Meetings are all a part of work life, discussing important aspects of your business with employees that should help to improve business relationships and work ethic. However, some meetings feel like they take forever and leave employees feeling uninspired and unmotivated, reducing productivity within the workplace.
Increasing meeting productivity is the ideal way to encourage morale among employees, encouraging company-wide collaboration and creativity that will help to boost your business.
At Us&Co we’re big believers in creating productive meetings that leave your employees feeling inspired, but how can you bring this productivity into the workplace? We have come up with our top 10 ways to boost meeting productivity in the workplace, so you can find the right fit for your business.
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Creating Time
Time may not seem like an issue, but if you are planning a meeting you need to ensure that it will not affect anyone’s schedule, or cause stress to employees that are already struggling to cope with their workload.
Put all meetings into employees’ schedules, creating designated times for them to attend these meetings. Ensuring your employees have the time in their schedule for important meetings is a crucial step towards productivity and avoiding employee burnout.
Allow employees to come to you with any scheduling conflicts and give them the leeway to step out of meetings if needed, without worrying about consequences. If they must attend a meeting, try to work with their schedule to ensure they feel motivated when meeting time comes around.
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Only Schedule Meetings When Necessary
Have you ever heard mutterings of “That meeting could have been an email”? If so it’s an indication that you could cut down on the number of meetings you hold, only planning meetings where necessary.
Holding meetings that your team finds unnecessary can leave them feeling like time is being wasted.
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Create A Meeting Agenda And Stick To It
When planning a meeting you should have a clear agenda in mind. Think about the purpose of the meeting and create a detailed agenda to send to employees that allow attendees to prepare for the meeting in advance.
Creating a relevant agenda is the ideal way to keep your meeting on track and to ensure your meeting stays within time and purpose.
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Limit Meeting Attendees
One way to boost meeting productivity is to limit the number of people invited to attend the meeting. By only inviting a select few key attendees you can ensure you follow your agenda with those most likely to help gear the meeting towards your desired outcome.
Inviting too many attendees to your meeting can leave you with a room full of people who are unclear on the meeting’s purpose or their involvement, reducing productivity when they could have been working on something else instead.
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Ensure The Meeting Space Meets Your Needs
If you are planning to hold a productive meeting you need to ensure that your chosen meeting space has the facilities and features needed.
Whether you are having a meeting in your own meeting room or looking for one to use outside of the office, having issues with the space will have a negative effect on the productivity of attendees.
Ensure that if you plan to use technology, your meeting space has the required resources. Technical difficulties can lead to frustration and a lack of motivation in meetings, making the meetings take longer than planned.
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A Change of Scenery
Sometimes meetings can feel draining and repetitive, mixing up your meeting scenery can put a stop to these productivity issues. Why not try out a new meeting space for a fresh change of scenery? A new setting can help to engage and inspire attending staff for a productive meeting that leaves everyone feeling motivated and ready to get back to work.
Another way to add productivity and a change of scenery is implementing standing or walking meetings. Standing meetings get people up from their desks and help to keep the meetings short, whereas walking meetings are a fantastic opportunity to get out of the office and into the fresh air and sunlight.
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Keep Meetings Short And Sweet
Keeping meetings short and concise whilst following your pre-arranged agenda can boost productivity and reduce scheduling stress amongst attendees.
If you keep a meeting short, attendees will be motivated to get through all of their discussion points within the time frame, creating a productive meeting that doesn’t take up too much time out of people’s schedules.
Focusing on a single topic per meeting allows attendees to hyper-focus, without going off on tangents that leave the meeting feeling unresolved by the end of the given period.
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Create A Phone Free Zone
Removing phones from meetings is a great way to focus attention on the topic at hand.
Using phones during a meeting is unnecessary and can show a lack of respect for those speaking when used. Try having a phone basket in the meeting room, or encouraging attendees to leave their phones at their desks while the meeting takes place to avoid any distractions.
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Create Action Items
Ending your meeting with a recap of the discussion and a selection of tasks for attendees to complete can leave everyone feeling motivated and ready to work
Create a series of action items for everyone that attended the meeting, these items will motivate and inspire attendees whilst managing the workload brought on by the meeting.
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Recap
Once your meeting is over send out a recap of what was discussed and the mentioned action points to all attendees. Sending out the meeting minutes ensures that attendees remain motivated to complete the task at hand, resulting in a meeting with a productive outcome.
Participate In Productive Meetings At Us&Co
At Us&Co we provide flexible workspaces and meeting rooms that are the ideal space for productive meetings. Conveniently located in both London Stratford and Monument, Us&Co’s affordable meeting spaces are the ideal change of scenery for your next meeting.
Get in touch with our friendly team to book your next meeting at one of our excellent spaces, or check out our selection of meeting rooms today.
What Will Happen to Flexible Working in a Recession
2023 is beginning a little differently than previous years, with talk of a recession set to hit the UK this year.
