Empathy and Leadership
If nothing else, this time in our lives has taught us a lot about what matters most. After seven months of a pandemic state of our nation, change is something that is almost all we know. While some may adapt well to the ever-altering ways we live, work, interact, etc., some people have a very tough time acclimating to this “new normal” How does this affect your employees, and how can you make sure they continue to deliver ultimate production for you and their workspace? Leadership is one of the most important ways an authority figure can improve the working environment.
Be a flexible leader and thinker.
This is a unique time! “The way we have always done it” mindset and mentality are no longer options. What new practices or measures will work best for you and your teams that will ensure ultimate productivity? The answer may be very different than ever before. Engage with your employees, understand their circumstances, and figure out the best way to work together. If that means that a traditional workday just does not work for some, as long as the work is accomplished, give your staff a little grace to see if new flexibility will work.
Be Nosy.
A good leader is not best friends with their staff; we have read enough leadership books to understand that concept. But during this time, if you do not intricately know your staff, their family dynamic, and their work style…your production overall will suffer. A single mom with two children in two different stages of remote learning will have an extra layer of stress of what their day to day life looks like compared to an empty nester who has embraced this change as a chance to slow down with the ability to work harder than ever before. Be mindful of each of your employee’s circumstances and try to work with them to for the best chance of ultimate output for them, for you, and your company.
For more content like this, visit our water cooler.
Find us on social media:
Working with Distractions From Home
Working from home is interesting. The distractions can be overwhelming, and while some people just are not cut out to work remotely because of the COVID pandemic, that option may have been taken away from you. But how can you maintain your best productivity?
If you’re used to working in an office full of that noisy buzz working from home may feel a little quiet — too quiet, and if we are honest…a little depressing! Music and Podcasts to stay focused when you work may be an answer. If you are working at home with a significant other in the same situation or children who are remote learning, you may need a pair of headphones to ensure your concentration stays on your work.
To get a little scientific, studies have concluded that people who listen to music while working on repetitive tasks can perform the task faster while making fewer mistakes. This is because listening to music triggers the release of certain neurotransmitters that make you feel relaxed and happy: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. This may be the answer to keep your spirits up and your attention focused because the feel-good neurotransmitters improve your overall mood and give you more patience making for a better workday. This is also true when these tasks are challenging. If you are comfortable in motion, but the stakes are high, then music can help relieve additional pressures that might compromise the performance at hand. (Think, surgeons in surgery.)
One of the great things of controlling your at-home environment is that you have the power to put in place of what makes you happy in your space. So light that candle or turn on the diffuser, put on your favorite Pandora station in your headphones, and see your work life from home improve, maybe even thrive! The small things can make a big difference.
How To Motivate Your Teams When Working Remotely
As a manager, a lot of what you have learned doesn’t necessarily come from any books; it is based on hands-on experience. Even with that in mind, we find ourselves in unprecedented times managing our staff during a pandemic. While there is no guide or handbook on how to do this effectively, you will need to create a process for everyone to succeed personally and professionally. You may be wondering how to motivate your teams when working remotely. Here are some ways that have been proven to be successful.
Define clear expectations and establish ground rules.
Use Asana, Trello, or some system, so every employee knows exactly what is expected of them, and what deliverables are needed from them. Setting specific times for assignments ie for the next day, week, and month improves productivity. Many individuals thrive when they are given a deadline. Deadlines prevent the possibility of procrastinating assignments and projects. Continuing, ensure your staff has a clear understanding of all the projects they are ultimately responsible for and where to go when they need assistance.
Check with your staff regularly! At the early stages of a new project or client, checking in lets them know you are supportive of their success. Knowing they are being supported and you can provide guidance and/or extra assistance puts their mind at ease.
Create a social space for a team to get to know each other.
Losing the “watercooler” atmosphere that only an in-person work environment can produce can significantly decrease work satisfaction. Factor in 5-10 minutes at the start of your team meetings and ask people how they are. You may also encourage staff to collaborate with their colleagues. Collaboration on projects improves the working relationships of the staff.
Be flexible about working hours.
Working remotely can be married pretty well with flexible working.
A study from Stanford University shows, staff who set their working hours were found to work longer and be happier about their work. Six months ago, this would seem to be an impossible task to pull off, but here we are. If it is possible, consider offering some flexibility if the work gets done regardless.
The Best Lighting Will Improve Productivity
If you have been working remotely for a couple of months, some routine has set in with hope and luck. Maybe you realized that using the couch in a half horizontal position may not be the most productive way to manage your Zoom calls, and a setup somewhere in your house makes more sense. Now that you have your space let’s talk about the importance of installing the best lighting for your workspace. Before you needed a dedicated place to work, your house was lit for…well your house. Without proper workspace lighting, you’re more likely to experience eye strain, tiredness and even headaches. Plus, the best lighting makes a big difference in productivity, energy and overall mood. Here are some suggestions:
Daylight
Natural light is way easier (and the best lighting) on your eyes. If you’ve got a great view with little distractions, consider putting your desk right under the window. A space with a view will send your productivity full force in motion.
