Human Resources – North Consulting Services

10 Ways To Improve Office Environment

koenig.jeffrey — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

North Consulting Services

10 Ways To Improve Office Environment

10 Ways To Improve Your Office Environment

The happier you and your employees are, the more successful your small business will be. One of the best, and easiest ways to ensure you and your employees enjoy coming to work everyday, is to create a pleasant and enjoyable office environment. At North Consulting Services we have compiled a list of some of the most useful ways you can improve your office space, and promote business growth.

1. Proper Lighting

A dark and dingy office can leave employees uninspired and unproductive. Having a workspace that is properly lit can improve morale and productivity. One of the best ways to do this is by allowing as much natural light into the workspace as possible. A study at Northwestern University found that workers exposed to natural lighting enjoyed better sleep at night. Being well rested is key to increasing productivity the following day.

If your office or place of business does not have natural lighting, adding extra lamps around the office helps keep the space adequately lit.

2. Organize Workspace

A desk overflowing with papers and office supplies can lead to an inefficient, and ineffective workspace. By adding an effective organizational system, you can decrease clutter, allowing you to focus on your work. We recommend including an effective filing system, as well as an organized storage space for supplies, to help clean up your work area and increase your productivity.

Organizing is important, not just with your office supplies, but with tasks and planning as well. If you have a startup business, we offer startup consulting services to assist you in ensuring your business stays organized and continues to grow.

3. Reduce Distractions

It’s only natural for us to get distracted from time to time. If you want to minimize distractions, ask for, or create a workspace that is quieter and more secluded from the rest of the office. If your office has an open plan workspace, listening to music with noise cancelling headphones can help you stay focused and avoid noisy distractions.

Additionally, closing all non-work related tabs on your computer, and silencing or turning off your phone can help you stay focused on the task at hand.

4. Leave Your Computer

Staring at a screen for eight hours a day can take its toll. Some people elect to get blue light glasses to help their eyes from the strain, but that can only help so much. If you feel your eyes straining from the screen, we recommend looking away for awhile.

Even a small break from the screen can help your eyes and brain readjust. If that doesn’t help, try having a quick chat with a coworker or doing something productive away from the computer to help you readjust and refocus.

5. Personalize Workspace

Your desk allows you the opportunity to showcase your personality. Most desks are generally unattractive on their own, and by adding some personal photos, plants or other decor you can express your personality. You will be spending forty hours or more a week at your desk, so giving your desk a personalized feel can help improve your mood and productivity.

6. Get To Know Your Coworkers

Considering you will typically be at the office forty hours a week, you’re likely to interact with your coworkers or employees as much as your family. Taking the time to get to know them can lead to a better overall environment and help you understand your similarities and differences. It is much easier to work with someone who understands you, and vice versa.

Being able to effectively communicate with coworkers and employees is key in helping your small business grow. If you’re looking for additional ways to grow your business we recommending hiring a small business consulting service.

7. Add Color To The Office

Most office buildings are built with plain taupe walls and grey cubicles. An uninspiring environment can lead to uninspiring ideas, and uninspired employees. Bright, vibrant colors are proven to make people happier. Painting the walls or adding colorful decor to the office is a great way to improve employee’s moods. Happier employees can lead to business growth.

8. Make The Office Comfortable

Most people who work in an office sit down while working, so it’s important to be comfortable. Upgrading the furniture in your office to something that is durable and comfortable can go a long way. Additionally, upgrading to a new office chair can help improve your posture, as well as alleviate some of the neck and back pains associated with sitting down for an extended period of time.

In conjunction with comfort, having a clean, pleasant smelling office can provide you and your employees with a more enjoyable workspace. If you do not have the time to clean the office yourself, you may want to hire a professional cleaning service.

9. Add A Recreation Area

Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day can be tiresome and grueling. Adding a recreation area to your office gives employees a place to decompress, as well as stay active. If you don’t have the room to add a separate recreation area to the office, you can add a table game like a ping pong or foosball to the break room to help encourage your employees to stay active.

