Transforming Law Practices: The Benefits of Shared Office Spaces for Law Firms

As the legal landscape evolves, law firms constantly seek new ways to optimize their practices, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. One solution gaining popularity is shared office spaces. This blog will explore the numerous benefits of shared office spaces for law firms and how they can contribute to your firm’s success.

Cost Savings

Shared office spaces offer law firms a more cost-effective alternative to traditional offices. By sharing the area and its associated costs, such as rent, utilities, and maintenance, firms can save considerable money. This allows them to allocate resources to more pressing needs, such as hiring additional staff or investing in new technology.

Flexible Lease Terms

Many shared office spaces offer flexible lease terms, allowing law firms to adjust their tenancy according to their needs. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for growing firms or those experiencing fluctuations in their caseloads, as they can easily scale their office space up or down as required.

Networking Opportunities

Shared office spaces often house professionals from various industries, creating a rich networking environment. Law firms can benefit from this by establishing connections with other businesses and fostering relationships that may lead to referrals, collaborations, or even new clients.

Access to State-of-the-Art Facilities

Most shared office spaces provide access to well-equipped meeting rooms, conference facilities, and state-of-the-art technology. This enables law firms to make a professional impression on clients and other legal professionals without incurring the costs of maintaining such facilities in a private office.

Enhanced Productivity

The communal environment of shared law office spaces can positively impact productivity. By working alongside other professionals, law firm employees may feel more motivated and inspired to perform at their best. Additionally, many shared office spaces offer a variety of workspaces, from private offices to open-plan areas, allowing individuals to choose the environment best suited to their work style.

Streamlined Administrative Services

Shared office spaces often provide various administrative services, such as receptionists, mail handling, and phone answering. This allows law firms to focus on their core legal work without hiring additional administrative staff or managing these tasks themselves.

Collaborative Atmosphere

A shared law office space fosters a collaborative atmosphere where professionals can exchange ideas, share knowledge, and learn from one another. This can lead to innovative solutions and creative problem-solving for law firms, giving them a competitive edge in the legal industry.

By embracing this new way of working, law firms can optimize their practices, enhance productivity, and stay competitive in the ever-changing legal landscape. Work Webb, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, offers law office share services. Visit our website to learn more, and call us to schedule a tour. We have a wide selection of options to fit most legal office needs.

Why Renting a Conference Room is the Perfect Solution for Your Business Events

As businesses grow and adapt, the need for professional spaces to conduct meetings, training sessions, and networking events becomes increasingly important. Renting a conference room offers numerous benefits, making it an ideal choice for various occasions. In this blog, we’ll explore the top five advantages of renting a conference room for your next business event.

Professional and Comfortable Environment

A dedicated conference room provides a comfortable, functional, and distraction-free setting for your meeting or event. Unlike cramped offices or noisy coffee shops, a rented conference room creates a professional atmosphere that enhances productivity and engagement among attendees.

Access to Essential Amenities and Technology

Conference rooms have the necessary technology and equipment, such as projectors, screens, audio systems, and high-speed internet. This ensures a seamless and professional experience, making your meeting or presentation run smoothly and leaving a positive impression on your attendees.

Flexible Options to Suit Your Needs

Renting a conference room offers flexibility in terms of room size, layout, and rental duration. So you can choose the space that best suits your specific needs, whether a small meeting or a large event. Plus, the option to rent by the hour or day allows you to avoid long-term commitments and only pay for what you need.

Exceptional Service for a Stress-Free Experience

At Work Webb, our dedicated staff is available to help with any questions or concerns, ensuring a smooth and stress-free rental process. We strive to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible so that you can focus on the success of your event.

Competitive Pricing for Every Budget

We understand that budget is always a concern, which is why we offer affordable rates and unique options tailored to your financial needs. Everyone deserves access to a professional and functional space for their meetings and events, and we aim to provide just that.