Old School Task Lights
Whether it is a clip-on or a freestanding task light and desk lamps that have a flexible arm are great since you can adjust their height and angle to suit the task at hand. But if you use only this kind of selective lighting, you may acquire eyestrain quickly.
Bring in the Ambience
Eye strain is a serious problem, one that happens from intense use of your eyes–like staring at a computer monitor for eight long hours. Adding a little ambient light into the mix will help soften the harsh light that can come from just overhead or task lighting. By ambient lighting, we certainly do not mean to make it romantic…but do some research on the different light bulbs on the market like LED and softer wattage that will eliminate eye strain and give you extra relief on long busy days.
Sanitary Measures for Extraordinary Times.
As many are starting to return physically to work, here are some guidelines and rules of thumb for your workplace sanitary measures.
Don’t wait.
Workplaces and spaces should be taking extra precautions now, not when illness strikes. The CDC recommends that employers implement sanitary measures and start doing these things now, as these measures can reduce working days lost due to sickness and stop or slow the spread of COVID-19 if it arrives at one of your workplaces.
Establish a cleaning routine.
Regularly, make sure to clean all frequently touched surfaces. This includes keyboards, remote controls, desks, countertops, and doorknobs. Using a disinfectant by its instructions will be the easiest way to ensure that the surface is cleaned effectively. See EPA’s 6 steps for Safe and Effective Disinfectant Use.
Be incredibly clear of the expectations of your employees and customers.
Transparency of your expectations when it comes to safety and sanitation is going to be imperative when you are back in some sort of open capacity. Make sure signage is prevalent of what you expect…masks? No masks? Six feet spacing signs are being sold everywhere; they can also be custom designed. Be sure to have sanitizer stations everywhere that make sense, at the very least, at the front when your customers or employees come in and at the register if applicable.
Have a sense of patience.
Remember, this is unchartered territory for absolutely everyone. Tensions are high, fear is present, and the ability to conduct business safely and sanitary lays in your hands.
Working from Home Without Losing Your Mind.
While it has been said that working from home takes a special person, in this climate, the choice to work from home or not may have been taken away from you. We hear so much about pivoting and the new normal, but now that it has been a couple of months that has brought nothing but Ch ch ch changes, it is time to check in with you and your sanity.
How are you adjusting? Here are a couple of tips!
Make a schedule, set your boundaries and plan for breaks each and every day.
Now more than ever, having a plan each day makes a difference in productivity. One of our favorite methods is the Pomodoro Technique. This helps you focus on working for a specific amount of time and then take a break. Use Pomodoro to work work work and then tale a break. You can use the Pomodoro Technique, in which you alternate 25-minute work sessions with 5-minute breaks, or set whatever intervals make sense for you. There is a start and a stop timer that keeps you on track.
Don’t let friends and family take advantage of your new status.
This is a big one. Mom will still call to see how you are doing, and your five-minute check-ins at the office will somehow mysteriously evolve into longer call times because of course, you are at home, are you really working? Silence your phone and try only to answer as if you were truly in an office setting. It may be hard for them to understand that your time is still not yours even if you are at home while working, but setting boundaries is most important.
Every day be sure to get some fresh air, dance it out, take a break! Promise this works!
More from the Water Cooler Here!
Three Ways to Reduce Overhead Expenses
Deciding to reduce overhead expenses can be difficult. Many employees are working from home at least a couple of days a week. Remote teams are commonplace, and entire departments have been downsized because of new efficiencies, technological advances, and outsourcing. If this sounds like your company and you find yourself looking at a lot of empty desks every day, it might be a great time to think about where you can reduce your overhead expenses.
Work from Home or a Shared Office Solution
When employees have options on where to work, they tend to be happier – and more productive. In addition to improved work-life balance, they don’t have the commute to deal with, so they can dive right in and get to work right away. Productivity improves, workers are happier, and you don’t have to finance an empty workstation and parking space. Giving employees the option of working from home or using a shared office solution, like Work Webb, can drastically reduce your business expenses while making the employees happier and more productive.
Managed services
Companies no longer need a full-time IT department because most data is now stored in the cloud. This eliminates the need for on-premise servers and all the costly upkeep that goes with it. What used to require a team of high-paid technicians, on-call 24/7, can now be managed virtually—and more efficiently—at a fraction of the cost.
Document management systems
If you’re ready to ditch the paper, a document management system (DMS) is the way to go. A DMS manages your filing systems digitally and is far more secure and foolproof than a conventional filing system. Documents in a DMS are searchable and can be protected by permissions, ensuring that the appropriate personnel can only access them. There are no more lost files, no more filing cabinets, and no need for a separate room to house it all.
If you are considering a shared office solution for your business, visit our website here. Work Webb has two convenient locations, Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida, and has a variety of options to suit most needs. Call us today to schedule a tour at one of our locations.
