The Impact of Office Design on Employee Well-Being
In the modern landscape of work, where employee well-being has taken centre stage, the significance of office design has transcended mere aesthetics.
It has evolved into a powerful catalyst for enhancing the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of the workforce. Join us on a journey as we delve into the fascinating realm of office design and its profound impact on the well-being of employees.
In this thought-provoking blog, we will explore how thoughtful office elements such as natural light, ergonomic furniture, and vibrant colours contribute to creating a positive work environment.
Explore insights into how these factors can boost employee mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being to cultivate an environment that promotes productivity, fosters creativity, and nurtures a sense of belonging.
Cultivating Wellness Initiatives
Learn practical ways to integrate wellness initiatives into your workspace.
From designated relaxation zones to encouraging regular breaks. By fostering a culture of self-care, you empower employees to prioritise their mental and physical health, leading to reduced burnout and increased job satisfaction.
Embracing these practices not only supports employee well-being but also enhances team morale, collaboration, and overall workplace happiness.
Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
Explore the significance of offering flexible work options and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
Understand how providing remote work opportunities, flexible hours, and time-off policies can contribute to a positive work environment that supports employees’ personal lives.
In today’s dynamic work landscape, embracing flexibility and work-life balance has become crucial for creating a positive work environment.
Offering remote work opportunities allows employees to find a comfortable balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.
Providing flexible hours gives them the freedom to structure their workday in a way that suits their individual needs, whether it’s accommodating family commitments or personal preferences.
Moreover, implementing thoughtful time-off policies ensures that employees can recharge and rejuvenate without feeling overwhelmed by work-related stressors.
based on results rather than strict office hours, promoting a results-driven culture.
By empowering employees with flexible schedules, you enhance well-being, trust, loyalty, and productivity. This fosters a positive work environment and reduces burnout, boosting job satisfaction.
Fostering a Sense of Belonging and Inclusivity
Delve into the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity within your workspace.
Discover strategies for creating an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and part of a diverse community. Learn how these efforts can enhance collaboration and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
So, what might that strategy look like?
Open Dialogue: Establish regular feedback sessions where employees can voice their ideas, concerns, and suggestions without hesitation. This creates a culture of transparency and mutual respect.Try having regular appraisals with your employees to check in with their needs and address your needs from them as their employer.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Encourage collaboration across different departments or teams to expose employees to varied viewpoints, skills and reduce the risk of siloed departments.
Diverse Leadership: Promote diversity in leadership positions to inspire inclusivity and provide role models for employees from all backgrounds.
Cultural Celebrations: Organise events that celebrate diverse cultures, fostering understanding and appreciation for differences.
Employee Resource Groups: Create forums for employees to connect based on shared interests, backgrounds, or experiences.
Inclusive Policies: Ensure policies are inclusive and considerate of all employees’ needs, including religious observances, cultural practices, and family commitments.
An inclusive environment encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work, promoting a sense of belonging.
When employees feel valued and respected, they’re more likely to collaborate effectively, exchange ideas, and contribute to the overall success of the organisation.
Diverse perspectives enrich problem-solving processes and lead to innovative solutions. As employees from different backgrounds interact and share insights, they break down barriers, strengthen relationships, and create a united, harmonious workplace culture.
Inclusive efforts not only enhance collaboration but also cultivate a positive atmosphere that fosters loyalty, job satisfaction, and individual growth, ultimately propelling the organisation towards success.
Embracing Employee Well-Being for Success
Incorporating these insights and strategies into your workspace can have a profound impact on your company’s success.
Nurturing a positive work environment not only boosts employee well-being but also enhances productivity, innovation, and overall business growth. Prioritising employee happiness is a win-win for everyone involved.
In recent years, co-working spaces have become increasingly popular as start-ups and freelancers explore methods to boost productivity whilst taking advantage of the cost reductions offered by coworking facilities.
Coworking spaces are ideal for business owners and freelancers seeking shared resources and networking to enhance success and productivity.
They offer a cost-effective alternative for freelancers and small business owners to grow their ventures and provide a distraction-free, collaborative environment for professionals to work creatively.
Enjoy high-quality, flexible office settings at a lower cost. This blog highlights 5 benefits for freelancers.
Collaboration
Coworking spaces foster efficiency and collaboration.
By renting coworking space, you have the opportunity to work alongside like-minded businesses, facilitating the exchange of ideas, resources, and information that can unveil novel business solutions.
