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In the early 1800s, a steam locomotive engineer would have rolled on the floor laughing if someone had mentioned bloggers, YouTubers or online stores. But the truth is that today, the activities born in the digital age are a reality and lead us to believe that there is only one thing we can be certain of: change. And to keep up with it, dear businessman, you need to align india email list your skills with the new rhythms. And if you have to start somewhere… why not with setting up or renovating your office?
In terms of industrial revolutions, it was the steam engine that set the tone at the end of the 17th century. At the time, it seemed like an unbeatable cutting-edge technology. Today, it makes us smile condescendingly because now it is automated processes and robotics that are starting yet another digital revolution that is set to transform the way we live and work. As always, some jobs will disappear, others will grow, and in between, new professional activities will be created.
The so-called 4th Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 ( Internet of Things ) is already changing business models and processes in all sectors of the economy. For example, it is estimated that by 2020 more than 50% of the world's population will have access to the Internet from mobile devices, to search, play, interact, but also – and increasingly – to work. Portuguese entrepreneurs will have to make an effort to better understand the potential of digital technology in order to respond to the challenges imposed by technological advances.
The process is irreversible: work activities will become even more technological and digital. It is increasingly less necessary to be in the office to work, especially since files are already in the “cloud”. From anywhere, you can receive and send emails, write a report, place an order… But (and let’s dance!) since physical offices are not expected to disappear, we must start by transforming them into pleasant places that are prepared to be an effective part of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
It's time to streamline work processes , to go online quickly and easily, in a welcoming, ergonomic and, above all, well-equipped environment in terms of electronics and gadgets. It's time to change the office!
Tips to keep in mind when setting up or renovating your office
Three cheers to you who are opening a company or renovating an office! Your business deserves your commitment and your employees appreciate your attention. Of course, you have already done the math and realized that everyone will spend at least 40 hours a week in the office, right? That's a lot of hours... so many that it becomes important - even urgent - to make this space a friendly and welcoming place, but also a place that promotes productivity and is at the forefront of new technologies in order to speed up and improve professional activities .
Can we help? Great! Follow the list of tips that can help you equip and decorate an office and make your employees exemplary collaborators. Men and women who are happy in their workplace and, as a result, more productive.
Furniture
Regardless of your type of business, there is always room to play around with styles and colours when it comes to furniture. For example, you can opt for furniture that has the same colour as your company (if your logo is blue, your desks or chairs can be blue). The materials can also vary according to your personal taste, but there are two rules that you should always follow: comfort and functionality. It is very important that the furniture is suitable for the work, regardless of the pieces you are going to acquire or renovate in your office, which we will list below…
Desks. Since people don't work sitting on the floor, it's important to start by thinking about desks. The tip here is simple: the bigger, the better, because desks or tables should have enough space for a computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, telephone and still have room for some paperwork.
Chairs. And because your employees won't be working standing up, after the desks – or at the same time – you should think about the chairs you're going to buy. Here the rule has one or two more details: the chairs should be comfortable and adjustable. Working in an office and sitting for a long time can cause health problems, such as headaches, back pain, neck pain and poor posture. If you need to save money, do it with other furniture! You should buy swivel and ergonomic chairs, adjustable to the needs of employees who are not all the same physical height, and preferably with armrests, upholstered in leather and with a wooden base. And then ask your employees to adjust the chairs, that is, to place them at a height that allows their feet to rest firmly on the floor or on a footrest, positioning their forearms parallel to the floor when typing on the computer and positioning the monitor in a way that their eyes can see the entire screen without sudden head movements.
Files, shelves and cabinets
It is important to have a convenient place to store and display your materials, so you should invest in filing cabinets with plenty of space for files, papers, brochures and other materials, because no matter how much technology evolves, it is natural that you will continue to print and store documents. And it is also natural that you will continue to invest in books, for which, by the way, you should have a bookshelf (where you can also place decorative objects). Don't forget some cabinets with doors. They always come in handy. Check out the various furniture options on the Staples website.
Auxiliary furniture
You will certainly need to invest in a sideboard, a meeting table, maples and some shelves. If possible, opt for long tables made of oak or another noble material that will add a touch of elegance and will also be functional and more resistant and durable, which will avoid constant renovations.