Recessions can be worrying times for business owners and employees alike as some industries may struggle to generate the same sales as they have previously, meaning a reduction in other costs may be a prominent theme during this time.
But how will a recession affect the current popularity of flexible working for employees?
Flexible working can be the ideal solution for employees and employers alike, allowing people the flexibility to work from the office or from home at various stages of the work week.
At Us&Co we believe that a flexible workplace helps to motivate employees, which is why we have looked into the potential effects a recession may have on flexible working, and how employers can still benefit from it during hard times.
What is Flexible Working?
Flexible Working offers a choice in ‘when, how and where’ people work, whether that is remote, part-time or flexible hours. These possibilities have been added into contracts and company policies in recent years due to their motivational qualities for employees.
Flexible working became popular during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing business to continue as usual while people were refined to their homes. It’s remained popular among businesses ever since, helping people to maintain their work life balance whilst still putting in excellent work, leaving people feeling happier with their roles and workplace.
However, with the potential of an upcoming recession predicted to begin in 2023, it is likely that some employers will be questioning the benefits of flexible working for their businesses.
How will a Recession affect Flexible Working?
With the introduction of a recession comes the potential for financial loss amongst businesses, which is why employers are looking at ways they can continue to provide jobs and services that don’t have a negative, long-term impact on their business.
With a reduction in finances, it is understandable that employers may want their staff members to be making use of a workspace that is paid for by company funds. It’s also understandable that they may want to cut costs wherever possible, however flexible workspaces during these times can be a gift rather than a curse.
How you can use Flexible Workspaces for your Business
Flexible workspaces, such as the affordable office spaces in London provided by Us&Co, bring employers the opportunity to offer workspaces to their employees without the need for a fixed contract on an office, allowing you to choose weekly meeting spaces, co-working desks or the occasional private office space for your team.
Flexible workspaces can help to increase employee comfort and productivity, whilst making well-being an important factor. Since 2020 it has been shown that flexible workspaces paired with a flexible work schedule have improved productivity at work whilst making sure employees are satisfied with their job in the workplace.
Workspaces like those found at Us&Co are typically open plan, encouraging engagement with team members and easy opportunities to work together or brainstorm.
They also utilise shared kitchens and socialising facilities with other businesses and site users, cutting the costs of additional expenses such as electricity or water bills, with these costs being built into the overall cost of renting a flexible workspace.
How removing Flexible Working could create Employee discord
Flexible working has become the norm in recent years, with remote or part-time working being the most common flexible work opportunities provided by employers.
As financial stress begins to unravel due to thoughts surrounding the recession, it is expected that some employers will begin to think about rolling back these opportunities as they try to bring in more structured working roles.
Removing flexible working from your list of business offerings can be a big negative for those in your team, especially if the flexibility of working from home helped to benefit their personal lives too.
From parents to carers and those with large commutes, flexible working has been a huge benefit, so removing this as a work perk risks pushing those people into looking at more reliable job opportunities, potentially with competitors or even outside of the industry if the benefits are better.
Adjusting Flexible Working Opportunities
Rolling back on flexible working completely risks demotivating your employees, which is why it may be a better choice to adjust your flexible work plans rather than removing them altogether.
If you are looking to adjust flexible working opportunities, try lowering your company’s ‘work from home’ threshold. If your current flexible working policies include five days working from home, with the parameters being to come into the office for meetings, lower this to two or three work-from-home days. This way you are still providing a motivating, flexible work opportunity to your employees, whilst building team members in the office on a weekly basis.
How Flexible Working can be a Benefit during a Recession
Flexible workspaces, like day offices or co-working day passes, can be a great opportunity for businesses to reduce costs during a recession.
Leaving large offices behind can remove a large expense from your company. Instead, having a once or twice-weekly office in a flexible workspace like Us&Co can provide you with an eco-friendly, budget alternative that allows you to implement set office days or book meeting spaces, whilst allowing your employees to work remotely otherwise. This can help to motivate employees, bring a work life balance to the forefront of your employee benefits, whilst also providing a financially viable solution during the recession.
Discover Flexible Workspaces with Us&Co
At Us&Co we offer a series of flexible workspaces in London to suit all of your professional needs. Conveniently located in both Stratford and Monument, Us&Co provides affordable office space in London.
Each office space has access to facilities and excellent technology to help make your experience in a flexible workspace run smoothly.
Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more about our excellent spaces, or view virtual tours of our London Stratford and London Monument locations today.
The Benefits of Choosing a Flexible Workspace
The rise of flexible working has brought flexible workspaces to the fore in recent years. They may be nothing new but before the COVID-19 pandemic showed us the importance of a healthy work-life balance, the advantages were mostly confined to how they benefit employers rather than employees.
Today, there’s much awareness of how flexible workspaces are a win-win for employers and employees. From top to bottom, they can contribute to greater happiness and productivity, while fitting in with the fast-paced demands of the modern work world.
