional. If you live in King County in Washington State, a good company to consider for vinyl floor is vinyl flooring Sammamish.

Install Ergonomic Furniture

Ergonomic furniture is an essential addition to your workplace. Comfortable chairs with lumbar and neck support will reduce aches and pains for employees who sit down for six hours per day. You can also look at adjustable desks, which provide versatile working opportunities, as they raise the desk and work while standing to improve posture.

It’s also worth looking at your waiting areas or meeting rooms. You want clients to be comfortable whenever you present your plans for their next campaign or project. By replacing tattered sofas, you will make your office look the part.

Stabilize the Connection

Slow internet connections are the bane of many offices. A poor connection slows down the workday and hinders efficiency and productivity while also increasing frustration as yet another program crashes.

Clients do not want to wait around for you to fix the connection. They need to see you are prepared, so finding ways to speed up your internet will solve many problems. Quick internet speeds are beneficial even if you are meeting via Skype or Zoom. A stable connection prevents skipping video and audio, so you and your client can get the point across and discuss the next steps without disruption.

Impressive

An impressive office makes your business look more professional and will make a fantastic first impression on clients. By considering these tips, you benefit from maintaining and even improving your reputation and ensuring that your clients are comfortable, while common office problems are easily overcome.

Why You Should Quit Your Office Job And Work Outdoors

“If you feel dissatisfied with your work, you’re not alone. Many employees are tired of their office jobs and want to move on. More than 80 percent aren’t happy in their current roles, and 79 percent say that they have been passed over for a promotion.”

Two focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and General Education. Despite having natural gift for working outside and in blue collar fields, many people were shunted towards white collar education. Some white collar workers arrive at a point where they ponder leaving the office. The following contributed post is entitled, Why You Should Quit Your Office Job And Work Outdoors.

* * *

Unsplash – CC0 License

Office jobs tend to pay well but, as we all know, they can be unfulfilling. After you show up for work for the thousandth time, you wonder what it’s all about. Why are you just going to a cubicle every day to type on a computer? Surely, there’s a better way.

When you take a step back and look at your office job for what it is, you see all sorts of reasons to quit. Perhaps you hate your job, or you find the working environment difficult. Maybe the schedules and hours are wrong, or you don’t like the fact that you’re indoors all the time. It feels cloistered and it makes you feel tired all the time.

If you feel dissatisfied with your work, you’re not alone. Many employees are tired of their office jobs and want to move on. More than 80 percent aren’t happy in their current roles, and 79 percent say that they have been passed over for a promotion.

For many, the solution is to work freelance and just do their own thing. But for some, the real problem is the environment. Not being outside can take its toll on your health and happiness in unexpected ways.

Fortunately, there are many careers that allow you to get outside. Construction is perhaps the most obvious. To get into the industry, you will need to book a CSCS test online. Then, once you pass, you can get into the industry.

Other options include marine biologist, lifeguard, geologist, wildland firefighter, and adventure tour guide. Here are some reasons to get outside:

Reduce Stress

Perhaps the biggest reason for getting outside is that it improves your mood. When you are in the open air, you naturally feel better than when stuck indoors for hours at a time, particularly in the winter when the days are shorter.

Stress is a major factor in office work. Many employees feel like they are unable to make progress or move forwards. For some, the lack of physical activity takes a toll on their well-being and makes them feel tired all the time.

Of course, you might be worried about quitting your office job and starting fresh in a different career because of money, and that is certainly something to think about, but your health and happiness really do have to come first. Plus, you can manage better than you think on less money – you can even buy a property if you take a look at Concierge Auctions reviews to help you get started.

Of course, you might be worried about quitting your office job and starting fresh in a different career because of money, and that is certainly something to think about, but your health and happiness really do have to come first. Plus, you can manage better than you think on less money – you can even buy a property if you take a look at Concierge Auctions reviews to help you get started.

Improved Health

A few years ago, the news broke that sitting was the new smoking. Office workers up and down the country rushed to get standing desks (and even desks with treadmills).

Unfortunately, though, there’s no real substitute for actually being outdoors and moving your body naturally. While standing is better than sitting, the body still isn’t moving as much as nature intended. Human beings are wired for space. They want to move long distances.

Then there’s the sunlight issue. That’s another scarce resource in the office but essential for health, in the right doses. Being outside in the sun enables the body to produce vitamin D which is vital for multiple purposes, including preventing disease.

Improved Energy Levels

Lastly, being outside helps to boost energy levels. When we move around, we actually generate more energy in ourselves, both short and long-term. Outdoor careers allow you to combine the need for movement with the need to earn money.

4 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Home Office

A key focus of my blog Home/Living Discussions. A key piece of your home is your home office. If you set it up correctly, it could arguably become the most important part of your house. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Home Office.