Office supplies
Don't buy three pens and a roll of tape at the stationery store on the corner. If you know you're going to need office supplies, try to place an annual order, which will always be more cost-effective. There are numerous gift companies that can help you with your wholesale purchases, as they meet all your office supplies needs and also make your life easier by selling online at very competitive prices. Among the supplies you'll need, we can list the following:
Ballpoint pens, pens, pencils, mechanical pencils, markers, paper clips, springs, rolls of adhesive tape, glue, erasers, sharpeners, notebooks, paper, folders, rulers, pencil cases, mouse pads, pen holders, diaries, calendars…
Computers: Desktops, laptops, monitors, tablets, keyboards, printers
Gone are the days of pen and paper, typewriters and the courier who made several trips a day between the office and the post office, aren't they? Of course, we're not asking you to throw away the notepads or desktop calculators you just ordered, but we also have to praise the ease and automation of new technologies versus the redundancy of mechanical processes.
Nowadays, machines can – and should! – help by processing as much data as possible in the shortest possible time and displaying the results in an accessible way. This is a feature that all types of companies need to have. Including yours! Therefore, nowadays, any office should be computerized and equipped with computers. Whether you choose lighter or more compact models, desktops, laptops or tablets, depends on your needs, the specific nature of your business and even the preferences of your employees, but one thing is certain: you should invest in machines with fast processors and good memory capacity and check that the keyboards are ergonomic and the monitors large enough to ease the workload of those who spend 8 hours a day looking at them.
On the other hand, if you have or expect to have employees who may need to work from home, don't be stingy and get some laptops. Also, check which programs each machine will need, from invoicing software to text and image editing programs. Don't forget that some programs have versions for smartphones and tablets, so you can work with your data from anywhere.
Regarding printers, if you don't already have one, the best option is probably to go straight for a multifunctional printer, which in addition to printing with quality, also serves as a scanner and photocopier.
Communications: phones, smartphones and the Internet
You won't be able to get rid of a landline just yet. Having a dedicated phone number for your office is essential. The question is what type of device to buy when setting up or renewing your company's communications equipment. Some models have specific features that make your employees' day-to-day life easier. The choice will depend on the characteristics of your office. However, there are some very interesting options, designed specifically to increase your business' productivity: wireless, with a screen, speed dial, speakerphone, caller ID, etc.
In addition to a landline, it is advisable to invest in some smartphones with the latest multimedia and communication innovations and, of course, Internet access, which will make your employees' work much easier, particularly when they are away from the office.
Regardless of these forms of communication, your office will only be ready to participate in the 4th digital revolution if it has a quality Internet connection (whether ADSL or fiber). Choose your provider carefully, make sure that they install a connection that meets your needs and don't forget to guarantee support for your IT equipment and protect your equipment against threats, theft and viruses.
Electronics material
And now you need pen drives, hard drives, adapters, extensions, memory cards, speakers, headphones, cameras, mobile phone stands and chargers, mice, webcams... and other electronic equipment that you may need. This order, we would like to point out, can also be conveniently placed with a promotional gifts company , including the same one to which you will award the office equipment.
Lighting
Natural light is very important and, what's more, it's free! The sun is good for you and helps employees stay awake, which makes office activities more productive. However, natural light will most likely not be enough to illuminate the space (and you may not be able to place workstations near windows), so you will need to invest in good lighting, balancing natural light with artificial light (check the legislation on this). In addition to ceiling and/or wall lights, place spotlights on all desks. An interesting, modern, functional and affordable idea is to buy portable USB lamps that plug into computers and shine directly (and only) on the keyboard. The Leroy Merlin website may be a good option for your online search.
Decoration
The decor of your office should vary according to the identity of your brand, product or service. It can range from classic to innovative, depending on what your company wants to convey within its office, both to employees and to clients and other visitors. It is important that the identity is well defined. Youthful or traditional. Cheerful or serious. Relaxed or formal... For example, if it is a law firm or the administration room of a company, it can and should convey an image of order and professionalism. But if it is a designer's office, for example, or the marketing department's room, you can opt for a more colorful and creative image.
Colors
Neutral colors, such as white, beige or gray, are good options for a more serious and professional environment, while light and bright colors look better in other environments, such as schools or art studios.
Decorative pieces
Choose pictures or photos with beautiful frames to hang on the walls of your office, in addition to your diplomas and certificates. This is one of the few resources you have to personalize the space. Think of beautiful and useful pieces to place on the desks or sideboard, such as a clock, a card holder, a pen holder and frames for photos of the work team. You can also use wallpaper to decorate the room or hang curtains on the windows or functional and attractive blinds that work well together with a plain wall. Look for a notice board or a whiteboard, as they are always useful for small messages and for taking quick notes during meetings. And finally, if you want your employees to feel good and wear the company jersey, there is nothing better than allowing them to place personal items on their desks: a family photo, a child's drawing, a favorite mug or another object of affection and inspiration. In addition to decorating the place, these items make people feel more comfortable and happy. Therefore, more productive!