We’re big believers not just in flexible working, but also in having a workspace that complements this flexibility on every level. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what flexible workspaces are and how they can enhance your work environment.
What is a Flexible Workspace?
Flexible office spaces give occupants access to a professional work environment without the hassle of owning or renting outright. Most often, this is a serviced space that requires minimal upkeep on the occupant’s part, with a versatile series of rooms that’s often shared with other like-minded businesses (although not always).
The types of flexible spaces available include day offices, co-working spaces or even individual rooms such as meeting rooms or conference facilities that can be rented out for short periods.
This is especially useful for start-ups looking for an office that don’t want the long-term commitment of leasing a space indefinitely. However, the advantages can also extend to well-established businesses that need extra space quickly and conveniently – when hosting a conference, for example.
Some key features of flexible workspaces:
- Typically open plan to encourage engagement
- Shared kitchen and socialising facilities
- Breakout spaces and quiet zones to complement various workstyles
Flexible offices are designed to mould to the needs of employers and employees on every level, hence the multipurpose spaces on offer (as well as the bespoke payment plans that are often non-contractual).
Flex Space Benefits for Your Business
Businesses who embrace flexible offices report a range of benefits that extend beyond the added convenience. Below are some key advantages:
1. Highly adaptable spaces with reduced overhead costs
Traditional offices are iconic for their cluttered and often mundane layouts. Of course, a cluttered work environment can also be an unsafe one; the working world has had to evolve post-pandemic, and the more breathable spaces of a flexible office are perfectly suited to this evolution.
Flex spaces include all the pieces of furniture and equipment you’d expect to see in a fresh office (minus the specific essentials like laptops, etc.). There’s no need to uproot and ‘move in’ – your employees can simply turn up, plug in and get to work.
There’s also the possibility of changing the space to meet your requirements. If you’re looking to set up shop in a flex space for a longer period, you’ll likely be permitted to move the desks and chairs around to suit your needs. This effectively makes the space ‘yours’ without any long-term commitment.
Needless to say, this all amounts in little to no overhead costs. Your business pays a flat fee for the space you use; electricity, water and even beverages can be included.
2. Enhanced productivity
The lighter layout and versatile facilities can also contribute to greater productivity among your workers. They’re not ‘shackled to their desks’, so to speak, with access to spacious, multipurpose areas designed to improve productivity.
As mentioned earlier, this includes quiet zones for focused work and breakout areas for collaborative tasks. Say goodbye to noise-cancelling headphones and awkward huddles in tight spaces – comfort and convenience is the name of the game.
3. They encourage networking & collaboration
Growing businesses understand the importance of networking all too well. You never know what possibilities a watercooler conversation can open up.
Because flexible offices are large enough to accommodate multiple businesses of various sizes, there’s an indispensable opportunity to meet and work alongside other professionals. Co-working spaces are built to bring people together rather than separate them into cubicles, contributing to increased collaboration and, in turn, greater satisfaction.
As we continue to lean into the advantages of the digital era, the world is becoming increasingly interconnected. Flexible spaces designed in accordance with the co-working model are spearheading this revolution.
4. They contribute to a modern workplace culture
It’s a simple equation: happy employees = greater workplace culture. Workers are more savvy than ever about their work-life balance; they want an environment that enhances their happiness alongside their careers.
So, modern workplaces must offer a competitive work-life balance to attract and retain talent. Flexible spaces provide just that – greater freedom in the workplace and more scope for flexing around the work week, too. Because flexible workspaces can be tailored to your needs, you may choose to adopt a hybrid model whereby you have a set number of office days and working from home days. For modern employees, this arrangement is essential.
Find Your Flexible Workspace in London
If you’re based in and around London, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of flex space opportunities. If you’re looking to utilise one for your business, we’d love to hear from you.
At Us & Co, we run a series of professional, flexible workspaces in London. Beautifully fitted and conveniently located, they’re a boon to businesses who are looking for a co-working space that complements the modern lifestyle.
Get in touch today to find out more and view virtual tours of our locations below:
8 Facilities to Look for When Hiring a Meeting Room
Successful meetings are built on first impressions. The meeting room facilities at your disposal can make or break your event, so choosing a venue that offers the necessary amenities is essential.
A meeting room is so much more than just four walls: it’s a world of opportunity for every attendee when utilised efficiently.
Taking it a step further with state-of-the-art meeting room facilities that don’t break the bank is the true first prize. To that end, we’ve prepared this list of features to look out for when hiring a meeting room.
If you’re looking for the highest-quality event possible, be sure to tick each of these things off your checklist:
1. Adaptable Meeting Spaces
If you want an adaptable meeting space, look out for facilities that can fit groups of various sizes. Whether you’re after a meeting room for 1-to-1 scenarios like interviews, for presentations to sizeable groups or roundtable board meetings, choose a space that can flex to your needs. Visit it beforehand, if possible, to ensure you’re happy.