Elevate Your Next Business Event with a Rented Conference Room

Renting a conference room from Work Webb can take your business presentation, training seminar, or networking event to the next level. With a professional environment, essential amenities, flexible options, exceptional service, and competitive pricing, it’s the perfect solution for your business needs. Read what our happy clients have to say; contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help make your next event successful!

Build Strong Relationships with your Remote Team

Remote employees are mentally and physically happier, which is part of the new normal. It gives employers more hiring options, and a company will have productive and satisfied staff if done correctly. For example, research from Owl Labs found that remote and hybrid employees were 22% happier than workers in an onsite office environment and stayed in their jobs longer.

However, there are still challenges when it comes to remote workers, and it can be challenging to maintain consistent communication with your team to combat the increased feelings of loneliness and isolation. Therefore, staying productive and boosting morale is essential to building strong work relationships.

Whether your team is entirely virtual or hybrid, and you want to build strong relationships with your team, staying connected is critical. These strategies will help.

Schedule virtual breaks

Employees working remotely still need breaks during the day. Let people know when you take your coffee break, and invite them to join you. Keep your virtual coffee break between 10 and 15 minutes and use small-group features like breakout rooms to encourage more discussion.

Create moments of connection

Before each work meeting, take a moment to check in with each employee. This practice became a routine during the pandemic and continuing to ask personal questions such as “How are you doing ?” can help build the healthy connections needed to combat feelings of isolation.

 Leverage visual collaboration software

Encouraging collaboration in the workplace is shown to increase productivity. According to a Stanford study, people who are encouraged to collaborate stick to a given task 64% longer than people who work alone. In addition, those same workers report higher engagement levels, less fatigue, and higher success rates. Visual collaboration software offers features that can imitate those used when working together in person. Collaboration can be achieved with technology, and every employee can contribute regardless of location.

Be proactive with status updates

You don’t want to be out of sight, out of mind when working remotely. Instead, take a proactive approach to schedule time with your manager—even if it’s just a 15- or 30-minute weekly call to check in.

Adapting to the new world of work can be challenging in many ways. But you can build strong relationships within your organization with a bit of ingenuity.

Remote vs. Hybrid Work: What is the difference?

Words matter, and when it comes to the words used to describe the changing landscape of work, they matter even more. Two words have been used since the pandemic, hybrid and remote. Although these words have been around for a while, they are now in our daily conversations. But do you know what they mean? Before COVID-19, the word hybrid was used to describe a car, not a work schedule, and remote working was not standard. So the purpose of this blog post is to explain the difference between the two, a little history on the evolution of work, how Work Webb can be used for both of these work schedules, and which option will dominate in the future of work.

Remote Work

Remote work is the practice of employees doing their jobs from a location other than a central office operated by the employer. Such locations could include an employee’s home, a co-working or other shared space, a private office, or any other place outside the traditional corporate office building or campus. Working from home is another phrase used interchangeably for this work schedule, and it has a long history that predates the invention of the internet.

Before the industrial revolution, skilled workers worked from home and sold goods. With the industrial revolution, there came a need for automation and factories. Then after World War 2, we saw the rise of the corporate headquarters, with cubicles and the invention of the eight-hour day. But the advancement of technology, specifically the creation of the internet and computer, remote working took centerstage.

Why is Remote Work Popular

Remote work has become increasingly popular because it benefits employers and employees. For example, remote workers tend to be more engaged and productive when working on their schedules. The graphic below shows the uptick for remote working as well hybrid.

Hybrid Work

Hybrid work is a flexible approach that allows employees to split their time between working in the office and working from home. Several factors are driving the move to the hybrid office, including the increasing popularity of hybrid work and the need for businesses to be more flexible and accommodating to employees. In short, you are in the office, collocated with colleges some days of the week, and working the rest remotely. This type of schedule will vary depending on the industry you work in and what is the most productive for you and your team.

What Will the Future of Work Look Like

Top executives believe Hybrid is the model that will dominate by 2024. In fact, a survey found that 81% of senior executives believe the future of work is a hybrid work model, with over 56% of work done outside of the office meaning remotely. So it looks like both of these options will be in the future.