Additionally, the bright, modern, and open environment encourages connections and collaboration, ultimately leading to greater success and productivity.
Moreover, working in a shared environment like a coworking space introduces you to individuals with a diverse range of skills and professions.
These connections can support the development of your own skills, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and uncovering new talents.
Creativity
Co-working environments are a haven for freelancers’ creativity. They encourage productivity, teamwork, and improved mental well-being because of bright, open spaces that promote resource exchange. This flexible setting spurs innovation in goods, services, and commercial prospects.
Furthermore, collaboration in shared workspaces enables freelancers to acquire valuable knowledge and expertise from peers.
Discipline
Coworking environments can have the added benefit of encouraging discipline. You are able to choose your own schedules and concentrate on the job at hand. As a result, an increased sense of ownership and responsibility may boost performance and effectiveness.
Another benefit of co-working spaces is the sense of community it fosters which encourages a sense of belonging supporting you to feel like you have the support you need to build your business at your pace.
Networking
Networking is a great benefit of coworking space. Freelancers have the opportunity to network with other experts in coworking space giving them the opportunity to learn from like-minded businesses and experts in their field.
By gaining valuable market insights you would have the opportunity to improve your decision-making process and productivity helping your business to thrive. Coworking spaces are the perfect setting for networking since they foster a casual, cooperative environment.
Resources
Coworking spaces offer access to a range of services that facilitate achieving business objectives.
These spaces commonly provide workstations, Wi-Fi, conference rooms, and other amenities, enhancing productivity and convenience.
Moreover, they grant access to a network of similar professionals, aiding in the formation of business prospects and partnerships, thereby promoting business growth. Utilizing tools from co-working spaces enables freelancers to save money, which can then be reinvested into their businesses.
Coworking facilities provide a range of benefits for everyone. Coworking spaces benefit all by fostering innovation, productivity, networking, and collaboration. Access to cost-effective tools aids freelancers and SMEs in business growth. Explore our coworking page for package details and facilities. Join the creative community now. Book your coworking space to nurture your business.
Want to know more about St James Business Centre, Warrington?
The business was formed off the back of their love of design inside and out. The team at Standing Space love solving problems & creating spaces that have an impact.
To achieve a “home” which works for all of the occupiers, and to witness the joy in seeing a project completed, are their motivations.
Where is standing space today?
After 8 years in business, we have established a reputation for quality design by exceeding our client’s expectations in every project we undertake.
Since first starting the business, we have grown our client base, which has increased our opportunities to work on a range of projects such as offices, coffee shops, retail spaces and more.
Tell us a little about your business.
Standing Space Limited is an Interior Design and Architectural practice.
We specialise in the interiors marketplace. So, what do we do?
Well, we have huge experience in the commercial office field, refurbishment, and fit-out of Offices.
We also do retail, education, healthcare and industrial projects.
We are a small team of 3-4 and pride ourselves on the quality of the work we produce, being able to turn things around quickly for our clients and retaining original contact through projects.
When did you start working in design?
I started working in design after graduating from Cardiff in 1995.
Back then we were in a recession and so getting a job as a new graduate wasn’t easy.
During challenging economic times, I have had to adopt various roles to continue working.
In addition to being an interior designer I have been a project manager delivering schemes and an architectural technician detailing architectural schemes as part of a project team.
All these skills are hugely beneficial to my job today.
What inspired you to start Standing Space?
I have always been hugely proud and inspired by my Dad and the businesses he created and ran. So, it was an idea that I had carried around for many years. The time just seemed right to give it a go and so Standing Space was formed.
What are your business’s core principles?
Our core principles shape our company culture, decision-making, and brand identity.
With a client-centric approach, we tailor design services to exceed expectations by understanding needs and objectives.
Quality craftsmanship defines us, showcasing attention, creativity, and functionality.
Collaboration and transparent communication are key.
Building meaningful relationships with clients, partners, and suppliers fosters trust.
Our passionate dedication drives excellence in every project, creating spaces that elevate experiences and leave lasting impressions.
Why did you choose St James Business Centre as your base and what do you like most about it?
Living in South Warrington we wanted to find premises that was on the same side of town so we didn’t have to battle traffic to get across town.
I didn’t realise how big St James Business Centre was, I had only noticed it from passing along Wilderspool Causeway.