Stand-up meetings are becoming increasingly popular in the corporate workplace. Find out more about the advantages of stand-up meetings here!
In the current social climate, you should also consider a venue with a COVID-secure workspace policy – this is essential, not only for health and safety but also for the peace of mind of your attendees.
2. Comfortable Seating
For any meeting, sometimes it’s the little things that get in the way of your attendees’ enjoyment and engagement. Uncomfortable seating is one of those things, so ensure your venue has seating with lasting comfort no matter how long the event is due to run!
Whichever meeting room arrangement you’re going for, comfortable seating is a necessity; it allows your attendees to focus on the important things without undue distractions.
Read our blog for more tips for surviving a long meeting.
3. An Inspiring, Accessible Location
An attractive and accessible location will make it easier for attendees to find the venue and mitigate any hassle before your event has even begun. More importantly, ensure the venue is accessible for those with disabilities. If you are unsure about this, speak to the management team.
The trophy pick is a venue in a central hub. Chances are your attendees will be familiar with the area and so can find it more easily.
Us&Co has meeting facilities in Central and East London and the heart of Dublin.
A location surrounded by attractive amenities, such as restaurants and other areas of interest, will likewise make a good impression, so bear this in mind.
4. Breakout Spaces for Networking Opportunities
There’s no substitute for face-to-face meetings. If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that we thrive on in-person interaction Choosing a space that facilitates this will elevate your meeting to no end, giving your group valuable networking opportunities as well.
An impactful event relies on more than just what goes on in the meeting room itself. Utilizing a meeting room facility that offers breakout spaces like an open-plan kitchen/lunch area will serve your attendees well as a decent networking space during breaks and between sessions.
5. Fully Stocked Technology Suite
This is non-negotiable in the modern meeting room. Reliable technology that both engages users and maintains reliability throughout your meeting’s runtime is vital for getting the most out of the event – and keeping your attendees invested.
Be sure to tick these things off your technology checklist in any prospective meeting venue:
- Reliable, superfast Wi-Fi connectivity
- Hassle-free presentation software
- Integrated room speakers
- Video conference facilities for virtual attendees
- The necessary connectivity facilities, e.g. cables, ports, etc.
- An on-hand in-house technician to help you get set up
Inefficient technology facilities can stop your meeting in its tracks, so to avoid any frustration, ensure you’re happy that the included facilities are up to modern standards!
6. Catering Options at the Venue
If you’re hosting an all-day or even half-day meeting, having catering options at the venue is a vital convenience. An in-house catering team offers a reliable alternative to sourcing food yourself on the day – simply let them know in advance what you want and at what time during the day. Thereafter you can put it out of your mind, allowing you to focus on other logistic considerations!
This works in tandem with giving attendees networking opportunities – food is a fantastic social catalyst after all, so ask the venue for a list of catering options and pick out the most appropriate options.
7. Adequate Parking Space
Ample parking becomes increasingly important the more attendees you have, so you’ll want to be sure there’s plenty of space for all your attendees beforehand.
Of course, a central and accessible location may mitigate the need for parking somewhat, especially in larger commercial hubs, but this is still a point worth considering and a potential contributor to attendee satisfaction.
8. A Reliable Venue Management Team
Finally, be sure to choose meeting facilities managed by a reliable, responsive, and adaptable team. All a venue’s other facilities can be substantially elevated when handled by a management team that ensures your experience is as hassle-free as possible.
Be sure to discuss your requirements with the venue’s management when enquiring about their meeting rooms to ensure all your needs are catered.
Explore Us & Co’s Meeting Room Facilities in London and Dublin
Us & Co is a series of flexible co-working office spaces in London and Dublin. We’re passionate about helping young and growing businesses find the perfect solution to their office space needs – and we offer a variety of meeting room facilities for rent at all of our locations.
If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with us – our team can talk you through your options for meeting room rental at our 3 locations:
3 top interview techniques to help you get that job
The pandemic has cast a cloud of uncertainty over many aspects of our lives. The rulebook has been thrown out the window; our home is now our office, the UEFA Euros 2020 is being played in 2021, and job interviews are now all predominantly online. Things we take for granted, such as the Olympics being held every 4 years, can be thrown to the wind as a luxury of a bygone era.
Nevertheless, things are not all doom and gloom. Even though there has been a marked increase in unemployment due to the pandemic, according to the Financial Times, “the UK Labour Market has begun to thaw” as recruiters see one of the strongest rebounds in permanent hiring in years. Ireland, cautiously optimistic, show signs of the following suit.
But what does this mean for job applicants? What new tricks do we have to learn to ace that job interview?
Thankfully, not much has changed on that front. Besides dialling into a video call from the comfort of your own home, you can rest assured that if you get the basics right, you have already built a solid foundation for any interview!