When Loved Ones Join You in Working from Home
When working from home or in a co-working space, there is a fair amount of adjustment to this new lifestyle. No time clocks to punch, no pants to necessarily wear, etc.. but what happens amid COVID19 when you now have a new coworker also known to you as your partner or spouse? Here are some tips to succeed at working from home with your spouse or partner:
1. Arrange separate workspaces, preferably on different levels or areas of your home.
If you work for different companies and you don’t rely on each other’s work, prepare individual home offices in various areas of your home. This separation will ensure that you each have defined areas to concentrate on work.
2. Create individual office hours and respect them.
Decide what your joint workday/hours are and stick to them. The fewer interruptions you both have, the more likely you are to finish your workday on time. Should you both be juggling home, work, and children, consider interchanging your work hours, so there’s more coverage for chores and child care.
3. Avoid disturbing each other with non-work issues.
Just like you wouldn’t call your partner for every little thing during a workday, consider separating or discussing personal matters at only an established portion of the day. This habit will allow each of you to make the essential time for giving the other their devoted attention to any personal or non-work discussion without taking too much time out of the workday.
4. Focus on the upsides
Probably a weird thing to say, especially in this climate, but once you get into this new groove, there a couple of positive you can focus on. This new schedule is a unique opportunity to spend time with your partner or kids in a way you don’t usually get to do. It can also be quite fascinating to see your partner work, which is a side of them you probably don’t get to see.
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
An Open Letter to Our Small Business Community
As we navigate the effects of business in our community, we wanted to share the following resources for you to peruse for you and your small business.
Governor Ron DeSantis recently issued Executive Order Number 20-91 “Essential Services and Activities During COVID-19 Emergency)”. Here is a link to a copy of the Governor’s Executive Order.
The City of Ormond has provided information below related to available programs to businesses affected by COVID-19, in particular, the State’s Bridge Loan Program and the recently approved federal program Paycheck Protection Program.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The Bridge Loan Program is available to small business owners located in Florida that are experiencing economic damage as a result of the COVID-19. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer-term recovery resources.
Please visit: http://floridajobs.org/rebuildflorida/businessrecovery
Small Business Paycheck Protection Program
What: The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
How: You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and farm credit system institution that is participating. Please consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating.
Additional Resources:
- Small Business Paycheck Protection Program Overview
- PPP Information Sheet for Lenders
- PPP Information Sheet for Borrowers
Please visit: SBA Paycheck Protection Program web page.
SBA Economic Disaster Injury Loan & Loan Advance
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.
To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, click here.
Manufacturing
If you are a manufacturer or support the manufacturing industry please check-in with the resources with Florida Makes and the Volusia Manufacturers Association.
Additional Resources
Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College is available to assist with filing SBA Loans and Florida Disaster Loans. Please visit their website and request a consultation: https://www.daytonastate.edu/sbdc/
SCORE Volusia/Flagler — Score has information on available resources to businesses which can be acessed here. You can connect with the local chapter through this link.
Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce — Please visit the Chamber’s web page for updates and new campaigns to support the business community.
City of Ormond Beach COVID-19 updates page: https://stories.opengov.com/ormondbeachfl/published/igYzbHQ6E
City of Daytona Beach COVID-19 updates https://www.daytonabeach.com/covid-19-coronavirus-update/
Daytona Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce Business updates https://www.daytonachamber.com/COVID-19-Member-Updates-6-17849.html
City of Port Orange COVID-19 Information Page https://www.port-orange.org/812/COVID-19-Information-Page
Southeast Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Information Page https://www.sevchamber.com/
Five Ways to Improve Your Home Office
Is your home prepared for you to work from a home office 40 hours a week? When you consider working from home, the space that you will occupy should be one of your first considerations. Making sure that you have a home office designed for functionality and efficiency is imperative for a successful career working from home. There are many ways to customize your office and make sure your working environment is perfect for you.
Here are five ways to improve your home office set-up:
Splurge on a Good Chair
The chair is the most overlooked piece of office furniture people need to work at home. Many people find themselves sitting in their chairs for hours at a time. In addition to incorporating Yoga into your workday, having a chair that fits your body correctly will have long-term benefits. There are many great ergonomic choices for office chairs. Preferences will vary, but the Herman Miller Aeron Office Chair remains the chair for any office.
Self-Storage
It cannot be stressed enough how important a good backup is for a telecommuter. From passwords to sensitive material, all of your work must be secure and accessible if something were to happen to your primary computer. With options of both cloud and physical storage units, telecommuters should employ at least one of these storage options to ensure they do not lose important information.
A Clear View
Whether you are working on a laptop or a desktop system, it is essential to have a screen that has clear resolution and is adequately large enough for the work you are performing. Many people work on multiple screens to ensure they can multitask and work efficiently. Being able to view numerous tabs simultaneously can make communicating with coworkers and working on projects a breeze.
Purchase a Headset
If you will be using your phone for any length of time from home, it is an excellent investment to have a headset that will allow you to type and talk at the same time. By not crimping your neck to the side for conference calls, work meetings, or talking with clients, a headset can make the difference between good and lousy office posture. There are great options for wired and wireless options and Bluetooth headsets at most major retailers.