We love the community feel at St James Business Centre, the managed reception area manned by Bev, the Langtree building management team and of course, the great parking as we have many visitors.
We are very happy at St James Business Centre.
Do you have any tips on how to improve mental wellbeing in the office using design?
We believe thoughtful design significantly boosts employee satisfaction, productivity, and happiness. Incorporating natural light and outdoor views reduces stress. Biophilic elements like plants bring calm. Flexible, comfortable workspaces with ergonomic furniture support improved wellbeing. Dedicated relaxation spaces manage stress effectively.
We also like to incorporate spaces that are dedicated to relaxation or mindfulness activities that can really help to manage stress levels.
What are some of your most recent projects?
Pretty Little Thing Headquarters
Pretty Little Thing was midway through a first-floor extension at Wellington Mill to create agile space on the ground floor.
They contacted Standing Space for design alignment with their brand. Standing Space delivered striking interior design proposals following 3D concept approval.
Detailed drawings and specifications were prepared. The unique, vibrant pink workplace stands out remarkably. Check the case study pictures for proof.
196 Deansgate Manchester
Standing Space was appointed by Commercial Estates Group Limited (CEG) to design a show suite at 196 Deansgate, Manchester. We decided early on to embrace all of the building’s beautiful heritage features, which included metal riveted steel columns, exposed brickwork, safe doors, sash windows & fireplaces.
The floor was divided into a variety of different types of work areas, desking, team spaces, quiet zones, and soft seating. Alongside the work areas, we designed and created a suite of meeting rooms and a very special ‘workspitality’, (hospitality at work) breakout space, which overlooks Deansgate creating a restaurant feel within the office.
Oh yes, it is a commercial interiors showstopper!
Vestas
Following a successful project for Vestas in Warrington we were approached we were approached to fit out their new Edinburgh office for their team.
This project was a great example of creating a workplace interior that connected to the business brand. We enhanced the brand colours by using softer tones and wood textures alongside the corporate colour palette.
This corporate interiors project re-used the cellular spaces already in place, adapting them to suit the agreed layout, and adding new manifestation to glazing partitioning.
A breakout room was constructed, and we coordinated new office furniture supply and installation, including bespoke pieces for a standout desig
How do you achieve a work life balance?
Balancing work and life as a business owner is tough, yet feasible with conscious effort and effective strategies. I set boundaries, prevent work from encroaching on personal time, and initiated a wellness scheme that grants alternate Fridays off. This successful initiative provides the team and me a relaxing day for personal activities.
What is next for Standing Space?
Looking ahead, we aim to excel in client work and expand our project portfolio. Our focus includes fostering employee growth through skill development, learning, and empowerment for greater challenges. As a small design practice, we aspire to cultivate a skilled team contributing to the future of design.
In an era of hybrid working your work and home life can become intertwined. The lines between the two become blurred and it can become challenging to know how to separate the two. Conversional workspaces allow you a set desk to work from without distraction, once your day is done you can switch off and go home.
Hard work utilises energy which is perfectly normally but pushing your workers past the point of fatigue is one of the fasted ways to ensure burn out.
Employee burnout is an extensive issue for employees and employers alike. According to research by MetLife, employees could be costing UK companies as much as £700m a year in lost productivity with over 80 million hours of lost employee time due to sickness. The same research revealed that 44% of employees admit to calling in sick due to feeling exhausted, stressed, depressed, overwhelmed, and unmotivated.
Let’s take a look at 5 ways you can reduce fatigue within your team.
1. Develop a sense of identity.
Providing your team with a purpose can be a powerful motivational tool, promoting a shared sense of identity among your team supports them to identify more as a member of the team rather than a sole worker and with the motivation and connection increase the risk of burnout decreases.
A shared sense of values, direction and purpose should be maintained even if the workforce is separated.
2. Plan regular breaks.
It can become frustrating staring at a screen all day but it’s also bad for your health. Productivity paralysis is a symptom of an overworked and exhausted mind. Productivity paralysis is typically an unconscious response to feeling stressed or overwhelmed; especially when your to-do list has got so far out of hand that you can’t imagine ever getting everything done.
Being constrained to a 30-minute lunch break is a thing of the past. We live in a word where we are more aware of the short term and long-term damages of being tethered to the desk all day. Employers should make sure their team are taking regular breaks, drinking enough water, eating enough food, and managing their to-do lists effectively.
