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Sarah Brooks

Sarah Brooks is a freelance writer living in Charlotte, NC. She writes on a variety of topics including small businesses, home offices and personal finance.

Sarah Brooks has written 27 articles for SB Informer.
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Does Your Small Business Waste Space?

Sarah Brooks

April 29, 2015


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When thinking about properly utilizing space, you most likely think about your home.

Are there rooms being wasted? Are certain areas too large whereas other areas (such as the kitchen) feel too small? How would you change the layout of your home to make it more functional? Space is important, and how we use it is even more important.

If you run a small business and have an office space, those same questions probably run through your mind, too.

No one wants space to be wasted or used inefficiently - especially when you're paying for the space.

An inefficient office space could also make your employees less productive. If the office is cramped, for example, employees might have a harder time focusing on their jobs.

Manage Overall Costs with Right Space

The article "How to develop a space forecasting strategy that reduces costs" discusses how using your office space properly can save you money and help manage your overall costs.

The first step, of course, is to look at your current office space and analyze how it is being used.

Look at where changes could be made to make the space more functional. Do you need to change the layout or do you simply need to rearrange your furniture?

Once you have a plan in place, you can implement the changes.

Be aware, though, that your space might constantly need to be changed and updated depending on how many employees you have and how each individual works the best.

Get the Most Out of Your Space

To make your office space more usable and to create a perfect working atmosphere, take a look at these five tips:

Eliminate clutter - Clutter creates an unorganized workspace that can make it hard for employees to focus. Look around your office and decide what's really necessary and what should go. Wall art, for example, might look nice, but is it adding to the space or crowding it out?

Have a common work area - Many companies both large and small are moving toward a common work area instead of individual cubicles. This allows ideas to flow freely and creates a sense of a team. Depending on your industry, this dynamic could work wonders for your business.

Keep it clean - Most people prefer to work in clean, clutter-free areas rather than messy, unorganized ones. Not only can dust that collects on the floor make your employees sick, it could also be causing a large distraction in your office. Clean your office daily and have a professional come once a month.

Make it bright - Bright lights create a sense of energy and will help keep your employees awake and focused. Dim, dull lighting with little to no windows is a recipe for disaster. Invest in good, high-quality lamps and lights to brighten up your space.

Create a break station - No matter how small your office is, you should clear out an area for workers to get up and stretch, grab a coffee and perhaps have a snack. If you don't think you can have an entire break station, consider setting up a coffee bar along one of the walls, preferably next to a window.

Having a clean, organized, efficient office space is vital to the success of your small business.

Start making the necessary changes today to see an improvement in your employees immediately.


                   



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