10. Avoid Micromanaging

Employees who feel trusted and supported, without being micromanaged, are more relaxed and confident about the job they’re doing. Employees who feel like they are under a microscope perform differently, and may begin to resent their job. Remember why you hired your employees in the first place, and trust that they will do the job you hired them to do.

Conclusion

A happy and pleasant work environment has been proven to be conducive to business growth. Incorporating some of the ideas listed above can create an environment that you and your employees enjoy coming to everyday. If you would like to know more about how you can improve your office environment, or have any other questions about growing your small business, please CONTACT US at North Consulting Services.

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Why Hire A Domestic Virtual Assistant For Your Small Business

koenig.jeffrey — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

North Consulting Services

Why Hire A Domestic Virtual Assistant For Your Small Business

Why Hire A Domestic Virtual Assistant?

Time is money. Your small business can only do so much in the workday, and if you find yourself in need of extra help, you may want to consider hiring a virtual assistant. As internet infrastructure improves, so has the ease of hiring a virtual assistant. Last week we discussed hiring a foreign virtual assist, but this week we will discuss why hiring a U.S.-based virtual assistant may be beneficial for small business’s growth.

What Is A Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) is someone who provides support to your small business from a remote location. They can provide many different services to help support you and your clients. VA’s can be employed within the U.S. or anywhere in the world. Many are willing to work unique hours to meet the needs of your small business. Virtual assistants do many of the tasks a personal assistant would do, but remotely. This allows you to hire from a national or international talent pool and avoid overhead of an office of employees.

Reasons To Hire A Domestic Virtual Assistant

It is true that foreign virtual assistants can cost less, but a possible lack of communication and knowledge of American culture could cause issues. U.S.-based virtual assistants can help you combat many issues associated with hiring a foreign VA. There are websites like Upwork, which can assist you in finding a US-based virtual assistant who’s right for you. If you have a startup business, you may want to hire a virtual assistant to allow you more time to focus on getting your business off the ground. We offer startup consulting services to assist you in ensuring your startup business has the infrastructure to prosper.

1. No Time Zone Issues

Businesses need to run efficiently, and having a virtual assistant who lives halfway around the world can make it difficult to connect with them. Last minute tasks, having your virtual assistant present at a meeting or daily phone calls are much easier to coordinate within U.S. time zones. This allows you to schedule tasks and meetings at a time that’s convenient for both you and your domestic virtual assistant.

2. No Language Barrier

For many foreign virtual assistants, English is not their first language. This can make it difficult to effectively communicate with a foreign VA, and in turn, make it difficult for them to effectively communicate with you and your clients. Hiring a U.S.-based virtual assistant avoids this potential obstacle, and ensures that language isn’t a barrier to communication.

3. No Cultural Barriers

Each country has it’s own unique culture, regional dialects and traditions. A foreign virtual assistant may not know enough about U.S. culture, or the culture of a specific region in the U.S., which could result in issues in understanding American money, accents, travel, pop culture, slang, measurements or media. An American virtual assistant will most likely understand American culture better than a foreign VA. This knowledge can reduce the amount of explaining or information you’ll need to provide to get tasks done properly the first time.

4. Supporting U.S. Employment

Hiring a domestic virtual assistant will likely cost more when compared to hiring a foreign VA, but you will be supporting U.S. employment. It tends to look better to clients or customers when a small business employs U.S. workers, and this could potentially increase your sales. While employing strictly American workers could increase the cost of your services or products, many people are willing to pay a higher cost to support a small business.

Common Services Provided By A Virtual Assistant

Graphic Design
Social Media Management
Customer Service
Recruiting
Administrative Work
Bookkeeping
Data Entry
Public Relations
Online Marketing

In Conclusion

Hiring a U.S.-based virtual assistant allows you to avoid possible issues with timeliness and communication, while supporting American jobs. If you are looking to hire a virtual assistant for your small business, or have small business coaching needs, please CONTACT US at North Consulting Services.