How Work Webb Can Help

As mentioned in previous blog posts, working from home may not work for everyone. This is where a shared office solution, like Work Webb, comes into play. The option to drop in and get a desk for a day or rent a dedicated office is just two ways a co-working space can assist remote workers. Regarding a Hybrid work schedule, workers can rent our conference room by the hour or day to meet up as needed to collaborate, reducing travel costs for your company.

If you are looking for remote or hybrid office solutions in the Daytona Beach or Melbourne, Florida area, consider Work Webb. Visit our website to learn more and read what our Happy Clients say about our services.

Coworking Spaces Can Make Employees Happier

A 2019 survey by Gartner revealed that just 13% of employees are satisfied at work. Fortunately, a 2022 survey by Willis Towers Watson found that 90% of employers plan to put employee experience at the top of their agenda.

If you’re a business owner thinking about renting desks for your team, here are two reasons you should consider a coworking space membership without delay.

A sense of belonging

Our sense of belonging is vital for our well-being. These groups could be our peers, sports teams, religious groups, or coworkers. The latter is essential when it comes to the employee experience, and it’s something you don’t get proper when you work from home every day.
Belonging is about more than holding Zoom meetings.

A coworking space is where remote employees can visit to reconnect with colleagues after periods of working from home. It also allows employees to build relationships and social groups with other people who use the space.

Coworking spaces can improve people’s well-being

Our work lives can significantly impact our sense of well-being, which is why it’s so crucial for employers to create workplace environments that prioritize well-being and work-life balance.
Employers need to be flexible to achieve a work-life balance, and coworking spaces can meet this need. For example, employers can pay for only the desks they need at any time accommodating a hybrid working schedule. Options tend to be super flexible, and companies can take on more or less space when needed.

Spacious breakout areas, adaptable desks, and areas that cater to different working styles can help maintain a high level of productivity.

If you are looking for a shared office solution for your coworking needs consider Work Webb. We have two locations and a variety of options to choose from. Call us to schedule a tour and read what our happy clients have to say about our services.

Hybrid Office Evolution

Employees Have a New “Worth It” Equation

The Big Compromise

The Best of Both Worlds: How to Create a Hybrid Work Environment

A hybrid work environment can offer the best of both worlds for employees – the flexibility to work from home when they need or want to, while still having the option to come into the office and collaborate with colleagues.” The hybrid work environment is becoming increasingly popular as more and more companies offer their employees the opportunity to work from home at least part of the time. Today, a majority of employees—some 81%—say they don’t want to return to the office or would prefer a hybrid-work scenario.

So how do you make a hybrid work environment work for you?

Set clear boundaries

Failing to draw a line dividing your work and home life can be detrimental to your mental and physical health, so set clear boundaries on what hours you are on the clock and stick to them. It is tempting to “check a few emails” when the office is just down the hall. But this type of practice can create terrible precedence that will negatively affect your mental health over time and will not establish a healthy hybrid work environment.

Create a flexible schedule

This one can get tricky, you want a flexible schedule, but your boss needs you at a meeting. So the best advice here is to make your schedule and stick to it as much as possible. For example, if Tuesdays seem to be a better time for most of your team to go into the office, then rearrange your schedule to provide consistent days where your attendance can be counted on for collaboration. 

Get the right equipment

The technology that enables remote work is another challenge; 90% experience issues when working from home.

 So make sure you have the right tools to work from home. The right tools mean a comfortable chair, desk, strong Wi-Fi signal, and a printer if needed. 

Work Webb can be your office away from the office and a temporary office while setting up your work environment at home. We provide all the technology needed to be connected to colleagues and have various options to choose from. Visit our website to see what our happy clients say and call us to book a tour. 

The Benefits of Having a Dedicated Desk

The co-working space phenomenon has grown into an industry fast becoming a staple of the business landscape in a post-COVID world. Shared office solutions stimulate this business because the setup is the best of two worlds – the traditional office and remote working. The shared office space also offers professionals who like the co-working vibe but do not want to sacrifice their privacy with other options, namely dedicated desks.