* * *

Having a home office is great, as it allows you to enjoy all of the comforts of your home while still being able to maintain your productivity. Whether you’re working from home or trying to run your own online business, you need your office if you’re going to get things done without too many distractions. Many who work from home struggle to keep up the productivity that they’re able to while in the office because they feel a lot more relaxed and open to being distracted by what’s around them. While that doesn’t necessarily impact how much work they do, it can drag days out much longer.

Source

Maintain appearances

If you want to make sure you can be as productive in your home office as you are at work, then you’ll want to make sure it still somewhat feels like you’re at work. That doesn’t necessarily mean redecorating your office to match your work environment, but it could mean dressing formally and not overindulging in the things that you enjoy as decoration. It’s about being able to put yourself into the right mindset to get things done, and feeling too at home might cause you to be a little too lax for your liking.

Check your internet

If you’re going to be able to keep up with the same things that you do in the office, then you have to invest in the best satellite internet to make sure your internet is up to the job. Those who are frequently downloading and uploading for their job might face difficulties when trying to maintain their pace on a slow internet connection. A slow connection can cost you minutes if not hours of your day trying to download and upload files – which is far from ideal.

You should consider looking into different internet providers if you’re wanting to speed up your internet. There are plenty that can offer you a decent package for your money, and you might find that there are better ones with your current providers depending on how old your contract is.

Keep it tidy

One of the most difficult things about working from home is trying not to get distracted. You’re free to do what you want, and you could just get up and walk around your home doing whatever. When it comes to your office, you should make sure there’s not too much that can distract you. Any mess that you’ve left can cause you to procrastinate, so it’s best to make sure that you handle any of that before it comes time to get your work done.

Remember to take breaks

Just because you’re at home and comfortable, doesn’t mean you don’t need breaks of your own. You should make sure that you take breaks at usual times, if not longer if your schedule allows it. Working from home is something that should still be comfortable, and there’s no need to overwork yourself – even if you’re running your own business, you should break up your days.

3 Genius Ways To Lower Your Office Energy Costs

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Workplace Discussions. If you’re running a business with a designated office space, you have to be mindful of your energy costs and usage. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Genius Ways To Lower Your Office Energy Costs.

* * *

Typically, your office will have some pretty high energy demands. You use a lot of electricity every single day to do your jobs, not to mention the energy spent on your heating and cooling system. As such, you end up with extortionate energy bills. While you might be able to claim these as a tax expense, it doesn’t stop the fact that you’re spending a lot of money every month, disrupting the cash flow for your business.

Luckily, there are three easy ways you can lower your office energy costs:

Image Link (CC0 License)

Switch to more energy-efficient appliances

What equipment do you use in your office? Mainly, you will have computers, printers, and other things like this. Well, you can save energy by switching to more energy-efficient versions of these things. Instead of powering up big computers and monitors every single day, use laptops. They won’t need to be plugged into a power source the whole time, reducing the amount of electricity that you use. Instead of a standard coffee machine that’s plugged into the wall, get something like a filter coffee maker that doesn’t have such high energy demands. Little changes like this will make a massive difference.

Upgrade the roof

A lot of heat gets lost through the roof of your office, meaning winter energy bills can go through the roof (no pun intended). Therefore, you can fix the situation with a roofing upgrade. Install a better quality roof with better insulative properties. If your roof is already pretty good, you may only need a little bit of commercial roof repair to ensure that it retains as much heat as possible. For a more extravagant idea, adding solar panels to your roof will help you subsidize your electricity bill with free energy.

Image Link (CC0 License)

Spend less time in the office

This is the best tip as it can drastically reduce your office energy demands. Since March 2020, we’ve all become aware that working from home really isn’t that bad. As a result, your business may want to consider implementing a day or two per week where people can work from home. This is a genius idea as it actually provides two advantages. Let’s say people work from home on Friday or Monday, it makes them feel like they’re having an extra day off work every week. Yes, they are still working hard, but they don’t have to get up as early, they can feel more relaxed, and there’s no afternoon commute through traffic to get home. Obviously, from an energy-saving perspective, if your office is empty for a day or two every week, you are using way less energy throughout the month. This translates to a lower energy bill that’s easier for your business to manage.

There you have it; three genius ways to lower your office energy bills without making major sacrifices. All of these ideas are super simple for a business to implement. You can choose to implement only one idea, but combining them together will give you the best results.

How To Maintain Your Office Building

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. If you’re running a business that involves an office setting, one of your considerations should be maintaining your office building. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Maintain Your Office Building.

* * *

As a business owner, one of the most important things that you can do for both yourself and your employees is to maintain your office building. Even if you only rent the space and you don’t own the space outright, you need to make sure that it’s safe, comfortable, and a worthy environment in which to work. Would you want to see a broken, rundown office with no outdoor space to go to? Of course, you wouldn’t! A poorly maintained commercial building doesn’t offer much in the way of confidence about your business. This is especially true if you own the building itself. You want to be able to invest your time and efforts in your business, but you can only do that if you feel comfortable in the first place. You can’t expect your employees to feel comfortable if you don’t, either!