But don’t take our word for it! We talked to Fiona Joyce, the Office Support Principal Consultant for Sigmar Recruitment, the largest organically grown recruitment consultancy in Ireland, who provided us with 3 of her top tips for an interview. This is what she had to say…
1: Do Your Research
Heading into any interview, you should be fully aware of the role and what the organisation does. My best advice here would be that you should study the job specification well enough that you should be able to explain what the position is without needing to refer to the job spec.
When researching the organisation, you must study their website and search for any articles or announcements about them. A good rule of thumb is that you should talk for 90 seconds about the company. This doesn’t mean talking about the company’s entire history, but you do want to be able to demonstrate that you know who they are (key players), what they do (a brief overview), and their overall ethos and culture.
With this company research – drop it in where you can. Show off your homework! Passion and Enthusiasm for the company and role can be a deciding factor between two people. Remember, they are hiring a colleague as well as an employee!
Tip 2: Know Your CV
It sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s still a piece that trips a lot of people up!
When speaking about your CV, you should know your dates, past employment, and role duties so well that if all copies of your CV disappeared tomorrow, you could re-write it from scratch.
Many employers will ask you to take them through your CV. The best way to run through your CV is to go through these 3 easy steps:
1. Where you worked and when.
2. Your job title and a brief overview of your core duties – give 3 – 5 points on what you did there and skills you learned in the process.
3. Why you left this job – again, a brief line to explain why you left.
Follow this structure as you talk through all of your roles, and you should be able to get through your CV run-through quickly and concisely. The interviewer will then ask for more information on areas of specific interest, and this is when you should go into more detail.
It’s imperative that if it’s on the CV, you need to be able to talk about it! I’ve often interviewed people who have experience on their CV from ten or more years ago, and when asked about it, I’ve been told, “I can’t fully remember; it’s so long ago!”. This will damage your chances in an interview. The experience that the employer is asking about may be of particular importance or relevance to the position that you have applied to, which is why they will want to know more about it. You have one chance to grab this job, so don’t waste it by not putting in the work on (re)learning the CV.
With video interviews being the norm these days, it is easier for you to have your notes nearby but out of sight. However, it’s important not to spend too much time looking at them during your interview. I’ve interviewed candidates over video daily for the last year, and I quickly noticed that you could very easily tell when someone was reading their CV off the screen versus reciting it from memory. An interviewer will want to see that you are present, engaging, and aware of your experience. Avoid reading your CV, as it will pull attention away from you when you break eye contact with the interviewer.
Tip 3: Be Passionate and Honest
When asked why you have applied to this role, be honest. Every hiring manager out there has heard the words, “I’m looking for a new challenge”! Give them a reason that’s personal, original, and specific.
Many people feel the need to sugar-coat their reason for leaving, but it’s perfectly acceptable to tell the truth, and say, “I’ve learned all I can in my current role”, or “It’s no longer an industry that I’m passionate about”. This does not reflect badly on anyone; it’s just a genuine reason for wanting a change.
This may link back to Tip 1., but while you’re looking into the organisation, you should identify things about the organisation that appeals to you, the reasons why they appeal to you, and why you genuinely want to work with them. Don’t be afraid to tell your interviewer, and don’t be shy in using emotive language such as “I love the fact that…” or “What really attracted me to…” or even “What I found to be very impressive is…”.
When giving examples, give them from the point of view of already being in the role, doing the job. This lets the interviewer see that you are already thinking from the perspective of their new employee. For example, you could ask a question like, “When I am running this report, where is the data coming from?”. It’s a question that shows your understanding of the role and engagement in the interview process and allows the interviewer to hear that you’re already envisioning yourself on their team!
Get in touch with Us&Co today:
Stratford, East London Flexible Workspace, 11 Burford Road, E15
Phone us: 020 3102 4010
Please email us: enquiries@usandco.com.
London, Monument Flexible Workspace, 7 Harp Lane, EC3R 6DP
Phone us:020 3102 4010
Please email us: enquiries@usandco.com.
As we draw closer to the finish line of this pandemic, flexible working hangs in the balance. Now that we have seen that flexible working is manageable but successful for so many, we should see an uptick in companies offering flexible working. However, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), two-thirds of employers are not willing to introduce new types of flexible working; “research… showed that only three in 10 employers (30 per cent) are looking to introduce new types of flexible working (excluding working from home) over the next year“. Though this statistic may appear to signal the end of flexible working, the opposite is true. It’s undeniable that the way we work has changed forever. The truth is the benefits of flexible working are a win-win for employers and employees alike. Flexible working is here, and it’s here to stay.
But what is “Flexible Working”?
Flexible working describes a working arrangement that provides flexibility to how long, where, when and/or what time you work, away from your existing working arrangement such as the traditional 9 to 5. Flexible working comes in many different shapes and sizes, from Remote working to Job Sharing and is very much adaptable to the individual.