A dedicated desk is a physical space within an office reserved for a specific person to use as their workspace. The desk is usually assigned to an individual rather than being shared by multiple people. The dedicated desk allows professionals a permanent space to work while also giving them additional advantages.

Here are several benefits of having a dedicated desk:

Increased Productivity

A dedicated desk can help increase your productivity as it provides you with a space that is specifically for you to use. This can help reduce distractions and help you focus on your work. Often, people feel comfortable in areas with a touch of personalization. Dedicated desks allow you to personalize your workspace and make you feel at home while working. The more comfortable people are in their personalized space, the more productive they will be.

Cost-Effective Option

It can be costly for companies to set up a separate space in the office for each employee. If employees have to pay for the area themselves, this can get pricey. For example, dedicated desks allow employees to have their own space while at the same time not breaking the bank.

Provides adaptability

The flexibility of the lease of a co-working space ensures that you can opt for a bigger space when business needs demand it. For instance, if traveling is included more in your job portfolio, the dedicated desks are a great idea. You don’t need an ample working space if you travel often.

As the office landscape continues to transform, more and more companies are migrating to co-working spaces, which offer privacy and teamwork. However, it would be best to consider getting a dedicated desk—it provides more privacy, better work management, and high productivity, which can be very beneficial to you and your business.

If you are looking for a dedicated desk in the Daytona Beach or Melbourne, Florida area, consider Work Webb. We have many options that can adapt to most business needs. Visit our website to learn more and read what our Happy Clients say about our services.

Organize your Work Environment for Improved Productivity

How you organize your work environment affects how your team behaves in that space, so strategically managing your office will help you create the company culture your team needs to hit their goals. Having a cluttered desk is not a sight that inspires one to have a productive day, much like waking up to a dirty kitchen. The appearance of clutter signals to your brain that there’s extra work to do before you can even start your daily tasks. When your brain feels overwhelmed by all this work, it triggers a stress response. Organizing your workspace reduces the frequency of that stress response, gives you a feeling of control and makes you more efficient.

You can take some easy organizational steps to quickly get ready for your day and not take up valuable work time.

Hide the Wires

Let’s face it; the wires can get out of control with all of the monitors, computer towers, mice, laptops, phones, and chargers that adorn the typical office desk. Because reducing visual clutter helps minimize stress, hiding all these messy wires is essential. Roll up the slack in each cord and slap on a binder clip. This tip will quickly organize the cord maze under your desk.

Use Wall Space to Your Advantage

Do you have free wall space near your desk? Don’t waste this valuable real estate. Instead, free up space on your desk by installing pegboards or wall shelves to sort mail, electronics, or office supplies. These times will still be handy and out of your way.

Organize your In-box

Email consumes a lot of our time and can get overwhelming quickly. Think of your email as your digital desk and keep it organized as your physical workspace. Create folders in your email to sort your emails into easily digestible information like to-do lists and even prioritize them. Taking the time to unsubscribe to various marketing emails like newsletters that you no longer want to receive will also be a worthwhile spend of your time instead of deleting them because this will ultimately reduce the number of emails you have to deal with daily.

Declutter

First, look at your desk and throw away things you no longer need. That old grocery list, office depo receipt, or phone message should not be taking up space. Instead, get rid of the unnecessary paper from your workstation. Next, tackle the loose documents by using file folders. Bundle them according to topics that make sense to you and stack them. A pile of folders that look organized on a desk will look more pleasing than a pile of paper.

Implement a Workflow System

Pick a place on your desk as the “Things to Do” area and the file folder there. For example, folders with action items that must get done that day go on the right of your keyboard, and completed tasks go on the left. At the end of the day, the items on the left are removed from your workstation. This system will give you a sense of accomplishment, keep you on track to reduce the clutter on your desk, and organize your work environment.