Universal Power Source
What happens when you experience a power outage in the middle of a project? For many workers, it will destroy at least the project they were working on, and for others, it will ruin their computer. By investing in a universal power source, you can prevent brownouts from impacting your computer. With enough power to save your information and properly shut down your computer, a universal power source is an excellent investment for anyone working from home.
Personalizing your home office can be great fun, and having the independence to design your area is a huge benefit of working from home. You can surround yourself with the items and aesthetics that make you feel efficient and comfortable.
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
Office Supplies Typically Provided to Remote Workers
If you’re curious about remote work, or ready to start a new remote job very soon, you may wonder about your office supplies. When you work in a traditional office space, your computer and all your supplies are typically provided to you right from the start. When you work from home, it can vary from employer to employer how your office equipment is supplied.
To help you out, we’re going over four of the most common office supplies typically provided to remote workers.
Allowance
Providing an allowance for technology is one option for remote worker office supplies. They allow employees a certain amount of money per quarter or per year to spend on whatever technology and equipment they may need to work remotely (think computers, wireless keyboards, and mice, computer chargers, printers, laptop stands, office chairs, monitors, etc.). Employees typically purchase the items themselves and submit receipts to their company for reimbursement.
BYOD
BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. In this situation, employees do just that—they use their own computers and supplies for work. The benefit of this option is also that employees can use whatever devices they are most comfortable with, eliminating any learning curve if they’re familiar with PC, but the company wants them to use a Mac, for example.
Computer Only
Some employers supply just a computer to remote employees. In this situation, the computer is typically company property and has to be returned when an employee leaves the company. Sometimes companies have specific software programs that employees need to use, and having everyone on the same computer operating system can help. If employees need to access a company Intranet, it can be easier for the IT department to set this up on a company computer. Or perhaps the employer wants to have time tracking software installed on the computer as well.
A Complete Office
Some companies will provide everything a remote employee needs. They may send a computer, smartphone, printer, and more, depending on the needs of the job. This option usually helps companies feel secure knowing their remote worker has everything they need in their home office to perform the duties of their job successfully. Just like the previous scenario, this allows companies to install any required software on employee computers as well, ensuring employees are set up correctly from day one.
If you’re beginning your remote work journey, be sure you know the requirements of your employer. The interview process is a great time to ask how your potential company handles remote worker office supplies. That way, you’ll be ready and prepared to be a star employee from the start.
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
10 REASONS TO USE A SHARED OFFICE SPACE
Shared office space is a perfect alternative to working from home or at your own office. This type of workplace offers many perks and an environment full of hardworking and dedicated professionals across all industries. The decision to work alongside strangers can be intimidating but so rewarding.
Below are ten reasons why you should work from a shared office space.
Find Meaning
A person’s work identity becomes stronger when people doing all types and kinds of work are around them. A work facade is no longer needed, due to the lack of competition in a traditional office. Shared office spaces are created to have a sense of community, collaboration, learning, and sustainability.
Perks with a Shared Office Space
Not only do shared office spaces provide a place to work, but they also offer many perks. These include anything from food services, conference rooms, and many more amenities.
More Job Control & Flexibility
Let’s say today you want to work during the day, but tomorrow during the night. At a shared office space, you enjoy this power and flexibility. As a professional, you decide when and where you work. Because memberships at desk chair are month-to-month, you decide if you want to work at a desk or in a private suite. Work Webb has lots of options to choose from.
More Sense of Community, Less sense of Loneliness
Working from home sometimes creates a sense of isolation. Shared office spaces end this feeling of disconnection. During the day, you work alongside an entire room of other coworkers, and even though the place is full of people, you chose when and how to interact with other members.
Networking Opportunities
Having a shared space and creating a sense of community is another reason why people chose shared office spaces. Officing in this type of environment lets you surround yourself with goal-oriented and high-achieving professionals. Having so many professionals in one room means your networking opportunities are endless. You never know who you will meet to help you move your business forward.
Central Location for Clients
Client meetings just became stress-free because members have a central location. Outside your door, a variety of options for transportation, restaurants, and shopping beckon.
Increase in Productivity
Everyone loves their sleep, so it can be a real challenge to get out of bed some mornings. The social atmosphere of a shared office environment encourages you to crawl out of bed in the morning and get into work. Using a temp office space can increase productivity by decreasing at-home distractions and being surrounded by committed professionals each day is a great motivator.
Cost-Efficient
Office space on a per-square-foot basis can sometimes be crazy expensive. Officing at a shared office space is not only affordable; it also offers the flexibility to grow with your business without having to sink money into lease-breaking fees.
Learn something new
A shared office space gives you the chance to be working across the desk from someone with a completely different skill set than yours. You may even catch yourself working in a new mindset as well. Inspiration from coworkers can help break through the roadblocks and that project you have been working on for months is solved, just like that!
Happiness!