But what benefits can flexible working provide employers and employees? Let’s find out.
Interested in having a flexible workforce? Why not have a flexible workspace too! Get in touch with the Us&Co team to discuss a flexible office membership at our London Monument, London Stratford or Dublin workspaces.
Flexible working benefits for businesses
Though companies may be reluctant to implement flexible working in the long-term due to a hesitancy to restructure their operational model, they need to consider future-proofing their business. You can develop a myriad of reasons not to push the boat out, but you’ll soon find yourself in shallow waters. The way we work has changed, and it has changed for the better. The benefits of flexible working for employers will outweigh any negatives that may appear to rise to the surface. For instance, by adopting it now, you can adapt much faster than others to the nuances involved and reap these subsequent benefits.
Reduced Costs
By implementing flexible working, you can review your costs and realise you can make significant savings by downsizing your real estate footprint. This will not only reduce rent but also reduce your IT requirement, furniture expenditure and utilities. You can also reduce costs by using a flexible service provider who offers short-term flexible leases, which avoids the need for CapEx.
Less Presenteeism & Absenteeism
According to the Centre of Mental Health 2017 report, presenteeism (reduced productivity at work due to being ill) cost the UK £21.2 billion per annum. By offering flexible working options, you could reduce your individual costs and better your employee’s mental health. The same is true for absenteeism as the report found that absences due to sickness cost the UK £10.6 billion each year while a further £3.1 billion was spent on staff turnover due to poor mental health alone. Flexible working, be it hybrid working, part-time or job sharing, can greatly benefit your employee’s mental health, which will benefit productivity and costs.
Productivity
Flexibility breeds creativity and, in doing so, inspires productivity in employees. Over the last year, employers have found that flexible working (working from home) didn’t cause a drop in productivity, and indeed some found an increase in productivity. According to a survey carried out by the CIPD, 71% of employers found that working from home has either boosted or made no difference to productivity.
Staff Retention & Morale
By providing flexible working options to your staff, you will gain company loyalty through your employees, who will be less likely to move jobs. Employees have many various personal responsibilities, and being allowed the flexibility of work to maintain a good work/life balance will create good morale and attract new talent. Therefore, employers who offer flexible working arrangements have a substantial advantage in the recruiting process and have access to a larger talent pool.
Flexible working benefits for Employees
As we now know, employers can benefit greatly from flexible working, but what really are the benefits of flexible working for employees? The reality is that employees have been calling for flexible working arrangements since the invention of the personal computer. And now over a year into the pandemic, we can see what benefits employees can reap from flexible working, which is evident from a study done by academics at Cardiff University and the University of Southampton who found that nearly 90% of all those who have worked more flexibly during the pandemic wish to do so once it is over.
Better Work/Life Balance
Flexible working provides staff with the time and space to adapt to their own personal lives, such as parental and familial responsibilities. According to CIPD, 20% of working people are stressed due to family relationships, while over half of those who flexibly work felt it is a good way to achieve a good work/life balance. Allowing employees this much-needed flexibility can help reduce their stress levels, resulting in a more productive and happier workforce.
Higher Job Satisfaction
Giving employees the autonomy to manage their own working hours and schedule can have tremendous benefits on their job satisfaction. People work better when they can choose when and where they work. It improves their focus and productivity. Flexible working also can inspire the entrepreneurial spirit in employees, which can be very beneficial for their confidence and overall job satisfaction. The autonomy of flexible working can also decrease employee burnout as they will be comfortable taking time-out to recoup.
Reduced Expenditure
It might seem like a small and obvious benefit, but the lack of commute not only does wonders for your mental health but also saves you money. According to a survey carried out by PR Agency Tyto, the average London commuter spends £5,114 per year. This does not include the intangible mental cost of unpaid hours travelling in and out of work. By flexibly working, be it hybrid or working remotely full time, you will reduce the cost of your commute considerably. When you consider not having to buy lunches or pay for childcare, the savings increase exponentially.
Of course, there can be some disadvantages to flexible working. Some, while flexibly working, experience a stigma called flexism – where staff are discriminated against due to flexibly performing their roles. Nevertheless, any drawback like this one is more indicative of organisational problems than flexible working itself. Flexible working is very much on the rise if not becoming the norm. The true benefits of which have not yet been truly realised.
Get in touch with Us&Co today:
Stratford, East London Flexible Workspace, 11 Burford Road, E15
Phone us: 020 3102 4010
Please email us: enquiries@usandco.com.
London, Monument Flexible Workspace, 7 Harp Lane, EC3R 6DP
Phone us:020 3102 4010
Please email us: enquiries@usandco.com.
For many years, remote workers were looked upon in envy by their traditional office worker counterparts. Shunned for their flexibility and avoidance of the classical working day. Now, in 2021 many of us have experienced what life is like working remotely, though more accurately, we found out what life is like to work from home. Although there are a number of benefits from working from home (WFH), the separation between work and personal life has become increasingly blurred. However, the negatives of working from home cannot be equated to remote working. We need to move beyond the notion that remote work equals “working from home,” the options for how to spend your day are pretty endless.