We are not just going to talk about how to maintain the actual office building in this article. We are going to talk about how you can maintain the grounds, too. Companies like McConnell and Associates are there to help you when it comes to ground surfacing and the ground work outside, and if you are looking to create an outdoor eating area or an outdoor social space, this is one of the best things that you could do for the morale of your employees. You want to make sure that they feel comfortable in every area of the office. Below, we’ve got some of the best tips that you need to maintain your office building and the surrounding area so customers, clients, employees and yourself want to be there.

Image source: Pexels

● Don’t wait around on office repairs. If you care about maintenance in your office building, then you should care about making sure that property damage is not a long-term thing. Even the smallest damaged area in your building can cause a range of problems, and your employees will never feel at ease inside a building that looks unsafe. Clients would also judge you on face value, and if you want to make a good impression, fix it up now.
● Keep an eye out for leaks. One of the best ways to maintain your office building is to ensure that there are no leaks in your plumbing. If you notice any leaking going on, you have to get it fixed as soon as you notice it. If everybody who works with you is trying to look out for these kinds of things, there are lots of issues that could be nipped in the bud before they become too big. Sure, you would call a plumber to come and actually fix things for you, but you should make sure that you are on top of these issues that happen as they occur.
● Hire the right people. When it comes to office maintenance, you don’t have to do it yourself. It is perfectly reasonable to outsource the maintenance and cleaning and care of your office. The building on the inside needs security, a janitor to maintain the flooring, a cleaner to maintain all the fixtures and fittings – there are many people that make up the team that will help you to maintain your office building. On the outside, you’ll need the right contractors and plumbers, electricians and carpenters on speed dial to come and make any changes or repairs as they are needed. Proper building maintenance ensures that your building doesn’t feel old and rundown too quickly. Let’s not forget this will be quite a lot of footfall traffic in and out of the building, so you want to make sure that the building looks great.
● Keep on top of upgrades. An office building that was bought 10 years ago, will need some upgrades to keep it looking as good as it did at the start. A dollar earned is a dollar saved or so they say, but it doesn’t hold true when it comes to property maintenance. You don’t want to cut too many corners here – your property relies on you to keep it going. Any foundation issues, cracks in the plaster of the walls, cracks in the car park outside because the ground has been used so much by different cars – all of these need to be looked into. Keep on top of the upgrades, and you create a comfortable working environment for all.

Image Source: Pexels

● Make sure that you hire a good security team. A big part of maintaining your office building is going to be keeping it secure. From the security you’re going to need at the perimeter, to the security that you need at the front desk, you need to make sure that the access points to the building are secure. If you have a lot of employees, or clients going in and out of the building, it makes sense to have the right measures in place to keep intruders or people without an appointment away. It may feel like you’re going overboard from time to time, but knowing who is going in and out of the building is a safety issue. What if you have guests in the building and the fire alarm goes off? What if there are clients coming up the stairs, but there has been a security breach inside? Safety is important, and maintaining your office building is much easier when you know you have eyes on the ground while you’re busy running your business.
● Perform regular HVAC and boiler maintenance. Whether you have a boiler, an air conditioning system, a heating system or integrated elevators of your building, all of these things need to be maintained to keep your office building working well. It stands to reason that when you have a lot of people in the building you need that elevator working, and you need to make sure that people are at the right temperature. When you perform regular maintenance on these items, you can ensure optimal working conditions at all times. Nobody wants to work somewhere where the management of the building doesn’t care about comfort and safety. Not only will you make sure that there are no issues with your elevators or your HVAC, you’re not going to have to worry about your employees being disgruntled at the way you’re handling things.
● Get some good reviews on cleaners. Maintaining your office building includes the internal cleaning of the building. This means that you need to hear about the cleaning companies local to you and about their reputations. The people occupying the building don’t extend just to your employees. You have visitors and clients coming in and out, too. People leave rubbish behind and that’s unavoidable but it does mean that you need to address this every single day. The only appropriate and correct solution for this is to hire a good cleaning company who will be able to maintain a clean working environment for your building and given that we’ve just come through a pandemic – and are still going through it – you want to know that the building itself is somewhere clean and hygienic for people to work. An uncluttered and organized office space is somewhere that people will want to spend time, and while you can definitely offer a hybrid working environment, a good cleaning company will help.

Maintaining your office building helps you to maintain your reputation as a provider and business that cares about employees. Have a little pride – make sure that your workspace reflects your brand values!

