How To Have The Perfect Work Environment For Your Small Business

Your work environment is one of the most detrimental factors to your small business. Often overlooked in the earlier days of business, most entrepreneurs and company founders can be found getting their heads stuck in strategy, planning, and marketing their business as a priority.
Of course, these are very much priorities. But creating a work environment that ticks off everything an organisation needs will simply help you on your way to success.
Many small businesses and start-ups begin by working from home. While this has cost benefits during the early days, it’s not always sustainable as you begin to grow.
In a world where we are continuously hearing about all these glitzy offices and working spaces, we have put together a more realistic guide. Space, location, amenities, staff, and well-being are just a few examples of what needs to be considered.
 

1. Consider your companies needs
 

The best first approach to take is to assess your company’s needs. Ask yourself if you need a typical office space, and if so, how many people will need a desk and computer set up? Perhaps your business offers trade, where employees are out on physical jobs during the week. It may only require the business owner to have access to an office setup, for meetings, admin, and running the financial side of the business.
If this is the case, it could be a small set-up in a co-working space that is all that is desired. However, if your company has plans to grow, and requires various suppliers and external contacts to come and visit, then a serviced office is will be advantageous.
Serviced offices are getting much smarter and year on year. You can find professional offices in Bromley to studio spaces in London, just as long as the places you consider are tailored towards serving your daily business needs.
 

2. Look at your business’s infrastructure and costings
 

Money is one of the main issues surrounding your business work environment. Be realistic from the beginning. There are many impressive working spaces which incorporate on-site events, cafes and baristas and large car parking spaces. But can your business afford all these extras?
It depends what stage you are at in your business. If you are well-established and can predict the growth for the next 2-5 years, then an office with all the add-on’s may certainly boost staff morale. However, if you’re in your first or second year of business and can’t fully predict the future, it may be best to save your money on a more basic set-up.
Having a dedicated physical space for your business is always going to be a necessity, no matter how small your business may be.  It needs to be enough space for the essentials, like the technology you need daily and to cater for the people who need to be working from that space. Tick off these essentials first, before you start looking at offices with pool tables or vending machines added into them. Though the benefits of vending machines can't be understated.

3. Ask yourself if co-working would be an option
 

Co-working spaces are a growing phenomenon that help professionals work from an office environment, without the hefty fixed fees of an actual office.  They are popular options for many start-ups and freelancers who find working spaces more motivating than working from home.
If you’re business runs by just one person – yourself – and you have the flexibility to work from wherever you need, then co-working is a great cost-cutting option.
 

4. Think about your companies’ image
 

Only you will know if your business will be filled with client meetings in the future. If it is, then it’s ideal to have a permanent, fixed abode for your business in the form of a professional office. By having an office, potential clients and customers will be able to gain experience of the company’s culture.
Remember that clients need to see the very best view of your business, and they will tend to make a first impression when they visit your business in person. If they like what they see and are exposed to the professionalism and high-quality settings, they can establish a positive eye view of your business.
 
The bottom line is that the working environment you choose has to reflect where you are at with your business. Productivity and motivation need to be considered, as does cash flow and affordability. It is the company’s overall performance that is the main focal point, therefore ask yourself if the working environment you are considering will help boost your growth. If you keep that focus in mind, you’ll find the right space for you.