Coworking day passes revolutionised how the remote working community operate. Remote workers no longer have to resign themselves to finding a “quiet” corner in a café with poor to average internet speed. All they need to do is go online and find the nearest coworking company and book a day pass. For instance, at Us&Co, a day pass gives full access during opening hours to the coworking area, providing a desk, high-speed internet, access to phone booths, and self-service tea stations with bean-to-cup coffee, all for a nominal fee.
Interested in trying out coworking day pass yourself? Get in touch with the Us&Co team to discuss a day pass or membership at our London Monument, London Stratford or Dublin workspaces.
Why use a day pass?
It comes as no surprise that we might be feeling the negative effects of WFH for over a year. Coworking day passes are the solution! Shrug off that feeling of lethargy and start trialling coworking spaces around your area. A great benefit of renting a desk for the day is that it’s like shoe shopping; you try one on until you find one that fits, there’s no commitment. Especially with the reopening of many cafés, you might feel a bit reticent about overcrowding. Us&Co prides itself on being fully COVID-secure, operating social distancing throughout their centres.
How do day passes work?
Day passes couldn’t be simpler! All you need to do is go online to your desired coworking space’s website, book the day you wish to work, and then on the day, announce yourself at reception, and you’re set for the day! Alternatively, call up the coworking space, and their friendly staff will guide you through the booking process over the phone. The only difference between a monthly member and a day pass is that the member has full 24-hour access to the building. Allowing them to come and go as they please. Day passers are limited to the opening hours of the co-working centre.
Who would benefit from using a day pass?
In truth, anyone would benefit from using a day pass. If you are in need of a desk for the day, in a productive work environment among like-minded individuals, then a day pass is for you. Specifically, day passes tend to be used by remote workers and freelancers, though by no means limited to those two groups. Entrepreneurs and small start-ups also avail of coworking day passes, as the small price and non-committal nature of the day pass allow you to carry out your own market research. If you travel a lot for work, coworking spaces can become a second office for some, allowing you to have an office away from the office.
Productivity
If needs be, cafés can be used in-a-pinch, but they’re not the best places to encourage productivity. Coworking spaces strive to provide a work environment that not only facilitates creativity but enhances productivity. Day passes allow you to “plug in” to the productive atmosphere fostered by coworking spaces. Working from your kitchen table for a year not only puts a strain on your back but also on your productivity. Our homes were never intended to be used as offices. You may be surprised to hear, but poor lighting, air quality and lack of temperature control will have a negative impact on your productivity. Us&Co centres were purpose-built for productivity in mind, with lots of natural light, intuitive temperature and airflow regulation.
Cost-Effective
Time is money! You can’t spend half the day searching for that “free” elusive corner that ticks all the “conducive workspace” boxes. Paying a small fee that provides all your requirements for the day is a no-brainer. Coworking day passes exist to make your life easier.
Networking & Collaboration
Working from home for the past year has really highlighted our need for face-to-face interaction. Coworking spaces are a great place to casually network with people in other industries facilitating new organic working relationships. Day passes are a great way to meet like-minded people due to the very nature of coworking spaces. Meeting new people every day tends to incite new streams of thought, opening up new perspectives and ideas, which in turn motivates productivity.
Interested in a day pass or more?
Experience Us&Co’s professional coworking spaces with a day pass. Why not try our other flexible memberships such as Hot and Fixed desks or rent out meeting rooms in London and Dublin. We pride ourselves on creating a working atmosphere in which budding businesses, SMEs and individuals can thrive and grow.
Our Locations:
– London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road
Phone us: 020 3102 4010 | Email us: enquiries@usandco.com
– London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us:020 3102 4010 | Email us: enquiries@usandco.com
5 Reasons Why COVID-secure Workspaces Are Essential
The simple truth is that the continuing pandemic has altered the way we work for the foreseeable future. Many businesses, taken unawares by the pandemic back in March 2020, were required to have their staff work from home (‘WFH’). A year on, businesses have now permanently implemented a WFH option, seeing it as an opportunity to review rental costs by downsizing and offering more flexible terms to their employees. Nevertheless, even though vaccines are beginning to be rolled out, we are all, in one way or another, contending with the very real effects of the “Silent Pandemic” of professional and social isolation.
Fortunately, when the first lockdown lifted, many serviced office providers implemented measures to make their workspaces COVID secure, thereby offering their members a reprieve from working from home. Us&Co, for instance, have created COVID-secure workspaces without sacrificing their ethos of fostering an environment of privacy while providing a space for natural collaboration.