3. Change the environment.
When fatigue settles in, and creative block strikes, employees should spend a little time outdoors, ensure your team are taking advantage of the local environment, greenspace, breakout spaces and co-working spaces within the office. Changing the environment can lead to your team becoming more focused and creatively inspired.
A 2021 report by the UK’s Mental Health Foundation found that 70% of UK adults agreed being close to nature improves their mood, and 49% said being close to nature helps them to cope with stress, so why not take your team on a walk through the local park and work on those team building skills.
4. Keep your coffee to the mornings.
Did you know that, drinking coffee throughout the day can increase your fatigue rather than dispelling it?
Caffeine works by binding to blocking receptors of the compound responsible for making us feel tired as the day progresses. However, the brain continues to produce the compound and as the caffeine starts to wear off you feel more tired than your would if you had not had that afternoon caffeine hit to get you through the day.
We all need a morning cup off coffee to get us going but trying to avoid caffeine after 2pm is normally a good rule.
5. Try introducing flexitime.
Workers tend to be at their most creative and energised when they have greater control over their working hours. Being able to plan their working hours around the school run, gym sessions, or just some much-needed rest and relaxation can boost the quality and quantity of work produced. With true autonomy over their working hours, employees can achieve a much healthier work-life balance.
Make sure you regularly check in on your team and communicate with them, asking them what support they need is a great place to start and doing so could promote productivity and enhance your success.
Effective team meetings and meetings with clients are really important as this is your time to solidify your position in your business and show your team and its clients exactly why your business is the best place to be but where do you start? How can you run an effective and successful meeting?
In this blog we will discuss why meetings are so important and how you can run yours most effectively.
Why are meetings important?
Meetings are crucial for communication across various organisational segments. Teams, despite diverse viewpoints, collaborate towards shared goals. Regular meetings foster communication, idea exchange, and collaboration, key elements for success regardless of team roles
What are the 4 p’s of effective meetings?
Purpose
Why are you meeting? What is the purpose? Are you meeting for a general catch-up with your team to see if they need any support or are you checking in on the progress your team is making towards completing its goals?
Planning
Where are you meeting? How long for?
The environment that you and your participants are in can directly affect your performance and the tone of your meeting.
Running an in-person meeting with your clients or your team in a bright and modern space will enhance the natural performance of your team and in turn breed more creative ideas.
For quick team meetings try using co-working space, an open and relaxed environment made for collaboration.
For more private and professional meetings opt for a meeting room or a boardroom. These are completely private and professional spaces built to impress your clients.
Lucky for you we have the perfect spaces available to hire, you can hire one of our professional meeting rooms here.
Preparation
Have an agenda. A meeting agenda readies participants by outlining the purpose and discussion points, aiding goal achievement through defined objectives and time frames.
Participation
Engage with your participants through regular intervals, ask questions to keep people engaged with what is going on.
What are your thoughts? Does anyone have anything to add?
Not questions to intentionally catch your team out but questions to make people feel like you want them to be involved and are interested in listening to their opinion.
Sometimes people can feel a little overwhelmed and actively engaging with the introverts of the session can ensure that they are part of the team instead of feeling like a spare part.
Finally
Don’t forget to follow-up with your team after the meeting itself. After you’ve run your meeting, you might want to deliver a follow-up email if what has been discussed and what those discussion points will affect.
We hope we have helped you with some tips on how to run effective meetings.
Team meetings are an important and crucial part of building your team and achieving your business objectives.
When done well, meetings can help improve overall performance of the team and the productivity of individual team members.
For high-quality meeting spaces, explore our meeting rooms and co-working space. Contact our team for further details through our website by clicking here.
For the space you need to carry out effective in-person meetings, take a look at our meeting rooms and co-working space or contact our team for more information via our website by clicking here.
Want to know more about St James Business Centre, Warrington?
Our meeting and conferencing facilities, on-site café and spacious internal courtyards means your business has access to everything it needs under one roof.
Discover the benefits of office, co-working, and virtual office space. Read on to find out more about what the difference is between each one, how you can benefit from our space and ultimately which workspace is right for you, your team and ultimately, the success of your business.
Running a business can have its challenges and we know that choosing the perfect workspace can be time consuming and can only add to those challenges especially when you’re not quite sure if you are ready for office space or you just require co-working space from time to time.
Whatever your needs, St James Business Centre is here to help. Here is the ultimate guide to different types of office space here at St James.