How to Overcome the Challenges of Hybrid Work

While companies are preparing to bring their staff back into the office, some consider a hybrid work schedule as the new norm. This arrangement allows the employees to continue to work remotely while lowering the business’s overhead costs, but it does come with challenges. But how is this new schedule implemented at no expense to their employee experience?

The specifics must be planned out for your individual business needs, and if done correctly, a hybrid work schedule can be a win-win for everyone.

Here are a few common problems and solutions.

Misalignment between in-office and remote employees

Hybrid working can create a disconnect between employees working in the office and those not. One of the main appeals of hybrid is the balance between independence and collaboration, and you need to make sure your hybrid working arrangement encourages both.

One way to overcome this problem is to set specific days for in-office work and make those days focus on collaboration. In contrast, the days when everyone’s working from home are reserved for more independent work, which doesn’t require (as much) in-person interaction.

Office Costs

Depending on how your company intends to balance this new schedule, keeping a dedicated office could waste resources. With a hybrid work schedule, you will need some office space.

One of your best options is probably a coworking office space or another company to share it with.

Labor costs

It makes sense that remote employees aren’t entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses and should instead be compensated for using their own internet and electricity. But how do you balance that in a hybrid setting?
Offer the employees the choice and let them know of the tradeoffs and/or changes to their benefits in advance. They can then decide on what is best for them.

Managing the Employee Experience

A hybrid schedule is a big disrupter in traditional office settings. Company culture is experienced much differently for employees mainly working in the office versus those working remotely. This is especially relevant for new employees who need to get onboarded in a remote or hybrid setting.

Strive to keep the experience as balanced as possible and remember to offer everyone the choice. Plan company events with hybrid top of mind, potentially in combination with more in-person get-togethers, and ask other companies what they do on this issue.

Work Webb can assist you to implement a hybrid work schedule with its menu of options. We have two locations, Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida, with dedicated parking and conveniently located to restaurants. Read what our happy clients have to say about our services and call us to schedule a tour.

Hybrid Work Schedule Benefits

This year employees expect to have more flexible work options, and one option is a hybrid work schedule. A hybrid work schedule includes having employees work from home remotely, in the office exclusively, or a mix of both in-house and remote. Hybrid work uses digital tools to support interaction between in-person and remote participants, and these tools must facilitate participation, collaboration, and communication to be successful. Here are some benefits of implementing a hybrid work schedule for your employees:

Improved productivity

A hybrid work schedule can offer flexibility and empower employees to utilize their strengths, boosting productivity.

Boost employee satisfaction and culture

The attractiveness of hybrid work is employees choose when and where to work. This allows employees to focus on getting work done peacefully and without being disturbed or distracted.

Better work relationships

Virtual meetings can play too significant a role in hybrid work. Providing a mix of in-person and virtual meetings tailored to team members’ habits and needs will build better working relationships.

Improved mental health

Fully remote work reduces human interaction, adversely affecting your employees’ mental state and it’s essential to create opportunities that optimize communication and foster mental well-being. The work-life fit is a vital aspect of any healthy working environment. And hybrid work enables each employee to fit their work and life together in a way that works for them.

The hybrid work model has the potential to take your organization to a new level of productivity. Finding a shared office solution in your area can assist you in finding the perfect temporary office space for your hybrid work needs. Call us today for more information or schedule a tour at one of our locations.

Virtual Working Tips for the New Year

During the coronavirus outbreak, many organizations have asked employees to work remotely and for some companies, virtual working is now commonplace. So for those new to remote working, we want to share some tips on making it work.

Self-Care

Virtual working can be a big transition, so cut yourself some slack. You might have feelings of being lonely, isolated, stressed, frustrated, anxious, unmotivated, or relieved, relaxed, energized, or productive. However you feel is OK, so don’t beat yourself up.

Take scheduled breaks

Walk around while chatting on the phone and make sure to take a lunch break away from your email. Breaking up the day enables you to refresh and increase your productivity when you return to your work.