How To Protect Your Health In The Office

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Workplace Discussions. Depending upon the workplace, there can be hazards and dangers involved no matter how miniscule. Protecting your health is thus of the utmost importance. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Protect Your Health In The Office.

* * *

Image Pexels CC0 License

Working in an office may seem like an easy option compared to jobs that involve lots of physical activity. However, sitting at a desk for hours every day and looking at a screen can be bad for your health and wellbeing. While physical jobs such as construction and working in a factory may present more of an immediate risk to health with an increased chance of injuries, office work brings its own risks; they are just in a more subtle form.

Protecting your health should always be a priority regardless of the industry you work in and the type of job you have. Good health is precious but often taken for granted, so actively looking for ways to take the best care of your health and wellbeing is essential, even when at work. Here are some of the ways you can help to protect your health when you work in a desk job:

Take Care of Your Eyes

Eye strain is a common problem experienced by people that spend much of their time looking at screens. Looking at a screen all day can take its toll on your eyes, leaving them feeling sore, tired, and itchy. Experiencing discomfort in your eyes can impact your productivity and may continue even when you are away from the office. Luckily, you can make office work easier on your eyes. Having your eyes checked regularly is crucial when you work in an office. An eye exam could help detect any underlying issues causing you discomfort, such as undiagnosed chronic uveitis or other eye conditions and ensure you receive treatment promptly.

You may find it helpful to adjust the brightness of your screen, as lowering the brightness level can help reduce eye strain.

Look After Your Posture

Sitting down all day can cause your posture to become hunched, which can be exacerbated if you feel tense and stressed. When at your desk for long periods, you may notice pain and stiffness in your neck and lower back.

Taking care of your posture and strengthening your core can help to alleviate some of the stiffness and discomfort associated with working at a desk throughout the day. Getting up and moving away from your desk frequently should help ease any pain caused by long periods of sitting. It is also helpful to adjust your desk set up to sit in a position that encourages good posture. Adjusting the height of your screen, keeping your mouse closer to you, and using a chair with back support can all help.

Make Time for Breaks

One of the most beneficial things you can do to protect your health in the office is to take regular breaks. Rest breaks are the best way to avoid the stiffness caused by sitting in one place for too long and will also ease the eye strain caused by looking at a screen for long periods. So, stepping outside and taking a lunch break doesn’t just break up the day; it also protects your health.

How To Weatherproof Your Office Space

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Workplace Discussions. If you have office space, you want to make sure that it’s safe and resilient in terms of the elements and seasons. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Weatherproof Your Office Space.

* * *

The weather affects businesses in many ways ranging from employees, products, properties, and, more importantly, customers. Therefore, it is advisable to be prepared for adverse weather conditions, especially when 60% of small business owners admit to its negative effects on their operations. If you are serious about protecting your investment, it can be useful to consider these four best ways to weatherproof your small business.

1. Get insured

Image Credit

Insurance is useful for protecting your small business. A study has shown that one in every three businesses suffer hazards every year, although most businesses are underinsured or have none at all. By protecting from harm caused by flooding, fires, or damages due to a natural disaster, business insurance is necessary for securing your investment. There are different insurance and covers, so it would be best if you talked to your broker about the right insurance plan for your business. It is also worth noting that insurance prices can be higher depending on the risk factors in your business location.

2. Install roller shutters

Roller shutters can play a significant role in weatherproofing your business against extreme conditions. From fires to storms and tornadoes, having a robust guard can keep your goods and working teams safe and protected from devastating weather outside. For instance, strong winds can carry flying objects towards your windows, which is one of the common causes of property damage during extreme conditions. It is important to find shutters made from high-quality materials, designed with weather in mind to protect your small business. Fortunately, you can get tailored plantation and outdoor shutters for your particular business needs.

3. Earthquake proofing

According to Govcon, earthquakes cost the US approximately $4.4 billion each year. Therefore, it would be best to consider ways to protect your business against earthquakes. While an insurance cover is one of the easiest ways to protect against earthquake damages, you can call in the construction company to review your building structure, including its foundations, walls and upgrade with new tech to make your structure safe again. You may also prepare and communicate a response plan and secure your documents and files to guard against any ruins an earthquake will pose to your business.

4. Install lighting rods

Image Credit

Most businesses depend on electronics to run their operations. Although protecting your business against floods, burglary, and fire outbreaks is good, you cannot ignore other risks such as lightning strikes. It can be unfortunate to get to your workplace only to realize that your computers, communication systems, and other equipment are down after a storm. Consider installing lightning rods to disperse both direct and indirect strikes, use efficient surge protectors or arresters, or purchase a UPS system to keep your workplace gadgets safe. Likewise, it can also be useful to have a recovery plan if the worst happens.

It is essential to be proactive rather than reactive to secure your investment. The harsh weather can expose your small business to several risks and losses, so it will be best if you consider these tips to protect your small business.