Office space keeps your employees productive, encourages collaboration, boosts employee morale, and manifests your company culture. Our office space is rented space to suit your needs meaning you can have the perfect space to grow your business.
Flexibility is one of St James Business Centre’s biggest strengths and our varying sizes of office space are designed to ensure your business can grow.
Our office space offers a space for you to collaborate with your team and work on those business goals together.
It provides you with a space to advertise just how great your company culture is and keep an eye on your team’s well-being ensuring that your business is on its way to success.
Having everyone under one roof also makes it easier to manage the team as a whole. Here at St James Business Centre, we also have everything under one roof, helping your business achieve the very best.
We have high-speed internet available onsite and access to high-quality meeting rooms at a discounted rate.
With an array of communal kitchen areas, large break-out spaces, and an on-site café it doesn’t get better than our conventional and serviced office spaces.
Whether you are a start-up or established business, looking to work individually or collaboratively, sometimes you don’t need an entire office.
A co-working space is a shared workspace available for general use by individuals and organisations.
It is a workspace historically used by freelancers and start-ups, helping them to be independent but with the community feel, and structure of working with others, allowing them to network with like-minded business and gain different insights into their business.
Our co-working space in Warrington offers maximum flexibility for any business type. Meet like-minded business people, discover new opportunities and save on office space costs here at St James Business Centre.
Whilst using our co-working spaces you can benefit from our on-site café, extensive on-site parking, professional meet and greet service, free Wi-Fi and use of our large breakout spaces.
A virtual office is an alternative to having an office space providing businesses with a combination of services.
We know how it is. You need to create the right first impression for your business.
A virtual office gives you a professional address with mail handling that lets you professionally represent your business.
Purchasing a virtual office space allows your business to call St James Business Centre its home without the overheads of running an office.
Our virtual office package provides you with a professional business address, mail collection and forwarding as well as use of our high-quality meeting rooms at a discounted rate.
At St James Business Centre we understand that setting up a business can be costly, but why let your company’s professional image suffer because of it?
Most people tend to be more productive in the office, there are fewer distractions such as noise and constant movement.
This means workers can spend more time focusing on their work tasks. The removal of distractions heightens concentration levels and can encourage a productive team.
On the other hand, co-working space is good for productivity because co-working is specifically intended to accommodate the needs of independent and hybrid workers.
This includes areas for concentrated work, for virtual and face-to-face meetings and regular networking opportunities with other business within the building
Networking
A co-working space is great for networking as popular spaces build a network of like-minded workers.
This means co-working spaces are a great opportunity to meet new business contacts, share advice with other entrepreneurs and connect with people who have complementary skills.
In your office, hosting events is easier since no permission or extra payment for space is needed.
When considering what spaces work for you it is important to note that co-working networking is much more natural, however, can take a long time to form.
Flexibility
All of our spaces here at St James Business Centre boast flexibility. Brilliant for business growth. Our working environment provides you with the ultimate freedom for starting-up or expanding your business. Whatever you need. We are here to help.
Control
How much control would you like over your workspace. Offices provide you with a home away form home.
Personalise your space to fit your business and enhance your team’s productivity. Build your brand and let the people know just who you are the minute they step through your door.
There are clear benefits to having office, co-working and virtual office space but ultimately only you can decide which one is right for your business. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in contact. Just email: info@stjameswarrington.co.uk
St James Business Centre is an 80,000 sq. ft. building offering serviced offices, conventional offices, and virtual office space to rent in Warrington town centre, we are close to train stations and offer extensive on-site parking. We also offer co-working space for anyone needing flexible working without the demands of permanent office space.
Digital transformation is on the horizon, and we know how challenging it can be to keep up with all the latest trends, so instead of spending hours researching we’ve done all the hard work for you.
Read more below to find what technologies are gaining the most traction and the most important trends any business should be ready for. Here are our top 9 tech trends in 2023.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is advancing, enabling the creation of novel materials with features like self-healing.
It involves manipulating atoms and molecules at the nanoscale to design and produce structures, devices, and systems.
While CRISPR-Cas9, a lab tool altering DNA, has been present, the upcoming year will drive gene editing progress, enhancing our ability to modify nature.
Gene editing can rectify DNA mutations, address food allergies, bolster crop health, and even modify human traits such as hair and eye color.