Protect your time

Many managers’ concern about their virtual employees is that they are just doing laundry and bingeing Netflix. When in reality – the opposite is usually true — people tend to work more virtually because it’s harder to “leave” work. Set “in office” hours and communicate these with both colleagues and family.

Protect your workspace

If you utilize your home for your office, talk to family members or roommates about the hours you work virtually and the ground rules during those hours. Of course, we also recommend finding a shared office solution near you to rent a desk for the days you need to focus. Having an alternative workspace is critical to being consistently productive.

Create a system for sharing documents

Consider Google Docs, Box, or Dropbox to share files. This will ensure the correct version of a document is worked on and shared.

Work Webb can help virtual workers in Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida, stay focused, productive, and happy. Both locations are near restaurants for breaks and have a wide selection of options to fit most needs. Visit our website to read what our happy clients say and call us to schedule a tour.

Benefits of Remote Working

When companies worldwide sent their employees home to work virtually due to COVID-19, remote work had a big moment. What became apparent was that employees could be productive and focused when not in the office—in many cases, even more so. As a result, employers everywhere began to understand that remote work works.

Here are some benefits to working remotely:

Better Work-Life Balance

Remote jobs come with adaptable schedules, which means that workers can start and end their day as they choose, as long as their work is complete.

Money Savings

Companies —like Twitter, Square, Shopify, and Facebook, to name just a few—have seen long-term costs savings by having employees working remotely.

Increased Productivity and Performance

Remote working usually leads to fewer interruptions, fewer office politics, a quieter noise level, and fewer meetings. Fewer distractions lead to increased productivity—a massive benefit for both employees and employers alike.

A Happier, Healthier Work Life

Remote, flexible workers tend to be happier and more loyal employees, in part because it has been shown to lower stress, provide more time for hobbies and interests, and improve personal relationships, among other things.

A shared office solution like Work Webb has helped several companies adapt to working remotely. We have a variety of options to choose from that fit most needs. Call us today to schedule a tour and answer any questions. Visit our website to see what our happy tenants have to say about our services.

How to Choose the Right Office Chair

It is essential to choose the right office chair so you can be productive while supporting your back. A good chair is critical if you pull long hours at your desk. Here are some features you should look for when you purchase an office chair.

Height Adjustable

Your office chair needs to adjust to your height, so when seated, your thighs are horizontal to the floor so look for a pneumatic adjustment lever to let you bring the seat higher up or lower.

Backrests

You should be able to position your backrest in a way that suits your needs. A locking mechanism that holds a backrest in place is suitable not suddenly to tilt backward.

Lumbar Support

Choose an office chair shaped to match the natural contour of your spine. Make sure the chair you choose supports your lower back that your back is slightly arched so that you don’t slump as the day goes on.

Get a Chair the Correct Size

The office chair seat should let you sit comfortably. Look for a wider seat if you are taller and a shallower one if not so tall. Choose a chair where you sit with your back against the backrest and have approximately 2-4 inches between the back of your knees and the chair seat.

Choose Breathable Material and Sufficient Padding

Breathable material is more comfortable when sitting for long periods. The padding should be comfortable to sit on, and it is best to avoid a seat that is too soft or too hard. A hard surface will be painful after a couple of hours, and a soft one will not offer enough support.

Armrests

An office chair with armrests reduces the strain off your neck and shoulders. Choose an office chair where the armrests are adjustable to let you position them to allow your arms to rest while making you less likely to slouch.

Easily Adjustable

Make sure you can reach all adjustment controls from a seated position to choose the right office chair because it is easier to get the height and tilt just right if you are already sitting.

How to Organize Your Desk

Your work environment is often a reflection of how you feel. Some people are more organized and have a more personal style while others are less. Your workstation needs to be set up to accommodate your needs and productivity best. It should also be comfortable and conducive to work.  If you find yourself overwhelmed by piles of paperwork and disorganized files, it’s time to take action. Here are some suggestions for how to organize your desk:

Prioritize your stuff

Your desktop is big enough to house all of the things that you probably don’t need. It’s time to get organized. Remove all the items from your desk at the beginning of your day and as you work, only bring up the things you need. This will tell you what is essential to keep on your desk to be more productive and efficient.