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Hiring A Foreign Virtual Assistant For Your Small Business

koenig.jeffrey — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000

North Consulting Services

Hiring A Foreign Virtual Assistant For Your Small Business

Hiring A Foreign Virtual Assistant For Your Small Business

There is only so much that can be done in a workday. If you, or your employees do not have the time, consider hiring a virtual assistant. With improved global internet infrastructure, it has never been easier to hire a virtual assistant. They can help accomplish many of the tasks you do not have time to do and ensure that you have the time necessary to help with the growth of your small business.

What Is A Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) is someone who provides remote administrative, technical, or creative support to you and your clients. They are similar to personal assistants, but are independent contractors who work from anywhere in the world. Many virtual assistants work as freelancers, while others are employed by agencies. Virtual assistants can offer over 100 different services that are tailored to help your small business grow.

Why Hire A Virtual Assistant?

Virtual assistants are there to help you with tasks you simply cannot, or do not have the time to do yourself. Hiring a virtual assistant allows you to delegate less important tasks such as sending emails, internet research, technical support, scheduling meetings and data entry. Employing a team of virtual assistants can allow you to offer 24/7 customer support to your clients, allowing your business to service any timezone.

Many virtual assistants come with a wealth of experience, and many already support multiple businesses. This experience can allow you to get a unique insight into the best industry practices, providing you the opportunity to further improve and grow your small business. Because VA’s work remotely and are generally independent contractors, you can save on costs such as holiday/sick days, recruitment and training costs, and office modification costs for a new employee.

It is important to prioritize your time wisely and maintain an effective work-life balance. Hiring a virtual assistant can allow more time for you to focus on important work while also allowing you more time to focus on friends and family.

Why Hire A Foreign Virtual Assistant?

There are plenty of virtual assistants you can hire in the U.S ., but one of the most common places to hire a VA from is the Philippines. Employee turnover is the enemy of any business, and countless sources credit Filipino workers as some of the most loyal in the world. With the Philippines being thirteen hours ahead, you are able to assign your VA work at the end of the day, and come back in the morning to a completed task.

Another benefit to outsourcing your VA to the Philippines is that most applicants have an advanced degree, computers and reliable internet making it easy to work remotely. With VA’s working from home, you can substantially save on salary and overhead costs. The average cost of a General Virtual Assistant (GVA) from the Philippines is anywhere from $500-$800 a month. In the US, the average cost of a GVA is $10-$20/hr, saving an average of $1,100-$2,400 a month.

In the Philippines, having an foreign boss can be seen as a way to elevate your social status. The Philippines is considered an “emerging economy”, but it can be hard for many there to find a job. By employing a Filipino worker, you can help them have a steady job and support their family. If you are concerned about a possible language barrier, most Filipinos speak American English. There is a website specifically designed for hiring Filipino workers, which can help you find the perfect candidate for your small business.

By outsourcing your VA to a foreign country like the Philippines, you can save on costs for your business while simultaneously finding a hard worker who wants to do their best to help your small business grow.

How To Communicate With Your Virtual Assistant

Your virtual assistant will be working remotely, which means communication could be more difficult when compared to having an in-office assistant. Fortunately, there are numerous virtual assistant software tools built specifically to help you communicate and work with your small business team.

Emailing has long been the traditional method for people to communicate in business, but it is a slow process and can waste time. One of the most popular intraoffice communication tools is Slack. Over 750,000 businesses use Slack, and it uses “channels” which are essentially group conversations that revolve around a set topic. These channels give your VA, and other people on your team an easy, organized way to communicate. By adding a VA to your company, you can use Slack to contact them directly, and if you’re out of the office, someone from your team can contact them directly as well.