AI
AI is omnipresent in contactless shopping, autonomous systems, deliveries, Systems like ChatGPT, enhance efficiency.
As we employ it more, the time it takes to complete tasks shrink, promoting productivity.
In 2023, AI will tangibly benefit businesses by streamlining tasks and enabling intelligent product creation through drag-and-drop interfaces.
Metaverse
Companies have already been using metaverse technology like AR & VR to conduct things like training, but this is said to accelerate in 2023.
Have you ever used Metaverse tech to conduct your training sessions?
It is predicted that the metaverse will add $5 trillion to the global economy. One area to watch for the metaverse is in the office.
In the next few years, we could have more immersive meeting spaces where we can enjoy co-working in a completely different way than we have before.
Microsoft and Nvidia are two companies already developing metaverse platforms for collaborating on digital projects.
Are you going to be next?
Quantum computing
Quantum computing uses subatomic particles to create new ways of processing and storing information.
It is a technological leap that’s expected to bring us computers capable of operating a trillion times more quickly than the fastest traditional processors available today.
Chatbots
Chatbots… love them or hate them?
Robots are set to become even more like humans in both appearance and capability. They are set to become real world event greeters, bartenders, and companions for older adults.
They will also perform complex tasks in warehouses and factories as they work alongside humans in manufacturing and logistics.
Progress in web3
Blockchain technology will also advance through the course of this year but what does that mean?
At the moment we are storing everything in the cloud, however, if we digitally distribute that data storage and encrypt that data using blockchain, our information will not only be safer, but we’ll have innovative ways to access and analyse it.
Blockchain is ideal for delivering information since it offers immediate, shared, and transparent data on an immutable ledger accessible solely by permissioned network members.
Bridging the digital and physical world
There are two components of bridging the digital and physical world: digital twin technology and 3D Printing.
Digital transformation is upon us and delaying digital transformation will only have negative effects.
Digital twins are virtual simulations of real-world processes or products that people use to test new innovative ideas in a secure digital environment.
Designers and engineers are using digital twins to recreate objects in virtual worlds to allow them to test every condition without the high costs of real-life experiments.
After testing and making adjustments, the 3D printing technology is used to create the physical objects.
Formula 1 teams have been using these processes to improve the performance of their cars by collecting data transmitted from sensors during races, allowing them to make changes to the designs of their cars in short periods of time.
Progress in autonomous systems
It’s all about working smarter. Business leaders will continue to move towards creating more autonomous processes and systems.
At its core an autonomous system is any technology that can make its own decision, self-driving cars, trucks, and ships as well as delivery robots that will be emerging in the coming years, and even more warehouses and factories will implement autonomous technology.
Autonomous systems when used efficiently have the power to drastically increase productivity with the workplace and it might be a little while before we see widespread distribution, but autonomous systems are inevitable.
More sustainable technology
Last but not least, we will see more of a push toward sustainable technology this year.
The smartphones, tablets, and computers we use daily support us to work more efficiently and keep up-to-date with the latest trends, so it’s easy to become addicted.
Globally, people average 6 hours 58 minutes of screen time per day and daily screen time has increased by nearly 50 minutes per day since 2013.
Keeping that in mind, do you genuinely consider the origin and production process of your tech?
2023 is about making more conscious decisions about the tech we are using.
Did you know cloud services like Netflix and Spotify are still running in huge data centres that consume vast amounts of energy?
This year we will see a push toward making supply chains more transparent, as consumers demand that the products and services, they invest in are energy efficient and backed by more sustainable technology.
The way we live is drastically changing are we really ready for it or are you feeling somewhat resistant?
St James Business Centre is an 80,000 sq. ft. building offering serviced offices, conventional offices, and virtual office space to rent in Warrington town centre, we are close to train stations and offer extensive on-site parking. We also offer co-working space for anyone needing flexible working without the demands of permanent office space.
With the start of a new year comes a lot of resolutions. Most of the time, these are personal resolutions. However, you can also set resolutions for your business, which will help your business to grow more successfully.
So, as 2022 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on your business and plan how you want it to develop in the year ahead. How has it performed? What worked well? What didn’t work well? And what can you do to make 2023 a success?
In this blog, you’ll find 10 resolutions geared toward tackling challenges you might face professionally as well as steps you can take to sell more, become more efficient, and scale your businesses to new heights in 2023.