Go with the workflow

Many people have left-to-right tendencies when it comes to their work environment. This means that incoming items are on the left, while outgoing items are on the right. Creating a no-parking zone around your desk can help reduce stress levels.

Reduce visual clutter

The desktop may be orderly, but it can also be cluttered. If there are too many things to do, it can become a distraction. Organize your desk by removing notes from around your computer screen to create a clean view. Replace some to-do lists with an inspirational quote or a photo that brings you joy, so your desk has some work-life balance.

Go digital

If you haven’t migrated to digital productivity tools yet, then it’s time to get started. This will help you organize and communicate more effectively, and it will also give you the tools to monitor and manage your tasks.

Check under your desk

The cords and cables under your desk are not only a safety hazard; they can also damage your skin. Use Velcro wraps and cord tamers to prevent tangles and give your feet more room. If you have old boxes of files under your desk, go through them to see what you can discard.

Wipe it down

Get into the habit of regularly cleaning your work area. Doing so helps keep your office looking its best and create a healthy space to be productive.

For more office tips, sign up to receive future Water Cooler blogs emailed to you. If you are looking for a shared office solution in the Daytona Beach or Melbourne, Florida area, visit our website to see our options and call us to schedule a tour.

A Shared Office Solution is an Excellent Idea for your Startup

Most startups choose to run their business from home, but this arrangement may not be suitable. It can also be challenging to stay focused. There is a better option: using a shared office solution. A shared office solution space brings together remote workers, small business owners and staff, and freelancers in a shared work environment. The key benefit to these spaces is flexibility. Each space has a different layout, like an open office with lines of desks and breakout areas or a more enclosed setup (with private offices and meeting rooms). Shared office solution spaces are flexible in their pricing structure and commitment level. The majority will let you rent a space on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis. If you don’t mind sharing a few office amenities with others, a shared office solution space could be a solid option for your business, and here are a few reasons why:

Improved Facilities

A coffee shop or your home office can present some challenges to professionalism—namely noise and non-business interruptions. Using a shared office solution will provide the space needed to concentrate with fewer distractions.

A Cost-Effective Solution

A traditional office space rental can be the solution your startup needs, but they generally require a long-term financial commitment. However, a shared office solution frees your startup to be flexible as it grows and changes. You can use the space as and when you need to on a day-to-day or month-to-month basis. You can also rent meeting rooms when you need to.

Options to Grow

Another benefit of a shared office solution space is that you can scale up as and when you need to.

Work Webb has two locations (Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida) with many options to choose from and meet most individuals’ needs looking for a shared office solution. Visit our website to see what our clients have to say, follow us on Facebook, and call us today to schedule a tour. We look forward to hearing from you and having you join the directory at one of our locations.

Things You Should Never Do in a Remote Meeting

The last decade has seen a slow and steady shift towards remote and flexible working, accelerated by the pandemic. The number of people working from home has reached unprecedented levels, and professionals have quickly adapted to this new way of operating. This includes a remote meeting with clients and co-workers among many other new ways of working.

Many have had to get learn new technologies, mainly using online and audio-conferencing calls as the primary tool for interacting with one another. This new tool has also meant learning a whole range of new behaviors and video meeting etiquette. There have been many funny videos and memes over the last year of remote workers going to the bathroom and getting caught not wearing pants. While these incidents make for great social media entertainment, it’s not what you want to happen during your professional meetings.

To make this easier, we have put together a list of six things you should never do in a remote meeting.

Wear pajamas

One of the most significant benefits of working from home is that you don’t have to get dressed up. Instead, you can throw your hair up in a messy bun and work in your pajamas if you want. But it would be best if you never showed up to a virtual remote meeting dressed like this.

Snack

It’s unlikely that you’d whip out a bag of chips when sitting in the boardroom, and the same rules apply when attending a virtual meeting.
The meeting will only go on for so long, so hold off. If you really must eat during the call, choose something quiet that isn’t distracting everyone involved.