It is hard to meet face-to-face with a foreign virtual assistant. Using tools such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, can allow you to conduct “face-to-face” interviews with potential applicants as well as continue to communicate with them as employees.

When deciding what software tools are best for your small business, considering hiring a small business consulting firm to assist you in your decision.

In Conclusion

Hiring a foreign virtual assistant can be a force multiplier for your company, at a fraction of the cost. If you are unsure whether hiring a foreign, or US based virtual assistant is right for your small business, or have any other questions, please CONTACT US at North Consulting Services.

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10 Ways To Improve Morale At Work

koenig.jeffrey — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000

North Consulting Services

10 Ways To Improve Morale At Work

10 Ways To Improve Morale At Work

Millions of Americans go to work every day, but many are not happy in their work. Improving the morale of your employees can boost productivity and improve the overall efficiency of your small business. In today’s discussion we will look at ten different ways to improve morale in the workplace.

1. Promote A Work-Life Balance

One of the best ways to improve morale at work is ensuring that your employees have plenty of time to themselves. Limiting working after-hours can help significantly improve productivity and morale in the workplace. In a study conducted by Stanford University, economics professor John Pencavel found that productivity per hour declined sharply when a person works more than 50 hours a week. Productivity dropped even further in those who worked 55 or more hours a week.

Steve Glaveski of Collective Campus, an innovation accelerator based in Melbourne, Australia, conducted a two-week experiment in which he had his team work six hours instead of the standard eight. This shorter workday forced the team to prioritize effectively, limit interruptions and focus solely on the task at hand. He found that after these two weeks, many of his employees reported having an improved mental state, and that they had more time for rest, family, friends and other activities. Glaveski also noticed that the team maintained, and in some cases increased, their quality and quantity of work.

Promoting a work-life balance at your small business can be one of the most effective ways to improve morale and boost productivity.

2. Build Trust

Solid relationships are built on trust. This is no different when it comes to the relationship between an employer and their employees. One of the most effective ways to build trust is by letting your employees provide feedback on management decisions. If an employee’s voice is heard and valued, they are more likely to care about the work they are doing, and therefore work more effectively for the company. This works the other way around as well. As an employer, it is important to keep employees in the loop about impending changes within the company. This can prevent employees from becoming jilted if they feel an important decision has been made without them.

Studies have shown that only 12% of employees leave their job for more money, so building trust can ensure that employees feel valued and want to stay and provide their best for your small business.

3. Interact Outside The Office

You’ve probably seen a movie or TV show in which the main characters go on a corporate ‘retreat’. It tends to be a cliche used in movies to show just how well a character is getting along with their coworkers. Events outside of the office, such as a retreat, can be very beneficial to the morale of employees. Whether its a work event, holiday party or a family day, allowing your employees to interact outside the office can encourage creativity and offer a more relaxing work experience.

These events are a great way for employees to connect and learn more about each other. Many work events can be cost-effective as well:

Pancake breakfast: You’ve probably seen local schools hold these throughout the year, but a pancake breakfast can be a cost-effective way for your employees to connect in a stress-free environment as well as by starting the day with a full stomach.
Potluck lunch: Potluck lunches are another way to help your employees connect over a meal. With each employee bringing a dish, it can add variety to your normal lunch routine and give your employees the opportunity to creatively express themselves or introduce coworkers to their culture. Adding a cook-off with the winner receiving a work-based incentive can add more fun to the festivities.
Activity-based: Company retreats or holiday parties can be expensive, so perhaps opt for a more cost-effective work outing like bowling or mini-golf. Activities like this can be fun for employees and offers another chance for employees to get to know each other outside the office.
Charity: Encouraging employees to support local charities through fundraising activities can help build stronger employee relationships and improve morale.
Physical Activity: Physical activity has been proven to make people happier. Taking a walk, or going to the gym while working can improve a persons mood.