Working at a shared office space, like Work Webb, you surround yourself with motivated and enthusiastic professionals like yourself. You have the opportunity to socialize, enjoy all of the amenities, and work the way you live. The shared office space atmosphere can boost morale and passion, which results in a more cheerful workday!
Staying Motivated and Sane while being Self-Employed
Being self-employed sounds like The American Dream, but believe it or not, it isn’t for everyone! When you are responsible for your accountability, it takes the right amount of focus, dedication, and adhering to schedule to keep your attention span in check. While the benefits of YOU being the man (or the woman) is plentiful, here are some tips to keep you productive and on track.
Use Cloud Services
If you lose your backpack, or your computer dies on you, you need to reboot from another device and still access all of your work. There are so many cloud-based tools that let you access your documents, images, project management platforms, CRM, invoices, and more. Some of the most commonly-used cloud-based tools are Google Suite, which includes Gmail, Drive for documents and spreadsheets, Slides, and more; Dropbox for storing and sharing images and materials; and Evernote. It is crucial to find which tools work for you, use them, and rest easy knowing you can access your work from wherever you are and whatever device you’re on.
Use a Timer and a System that works for you
One of our favorite productivity systems includes the Pomodoro Technique, where you work in 25-minute bursts. This popular time-management method can help you power through distractions, hyper-focus, and get things done in short bursts while taking frequent breaks to come up for air and relax.
Find a Coworking Space
One of the best productivity tips we can give is to find a coworking space as your “home office.” You are prone to discover that you’re more productive in this environment than a coffee shop because you can put your head down and get some dedicated work done.
Staying Motivated When You Work Remotely
When you start working in conditions where pants and time clocks are optional, it is hard to stay motivated. There is no one looking over your shoulder and trailing off and going down a rabbit hole of Instagram feeds can happen in a matter of minutes. Although this is the actual joy of being self-employed (or a fortunate remote employee)-having no structure in place can be defeated as far as production is concerned.
Here are some tips to help stay focused on your work tasks at hand:
Get Up
Wake up early and “get to work” on time. You may be able to see your “office” from your bedroom, but you still need to make that transition. Make a point to be on time for “the man” which is you! Not being on time for yourself is a bad habit, and it is hard to take yourself and your work seriously. Routine is your best friend. At the same time, if you run on more cylinders in the afternoon-late evening, adjust your day overall accordingly. In both cases, consistency is vital.
Get Dressed
At some point, working from home in your pajamas will lose its luster not to mention that it is terribly demotivating. Take a shower, brush your teeth, and start your day clean, fresh, and ready to go. You don’t have to put on your Sunday best, but wear something comfortable and functional that is uniform to YOU.
Get out of the house
While it’s good to stay focused, you are also allowed to take a break. You’re not under house arrest, and this isn’t a prison of your own making. You can and should leave those four walls for your own piece of mind.
Work from home but still crave an office like atmosphere? Consider Work Webb: we offer shared professional office solutions in Daytona Beach, and Melbourne, including virtual, part-time, and full-time shared or private office space.
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
Time for Spring Cleaning (Your Office)
Isn’t there something about Spring that makes us want to beat the chaos and start anew? And that doesn’t just mean our homes and outdoor space — it means our businesses too! We have made it through the time change, and now Spring, followed by a nice hot Florida summer is just around the corner. It’s time to Spring Forward and do a little Spring cleaning in your professional life.
Now we don’t mean cleaning literally…actually, we take that back. Take a second to disinfect your workspace. Clean your laptop screen and the keyboard. And your cell phone. Germs are everywhere. We suggest wiping these items down once a week.
An easy way to keep your actual workspace clear? The things you use consistently should be within the radius of your arms. No matter, if you are at our shared workspace, or at home-this, can include your monitor and keyboard, telephone, two pens, one notebook, etc. Supplies and paperwork should be kept in the zones you’ve established for them.
Some experts say most of us treat our email inbox like a to-do list, which adds to the stress of any profession and any successful workflow. Attempt a namaste spring clean by organizing your inbox with folders or task functions that will increase your work productivity.
With a freshly organized inbox, make appointments with yourself at least once a quarter to clean out those folders. And now that your inbox is sparkling how about digging into your other folders – especially those on shared drives like Dropbox or Google Drive?
In your professional life, sometimes a spring clean doesn’t mean breaking out the vacuum or Windex, it means taking stock of what’s working well and what’s not, and getting yourself mentally revived after a long winter.
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
What is Emotional Culture?
Whether you work together with your staff at the same location, have multiple offices across the country or have the ability to work solo from a remote location, creating the culture that enables your team to perform at its highest may not be as easy as just hiring good quality employees.
Emotional Culture is a lesser known piece of today’s work culture, and it is getting more attention these days. Emotional Culture is defined as the culture centered around the effective values of an organization—i.e., feelings, moods, and attitudes—in contrast to the intellectual values that typically make up the traditional corporate culture.
Although technology may be able to cross physical and time-based gaps, the cultural and social gaps — differences in social habits and communication styles — are problems that have yet to be solved. If not addressed, these gaps open can pose significant performance issues for teams.