Better business planning
This is key to all businesses no matter their size. But many business owners don’t take planning seriously enough or only do it monthly or even quarterly. Making it a part of your weekly routine can help you plan much more effectively. Why not read our blog on your 2023 marketing strategy here?
Delegate, delegate, delegate
Sometimes, as a business owner, you’ll try and take on everything yourself. You might be able to do this for a short time, but eventually you’ll find it increasingly difficult to manage every aspect of your business yourself. Delegating tasks to others can take the pressure off you and let you concentrate on the most important ones you need to be in charge of.
Promote your business
This should be a priority every year, of course. But it’s often something that’s at the bottom of the to-do list. So, change that in 2023 and move it to the top of your list. You can do this yourself, or find a local marketing agency or someone in your business to do it for you.
Network more
You can never network too much. Use the new year to look for a networking group to join, or for a new one to attend if this is something you already do. It’s also worth checking out what business organisations are available for you too, especially in your local area.
Try something new
Learning a new skill or interest can help your business and also give you a better work-life balance. It doesn’t matter what that skill or interest is, and it doesn’t have to relate directly to your business. Another advantage is that you could meet potential business contacts and customers through learning your new skill.
Time for you
As well as learning something new, it’s important to take some time out to just wind down. Doing this is vital for your physical and mental health, which need to be at your best, so you can run your business effectively. One idea could be to incorporate regular downtime into your calendar when doing your weekly planning.
Goal setting
You’re probably doing this already, but are you doing it realistically? Many business owners set unachievable goals or don’t look at the short-term as well as the long-term. Setting realistic goals is important as it can stop you feeling frustrated when you don’t hit unobtainable targets.
Give something back
Consumers are more aware of corporate responsibility than ever before and like to buy from businesses who take this seriously. So, have a think about what you can do in or for your local community. One straightforward way is to donate to a charity or organisation close to your heart, but you can also think about mentoring, sitting on a committee, or volunteering somewhere.
Stop doing what’s not working
Doing the same thing repeatedly, and expecting a different result isn’t just pointless, it can also cost you money. If you have things in your organisation that don’t work, whether it’s a marketing strategy, way of working, or even a supplier or customer relationship, 2023 could be the time to stop doing it. Find a better way of doing it that doesn’t waste your time or money.
Don’t put things off
You can use this final point to cover all the previous ones. Don’t just think about doing them, actually start doing them. You can also apply it to other areas of your business too. If you need to update or replace old equipment or hire new people, get on and do it.
Got other tips to share with us? Let us knowin the comments of this blog.
St James Business Centre is an 80,000 sq. ft. building offering serviced, conventional, and virtual office space to rent in Warrington town centre, close to train stations and with extensive on-site parking. We also offer co-working space for anyone needing flexible working without the demands of permanent office space.
Our meeting and conferencing facilities, plus spacious internal courtyards in Warrington means your business has access to everything it needs under one roof. Contact us for more information.
Let’s start by saying we know you’ve probably seen lots of companies providing you with advice on what your marketing strategy should be. We get it. However, what we want to do in this blog is talk about what 6 things we know will work for businesses like the ones based here at St James’ Business Centre. There are many other things you can do to as part of your marketing strategy of course, but we think these are the main points to consider as we reach the end of 2022.
So, if you’re a small business owner, why not give our tips a try? And let us know how you get on afterwards.
Find your audience (and stick with them)
How many times have you heard business owners say ‘everyone’ when asked who their potential customers are? The truth is, it’s almost impossible to appeal to ‘everyone’¬! A better and more focused approach is to look at who your existing customers are and why they’ve chosen you. Once you understand that, you can then understand how to attract more customers. And one way to do this is by creating a buyer persona.
Buyer personas can help you speak to customers in a personalised way, and streamline your marketing and sales process, so you’re only spending time on the leads most likely to convert.
Take a look at the template below and follow the steps to create your buyer persona.
Stay focused
When thinking about marketing campaigns, it’s sometimes easy to get distracted and try to do too many things at once. The problem with this is that you can lose focus on what actually works and brings you the best results.
This means testing, testing and testing again. You need to do your research and look back at which campaigns have worked for you and which haven’t worked so well. Once you’ve created your buyer persona, you’ll be able to see exactly where your target audience spends their time and then focus on campaigns which will reach them directly.
Competitor research also helps. Look at what your competitors do well and where they can improve. Let them do all the hard work for you, so all you have to do is take what works and make it relevant to you.