4. Offering Benefits And Growth Opportunity

When searching for a career, many people look at the benefits included with the position, as well as the opportunity for growth within the business. Offering employees comprehensive benefits can ensure that they and their families are covered. Benefits do not always have to be just medical insurance; consider offering employees stock in the company. This is a great financial incentive and can let the employee know that they are valued.

An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a benefit plan that gives your employees ownership interest in your small business. ESOPs encourage employees to do whats best for the shareholders since the employees themselves are shareholders. According to the National Center for Employee Ownership, 14 million Americans are enrolled in an ESOP, and over 6,500 businesses offer an ESOP.

Opportunity for growth does not always have to be in the form of a promotion. While promotions are a good way for an employee to grow, you can also offer them unique and interesting ways to improve their professional skills by providing improvement courses or having them attend a conference. If you are not sure what benefits to offer to your employees, consider contacting a small business consulting firm to help you better meet the needs of your employees.

5. Promote Diversity

By promoting workplace diversity, your employees can feel that their different ideas and opinions are an asset to your business. An article in Forbes notes “an increase in innovation and creativity among a culturally diverse group can create an esprit de corps and the feeling of positive progress for the benefit of the group and the organization”.

Promoting diversity can be tricky. Without a well thought-out and well-researched plan, businesses may end up hiring candidates not because of their qualifications, but because they fit picture the company is trying to create. When looking to promote diversity in the workplace, it is important that every employee must know there is no tolerance for discrimination or harassment. Taking the time to celebrate employee’s differences can go a long way in making each employee feel valued in their work.

6. Encourage Real Breaks

Many of us want to work as hard as possible, but at some point we need a break. Research has shown that only one in five people take a lunch break and that white-collar workers were least likely to take a break. Creativity and innovation tends to happen when people change their environment, and getting away from your desk, even just for a few minutes, can improve creativity and offer another perspective on a project. Encouraging your employees to take genuine breaks can improve their happiness and help them feel recharged and ready to get back to work.

7. Employee Recognition

Everyone likes to be recognized for the work they have done. By recognizing the work of an employee, it can make them feel valued and motivate them to continue doing well. This is one of the easiest ways to improve morale at work, and it doesn’t cost anything.

8. Small Gestures

Another one of the easiest ways to improve morale is by extending small gestures to employees. Giving a small gift, a thoughtful card, or saying thank you is a great way to show an employee you care about them and are interested in their well-being and their life outside of work.

9. Wellness

Mental and physical health are important. The healthier someone is, the better they tend to feel. Many businesses have started offering courses on physical, mental and emotional well-being to their employees. By doing this, it can show your employees that you care about their mental, physical and emotional health. Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day can take it’s toll, and by offering your employees breaks and wellness courses, you can give them variety in their workday.

Another helpful way to encourage employee wellness at your small business is by offering standing desks. Standing desks can encourage an employee to be more active while at work. Standing also burns more calories than sitting, and research has shown that in an afternoon of standing work you burn 174 more calories when compared to sitting. Additionally, 87% percent of people who used standing desks reported increased energy throughout the day. If standing desks, or wellness courses don’t sound like the best options for your small business, consider hiring a small business consulting firm to help you figure out the best strategies to maintaining employee wellness.

10. Plants

It may seem odd, but adding plants to the workplace is one of the simplest ways to improve morale. Research from Live Science has shown that “people who toiled in offices with plants and window views reported they felt better about their job and the work they performed compared to those in windowless offices without shrubbery around”. There is a direct correlation between employee morale and plants in the workplace. Research has shown that “plants do more than just clean the air”, they improve job satisfaction and morale. A study conducted by the University of Queensland concluded that being around plants at the office can boost employee productivity by as much as 15%.

In Conclusion

Businesses know that keeping employees happy is essential to productivity and efficiency. By including some of the ideas mentioned above, you can help your employees feel happy and valued in their work. If you are unsure of what method works best for your small business, or want to discuss other options please CONTACT US at North Consulting Services.

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