Flickr

When we work to make an office space as productive and efficient as possible, we can overlook the simple things. After all, if we don’t have the fundamentals in place, how can the more prominent processes function? We’ve got to get the basics right before we focus on the more difficult aspects. If you are new to the startup game, or you’re just trying to find a way to make your team work a little bit better without them realising it, what should be put in place?

Establish Routines

To run an efficient ship, we need to ensure we’ve got routines in place. If everything is done in a haphazard manner, every time a problem arises, we start to firefight these issues rather than solve these problems with an established process. Routines need to be in place, not just for problems, but for every single process. You have a start point and you have an endpoint, and the goal is to get to the end point in as few steps as possible. Even the easiest aspects of work can benefit from being scheduled, especially at a time where your staff are at their most productive. Recognising these peaks and troughs throughout the day can give you a better idea on how to structure the entire day, meaning that it’s not just a productive business, but your employees are benefiting from it as well.

Look At It From Their Point Of View

Running a business means you can see it all from the luxury of your corner office. But take the opportunity to walk through the space and see it from your employees’ perspective. Not just in terms of what it’s like on the shop floor, but if the space is conducive to a feeling of productivity. Something as simple as a lack of hygiene can have a frustrating impact further down the line, because your employees will have to stop and ensure their space is clean before they can do anything, eating into their productivity. Instead, make life easier for everyone, and get an office cleaning company in to ensure that the space doesn’t harbour germs. While some people thrive in a dishevelled environment, if you want to make your office as efficient as possible, it’s got to be organised and clean!

Keep The Stationery Cupboards Stocked!

If the stationery cupboards aren’t stocked, staff end up wasting valuable time looking for pens and papers, meaning that deadlines could be missed over the stupidest things. It’s a little thing, but it can be easily overlooked, especially when everyone’s backs are against the wall. If you don’t have the basics in place, how can you accomplish the bigger things? It’s all about the processes behind the processes. And from the perspective of a member of staff, if they can’t even get a pen and paper, this doesn’t fill them with hope with regards to the more complex duties a business needs to undertake. It’s a little thing, but if you have the smaller components in place, not only does this makes for an efficient organisation it will also provide peace of mind for your employees (and yourself)!