Choose a busy or distracting location

Not everyone has the luxury of a home office; some may be working from their living room tables or bedrooms, but you still need to be cautious of your surroundings during a virtual meeting. Ensure you keep the area tidy and don’t sit in front of any distracting artwork or wallpapers. After all, you want all participants to be engaged in the meeting, not watching the TV behind you or staring at your ever-mounting pile of laundry.

Let your pets or family wander around freely

Similarly, you need to eliminate distractions for both you and other meeting participants, which means you can’t have your family, housemates, or pets just wandering around in the background. This can be very distracting and could draw attention away from the meeting at hand.

Speak over people

Last but not least, you need to make sure you’re not cutting anyone off when they’re speaking, which can be tricky if there’s a delay. Be sure that you leave a little pause before answering and don’t talk over other participants. Similarly, it’s best to avoid asking open-ended questions to everyone, especially during a meeting with numerous participants. Otherwise, you might find your co-workers are tripping over each other trying to answer, and it becomes confusing. Always be specific when addressing someone or asking them a question.

How Managers Can Support Remote Employees

As many employees continue to work from home, remote work can be filled with challenges. Even though the working-from-home routine is not new to society, some managers are still struggling to support remote employees. There are some relatively quick and inexpensive things that managers can do to help their employees. Here are some actions that you can take today to assist your remote team:

Daily check-ins

Many successful remote managers hold a daily call with their employees. The calls must be regular and predictable, and that they are a conference in which employees know that they can consult with you and that they will be heard.

Use various communication technology options

Email alone is insufficient. Remote workers benefit from having options such as video conferencing, which gives participants many visual cues that they would have if they were face-to-face. Investing in a channel-based messaging platform, like Slack or Microsoft Teams, is a good option for shorter or more urgent matters that can arise during the workday. Utilizing another platform will also ensure that messages do not get lost in an overload email inbox.

Establish rules for communication

Set expectations for the frequency, means, and ideal timing of communication for your teams. For example, do not use videoconference for every communication. Establish rules for when to use email versus other forms of communication and lead by example by following these rules.

Provide remote social interaction opportunities

A manager must structure ways to interact socially with their team while working remotely.  The easiest way to establish some necessary social interaction is to leave some time at the beginning of team calls for non-work items.

Managers can implement these tools quickly to support remote employees better for the new year. With this support, employees are more likely to take up the call with a renewed sense of direction.

Readers: Find us on Facebook and Instagram!

How to Up Your Productivity Game When Working from Home

Working from home has taught us a lot about structure, boundaries and self-discipline. If you have been asked to work remotely because of the pandemic, now that we are months in, hopefully, your routines are taking place, and you have made some progress in adjustment to very different work life. Now that you have the groove on, it is time to make a little deeper dive into the best way to be productive. There are many ways to increase levels of productivity but here are a few that we find most beneficial. 

Time Blocking

Many people like to time block their days, but it can also help to block your entire week. … One week is mostly dedicated to client work, and the next week is mainly dedicated to working on your own business (blog posts, marketing, finances, etc.). This can help you stay focused, so you do not have to switch from ‘client mode’ to ‘admin mode’ every day.

Take regular breaks throughout the day.

Set a Pomodoro timer to have regular breaks to practice awareness and be present. You need to create opportunities for space throughout the day proactively. You can try this meditation as a pause between work. 

Make sure you are ‘working from home’ not ‘living at work’ 

This article from Human Resources Director makes some great points about productivity though many of the challenges we’ve during this time, not so much physically draining, the most difficult to overcome have been psychological.

Goal Settings

It isn’t enough to just set a schedule; you need to set goals for what you will accomplish in that time. Perhaps, goal setting, whether short-term, mid-term, or long-term, is part of your work-at-home agreement with your employer already. However, if not, you should do it for yourself and make sure that it’s based on your values’ solid foundation.

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.

–Work Webb

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.

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!

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.