When working virtually, ways to be a communicative team member is an even harder nut to crack. Teams must make a point not only to be clear about how they will interact with one another and shift modes when needed but also address the role that their desired mode(s) of communication with each player as this will play in facilitating their way of working.
When working remotely, you aren’t at the luxury of popping in to your coworkers office, or having the insight as to whether “now is a good time”…keeping your status or schedule on your shared calendar (and messaging platform) updated is an easy way to let people easily see when it is OK to break in and “say hello”. We should make space for these moments, because if we were in an office, we would likely be spending 8 percent of our time socializing, according to a workplace study by Gensler (pdf).
If an effort is made to develop empathy among team members, experience random moments of connection, this will build the discipline that is necessary to a successful team.
The Pros and Cons of Standing Office Desks
Have you heard of standing office desks? You may be surprised that this is a not a new trend! Popular Science, a magazine with roots much older than the Paris Review, first began writing about the virtues of standing desks for writers back in 1883. Once used only by eccentrics like Hemingway, Dickens, and Kierkegaard, this new way to work is now a once again trendy and office setting. Whether you choose to do it the Hemmingway way with and throw your writing machine on the nearest bookcase and get going or buy an actual standing desk, there are a few things to consider.
Did you know that the average office worker spends 5 hours and 41 minutes sitting each day at his or her desk? According to an article in The Smithsonian, the solution, experts say, is not to sit for six hours at work and then head to the gym afterward, because evidence suggests that the adverse effects of extended sitting cannot be countered by brief bouts of strenuous exercise. The answer is to incorporate standing, pacing and other forms of activity into your typical day—and standing at your desk for part of it may be the easiest way of doing so.
It doesn’t matter if you go running every morning, or you’re a regular at the gym. If you spend most of the rest of the day sitting — in your car, your office chair, on your sofa at home — you are putting yourself at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, a variety of cancers and early death. In other words, irrespective of whether you exercise vigorously, sitting for long periods is bad for you.
But could you do it? Switching from sitting all day to standing all day is a radical physical transition! Check out this article for more pros and cons of standing office desks!
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
The Best of Both Worlds: Shared Office Solutions
People around the world are becoming increasingly entrepreneurial and embracing alternative forms of employment. In fact, according to a report by software company Intuit, “In the U.S. alone, contingent workers will exceed 40 percent of the workforce by 2020.” If you are self-employed, an entrepreneur or have the great opportunity to work for a company remotely, it has a lot of benefits. Aside from the obvious perk of making your own schedule and choosing whether a shower is actually on the agenda…there are also some unexpected benefits like no commute, no traffic, and no office politics.
While this is, for the most part, a dream situation, sometimes working strictly from home isn’t all it is cracked up to be. For one, it is super hard to focus when distractions of what also needs to be done (laundry, dishes, etc.) is all around…and sometimes working by yourself within the same four walls day in and day out stifles all creativity and motivation.
An easy answer to have the best of both worlds is the benefits of having a shared office solution! Imagine being super focused and energetic around like-minded people in a professional office setting! You would be surprised how engaging this atmosphere can be and joining a like-minded community will push you to success by surrounding yourself with other sharp minds.
Located on the third floor of the historic Kress building on Beach Street in Daytona Beach, Work Webb provides work-spaces to many clients in need of affordable, personalized office space solutions. Choices include anything from 24/7 access, to a single day pass for telecommuting or short-term clients needing virtual or remote office space. Enjoy modern, clean, beautifully furnished private, semi-private or shared office space–available for rent in a variety of options. Click here for more information!
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
Successful Remote Working
The internet has changed the landscape of the office environment. Remote working is more common today due to the technological advances made possible with the web than ever before. But can this relationship work between employer and remote employee without the traditional office environment? Do companies feel confident their remote employees are doing their jobs consistently? In reading up on this topic and talking to several remote employees, several key factors come up consistently when the remote working is well, working.
Communication
A system for communication on a regular basis without adding steps to accomplishing work is key to making a remote working arraignment successful. While management discussion always matters significantly, it’s even more critical that remote managers stay in frequent contact to ensure management knows what’s being worked on and the progress being made with remote employees. The perception is if communication is not happening between management and employee, work is not being done. But how to do to this without creating more work in a remote working arraignment can be a challenge. A regular schedule of Skype calls or utilizing the Slack platform for projects can help communication flow seamlessly on projects without adding to the workload or having to shift through long email chains to get a status of performance.
Clearly Defined Goals
Management must establish expectations that might normally develop over time in a tradition office when hiring remote employees. A remote worker will also not have the opportunity to get the “feel” of the personality of the office. Something as simple as not knowing a coworker does not like morning meetings can cause conflict. Measurable goals combined with a clear understanding of the workload and office politics are crucial for this arraignment to be productive.
Schedules are Key
Having flexibility is not a free pass to work whenever and not be available for updates. It is the remote employee’s responsibility to keep management informed of when they are and are not available. A mutually agreed upon schedule between all parties is the best way to organization remote working.