Data is king
Capturing information about your customers – and potential customers – is perhaps the most important thing you can do for your business. So, when someone visits your website, make sure you have some way of collecting their name and email address. This allows you to target people who’ve previously visited your website and re-engage with your audience.
All you need to do is figure out what you can offer to prospects, so they’re willing to give up their email address to have it. Simple, right?
Optimise for mobile
You know yourself how easy it is to just pick up your smartphone when you want to search for a product or service. Your customers like that convenience too, so make sure your website looks and works as well as it can on mobile devices. Google will appreciate it too and rank your site higher as a result.
Advertise everywhere you can
There are so many ways to advertise you small business nowadays, from a Google My Business profile to sponsoring products on ecommerce sites, like Amazon and Etsy. Other options are pay-per-click (PPC) and Facebook or Instagram ads. Also consider advertising with your local Chamber of Commerce if you have one, as you can usually benefit from great online and social media coverage. And, for a small fee, they often offer lots of networking opportunities with other local businesses.
Plan, plan, and plan some more
It seems obvious, but this is something that isn’t considered at all or not until the last minute. This doesn’t just mean choosing a few dates in your calendar and calling it a day. You should start to plan your business and work events early, so you know exactly when you need to get your marketing campaigns ready.
You’ve defined your target audience. You know which platforms to reach them with. And you know your valuable offering. Now it’s time to plan. By thinking about this in advance, you can plan your 2023 content calendar, for example, so you know what you’ll write about and what keywords you’ll target.
Whatever you do, you must plan ahead. If you want your 2023 small business marketing to be bigger and better, you must think about it now and work on it before the new year arrives, so start building your marketing strategy today.
Reasons why project management can help your small business
With so many things to think about for small business owners, project management might seem like just another one to add to the ever-growing list. However, treating certain tasks within your business as projects and managing them properly could bring your business lots of benefits you might not have thought about.
Many small business owners think project management’s only important to larger companies. However, project management is crucial for any organisation that values achieving its goals on time and on budget.
So, what is project management?
In basic terms, it’s finishing a pre-defined task or objective by a pre-defined deadline. Usually there’s a person or team involved in achieving the task on time and they’ll usually have a budget to stick to. It sounds simple when put like that and you’re probably already doing it without calling it project management.
So, maybe now’s the time to start calling these tasks project management and taking advantage of some of the extra benefits this could bring. But where should you start?
Better budgeting
We mentioned budgeting earlier. It’s a key part of any project, especially for smaller business where things are tighter, so managing it as part of the project can help you stay in control.
Smarter scheduling
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous point. Time is money and money is time, so manage one properly and you’ll manage the other one properly too.
Improved accountability
Having properly defined roles makes accountability much easier. This can help make things run more smoothly and tasks get completed on time. It also stops people blaming each other if things go wrong, as they do from time to time.
Proper insight
One of the most valuable benefits of project management is knowing what needs to happen after the project. This is much easier with full documentation and an understanding of the data and insights. You can also learn for future projects by analysing what went well and not so well.
Improved success
All of these factors can increase your chances of a successful project, which is the outcome everyone desires. You can carefully review the project once it’s finished. Assess the project manager’s performance and look at how the business dealt with obstacles and challenges.
What can I do to help my project management?
The first thing to do is start thinking about what could be considered a project that needs managing in your business. Clearly, some things don’t need to be approached as a project, but once you’ve established which these are, you can then assign the right project manager and/or team for them.
Planning is also crucial once you have the project and people in place. The more planning and preparation you can do in advance, the better your projects will be.
It’s a brilliant location with plentiful parking, easy to reach by road or public transport.
The range of small, medium and large office suites has provided us with the flexibility to tailor the space and cost to meet our requirements without moving away from the building.
As a small business, the convenience of helpful support staff to greet visitors and send a receive mail and parcels is a real bonus, as is the availability of dedicated meeting rooms and available at short notice for customer meetings and product presentations.
A365 LIMITED Tenant at St James Business Centre since 2013
Since moving into St James Business Centre, we have found the team to be extremely friendly, helpful and accommodating. They have supported us on our journey from our start-up phase where we initially needed a small serviced office space through to us moving into our new larger offices. As the business continues to grow, it’s reassuring to know we will be able to remain at the business centre for the long term as Langtree gives us the flexibility to move into larger office space and when we need it.
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