There are many dynamics of a traditional office, and there three tips are just my findings. Your situation may include more or less, and not all jobs can have a remote working position. Remote working grown %115 since 2005, is expected to continually grow over the next few years according to this information from Latest Telecommuting Statistics. If you are a remote worker and have some advice not included in this post, please comment your suggestions. Every situation and job are unique, and others could benefit from your experience.
Tips to Deal with Work Stress
Work causes stress and can’t be avoided but there are many ways to help deal with work stress better so it does not dominate your life. Whenever stress builds up, you need to stop and use these 
three tips to not let the stress of work take over the day.
1. Exercise. Make exercise part of your daily routine. A 15-minute walk or an hour-long weight lifting session will help reduce the stress in your life. It improves your mood, helps you get a better night of sleep, and improves your mental alertness. Exercise can help lower your blood pressure and helps you maintain your weight.
2. Take a Break. Stop working every few hours. Slowing down when you feel the stresses of daily life getting the better of you is a great way to take back control of your day. Get in the habit of taking small breaks throughout your workday – make a cup of tea, watch a funny video – 5-minute breaks allow you to slow things down and mindfully think about how you can be your most productive self.
3. Get Outside. Research has shown that parkland settings significantly reduce anxiety and stress, so get outside and take a walk in the park. Nothing brightens the mood like a little sunshine and getting away from an office setting.
Having an office at Work Webb lowers your overhead costs but it can also lower your stress. All three of the above-mentioned tips are easily accomplished from our offices. Some of the best views are from Work Webb’s offices. In addition, walking the bridge will let you get outside and get your stress-reducing exercise. We also provide complimentary coffee and tea for when you just need to step away from your desk for five minutes. Chronic stress is a killer. So, make it a priority to reduce stress in your work life with these tips.
Challenges of Working from Home in the Summer
Working from Home in the Summer
It’s summer and the kids are out of school. Working from home during the summer can present a challenge. If this is your first summer working from home, you may not know what to expect for the next three months. Let me enlighten you on what I have heard from clients that I only see here at Work Webb during the summer months.
Interruptions Are Constant
Older children that handled being home alone while you worked in a traditional office last summer will completely regress to needy toddlers now that you are working from home. They will not be able to find anything, do anything without asking you for help. Why you ask? Because they know you are there to help them and answer their questions. You will stop work to find the TV remote, Play Station controller and any number of meaningless tasks your children just can’t seem to do without you.
Family Visits
Now that you no longer have a traditional job, your extended family may think they can come to visit for extended stays. Honestly, if they catch you off guard you may not have a quick answer as to why they can’t come for a visit. Then you are stuck with family coming especially if you live in a desired area like Florida. Your office may be lost to your teenage nephew that likes to sleep the morning away and – POOF – there goes your productivity. In addition, if you are a good host, your in-laws might expect home cooked meals every night because after all you are home. Don’t’ forget since you are home, odds are you still do laundry, etc., so these tasks just doubled for you. All that does is eat up precious hours that should be used to get your work done.
Parental Guilt
Since you ARE working from home and this is your first summer with the kids, you might feel compelled to be the super parent. Trips to bowling alley, movies or to the beach may eat up your daylight hours which means you will burn the midnight oil or get up with the birds to get your work completed. In short – you will work twice as hard the next few months. Trust me.
Taxi Services
A common complaint I hear from my summer clients is they become a taxi service for the children and their children’s friends. After all you are home – and your children will volunteer your services without asking. Your productivity and gas tank will bottom out fast.
Avoid these pitfalls of summer by finding a shared office solution near you. If you are close to the Daytona Beach or Melbourne, Florida area, visit Work Webb’s website to see what we can offer you besides a quiet place to work.
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
Updated: 3/29/21
How to Choose the Correct Shared Office Solution
Starting a business is scary but finding a shared office solution to fit your business needs should not be. Utilizing a shared office solution for your small business and not a traditional office space with all the usual headaches is smart and can lower your startup costs. Not every office solution will provide what your business needs to portray the professional look you desire. Here are the most important things to look for when shopping around for a shared office solution for your business:
Options
Does it have the right options to fit your business needs? Do you want a private office or a co-working space? Do you need a dedicated desk or will you share? What type of payment plans are there? Do they fit your budget or will you be paying for more office time that you need? When shopping around for a shared office solutions for your business, these are the types of questions you need to ask yourself. Work Webb tries to have an option to fit most business needs. Visit this link to see how we break down our different packages and al la carte add on features.
Professionally Decorated
Is the office professionally decorated? It must be said – an office needs to be pleasing to the eye, decorated nicely, and have nice, comfortable furniture. The first impression of the office space should convey the environment that meshes with your business. If the shared office solution company does not care to provide a clean, professional and comfortable environment for its clients, it may be a sign that this will not be a good fit for your business.
Great Location
Is it a great location? Having an office means meeting clients and clients get hungry. The office
needs to be near some quality restaurants. In addition, it can’t be in the bad part of town. A benefit of using a shared office solutions is upscaling your office at a low cost. Get a view from your shared office, clients are impressed with views. Have restaurants nearby and have convenient parking.
Office Staff
Is there an office staff on site? A receptionist greeting clients and answering the phone is a great first impression for any business. A reputable shared office solution company will provide some office staff to give this professional polish every business can benefit from.
Shared office solutions are becoming increasingly popular because of the many benefits to businesses large and small. Do your research to make sure you pick the right fit for your business. If you live or plan on visiting the Daytona Beach, Florida area and are in the market for shared office services, please visit our website here for more information and schedule a tour.
3 Ways Renting Full or Part Time at a Shared Office Space Can Save You Money and a Whole Lot of Stress
Increase Your Profit and Decrease Your Stress: Rent or Lease a Full or Part Time, Fully Furnished, Private, Semi-Private, or Shared Co-Working Office in Your Area
Renting or leasing an office is expensive: There’s first and last month’s rent; you’ll have to buy office equipment and furniture; supplies, a printer, fax (do people use those anymore?), copy paper, coffee, water bottles, snacks, tissues, toilet paper – the list could go on and on. What gives?
How can you get your business off the ground when all of your start-up money is going to filing cabinets, Internet hookups, and that dreaded cartridge of ink that’s worth its weight in gold? Well, there’s an affordable office rental solution which is trending that can take care of all those things for you. Renting or leasing an office in a shared workplace atmosphere will benefit not only your business and profit, but your peace of mind as well.
Here are 3 ways you can save money (and a whole lot of time and energy) renting a shared workspace or a private or semi-private full or part time office space at a business incubator or co-working office with multiple office or meeting space rental options to suit your particular needs:
1. Renting an office costs much less when you choose to do your work in a co-working atmosphere or shared workspace.
We’re lucky enough to call the offices of the historic Kress building in Daytona Beach, FL home.
Renting or leasing a quality workspace in a quality area is expensive. Renting a full or part-time office in a shared work environment allows you to drastically cut the cost of a worthwhile office rental. You’ll also be surprised by the benefits that come along with the natural networking you’ll engage in amongst other businesses and professionals that also have an office in your building or on your floor. Remember that a shared office will have real estate in “choice” areas of your city or a main downtown area that you otherwise may not be able to afford office space in on your own. Say goodbye to the days of giving sketchy or confusing directions to your clients, no more ruining your business reputation with coffee shop meetings, you can now afford an office in the most notable buildings in your area provided they have a shared workspace.
2. You don’t have to worry about buying a bunch of office furniture.
Fully furnished means exactly that: From waiting areas, to meeting rooms, chairs and desks: shared workspaces have it all.
A fully furnished office rental is a guarantee when you rent office space in a shared workplace or business incubator. When you rent or lease your own office by yourself, the costs of the deposit and rent are just the beginning. Then you have to worry about finding an office chair, work desk, supplies, filing cabinets, wall art, plants (you really should keep live plants in your office), decorations, soap, a coat or umbrella rack (we live in Florida after all), a trash can or two, toilet paper, water, the list goes on…
3. Coffee, snacks, supplies, paper, and even free meeting and conference room rentals at a shared office environment give you everything you need for even your busiest workday – saving you time and money.
Why spend time and money stocking up your office snack area when someone could do it for you? Workplace win!
Any virtual, remote, or shared workspace will have the proper office supplies you need to keep your workday running smoothly – whether it’s that extra cup of coffee, a hit of protein or sugar to keep you going, a professional meeting space or presentation area to impress your clients and colleagues, or a printer, copy, fax machine to get your documents in order and professionally delivered.
Bonus! When you rent a place of work in a happening part of town, the rates are lower at a shared office space, and you get all the amenities and benefits of working in an office on a main street or in a busy section of town (way better than renting an office off of the beaten path!). You’ll really dig the after-work outings and office lunch break options that you get when you rent a workspace in a happening area of your city.
~
Many businesses and professional tenants are benefiting from shared office solutions. Visit Work Webb on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ for more office tips and workplace advice.
Need an Affordable Office for Rent? Consider Work Webb Shared Office Solutions in Daytona Beach, FL
Renting or leasing a shared office space can save you money and provide you with opportunities to grow your business. If you live or work in or near Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, DeLand, or the surrounding areas of Volusia or Flagler counties, contact Work Webb at the Historic Kress Building on Beach Street in Daytona Beach to schedule a tour of our private, semi-private, or shared office spaces, conference, or meeting rooms.
Rent a Conference or Meeting Room and Grow Your Business
“Meeting” a Certain Standard: 3 Ways a Conference or Meeting Room Rental Can Grow Your Business
Most start-ups, independent entrepreneurs, and budding small business owners can’t afford a private office just yet; and for many industries and professionals, sometimes a full time (even a part-time) office isn’t really needed. This poses a problem when the need for a conference or meeting room arises, and your kitchen table won’t cut it. (more…)