This article will endeavour to highlight the main reasons why COVID-secure workspaces are essential for the future of work while dispelling any anxieties you might have about returning to the office
1. Hassle-free Luxury
Even though it falls to everyone to maintain COVID security, businesses are generally left carrying the brunt of the responsibility to provide a safe space for their employees. COVID-secure workspaces like Us&Co take that burden away by enhancing their cleaning regime, increasing airflow, and installing hand-sanitiser stations in strategic and convenient locations throughout their centres. Signage is also displayed to direct traffic flow, and furniture has been removed to allow for social distancing. Us&Co also goes one step further by commissioning anti-bacterial fogging (through the use of a similar product employed by the NHS) of all common and breakout areas to ensure its members are safe from the virus when working from their centres.
2.Professional and Social Isolation
Since the increase of remote working, there have been concerns regarding the loneliness that inevitably comes with being separated from your team-mates. These anxieties, however, are now heightened due to the pandemic. Professional isolation is not just a feeling of loneliness; it is a three-headed beast. When WFH, you tend to lose out on key “resources” such as IT or HR help; “opportunities” as you tend to be out of mind when you are out of sight; and arguably most importantly, “development” as you are stuck in your echo chamber, unstimulated by the success of others. Team-engagement relates positively to performance. COVID-secure workspaces like Us&Co nurture informal conversations and shared experiences which, in turn, facilitates team-engagement and decreases feelings of professional and social isolation.
3.Productivity
WFH not only makes our work more challenging by the very fact that our home environments are not conducive to team-engagement but also impacts negatively on our productivity. Needless to say, our homes were not designed for 9-5 office work. Poor lighting, air quality, temperature, and furniture all negatively affect productivity. Workspaces such as Us&Co are designed to enhance and inspire productivity with lots of natural light, intuitive temperature and airflow regulation and comfortable ergonomic chairs.
4.Private meetings rooms
Many co-working brands offer private bookable meeting rooms specially designed to facilitate team engagement. Us&Co have introduced a ½ capacity rule to ensure you can reconnect and work face-to-face with your team while also ensuring COVID safety. Each room is sanitised before and after every use to prevent any transmission. The rooms are also installed with sound-proofing panels to stop your conversation from being overheard. Click here to view our meeting rooms
5.Seamless Connectivity
Co-working spaces have made it a priority to provide their members with a secure, fast internet connection. For instance, Us&Co members have access to super-fast and highly secure Wi-Fi, the cost of which is fully included in the up-front membership fees meaning that members can host HQ video calls with confidence.
Looking for your next flexible workspace?
Us&Co offers professional co-working (hot desks, fixed desks, private offices, meeting rooms and event venue hire) in London Monument, Stratford East London and Dublin, St Stephens Green. We pride ourselves on creating a working atmosphere in which growing businesses, SMEs and individuals can thrive and grow. Get in touch with the Us&Co team today:
London Monument | Co-Working and Offices Space, 7 Harp Lane EC3R 6DP
Phone us: 0203 102 4010
Stratford East London | Co-Working and Offices Space 11 Burford Road E15 2ST
Phone us:0203 102 4010
Why use the tube when you can cycle to work!?
Why use the tube when you can cycle to work!?
Over the past few years, we have seen an exponential increase in the number of commuters cycling to work. Since restrictions were put in place on public transport at the start of the pandemic, there has been a significant rise in cyclists across the capital.
Many commuters were apprehensive and intimidated about the dangers of cycling on busy multi-lane highways. However, life for a cyclist is now a calmer one with new and improved cycle-lanes. Cycle-superhighways and quiet-ways have connected all four corners of London, making it easier and vastly safer to navigate through London’s busy city centre.
TFL are continuing to create safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists alike in their most recent Streetspace scheme. This new scheme endeavours to help manage the pandemic by creating more cycle lanes and broader pavements so that commuters can maintain social distancing. For instance, in the City of London around many of our centres, roads from Holborn to Aldgate are seeing significant cycling improvements. Our centres are now easily accessible by bike because of these new developments with several quiet-ways and cycle superhighways situated right on our centre’s doorsteps.
You might be thinking, “This is all well and good, but what if I don’t own a bike?” The answer is a simple one; hire a bike using the Bike Sharing Scheme! There are two different versions of bike hire across London, the docking station and the dockless bike scheme.
Here are a few examples:
Santander Cycles are the original, official London bike hire scheme operated by TFL. This scheme has been operational since 2010 and offers over 11,500 bikes with over 750 docking stations across London with several docking stations in walking distance of our centres. Hiring a Santander Cycle costs only £2 for unlimited journeys for up 30 minutes. All you need to do is either download the app or go to a docking station terminal with your bank card, and off you go when you finish your journey, alight from the bike and dock it into the nearest docking station at your destination.
Mobike arrived in the London Market in 2017 and operates under a station-free system. To use Mobike’s service, download the app, find the nearest bike to you, scan the QR code, and you’re away. The app runs on a top-up system, and ‘pay-as-you-go’ rides calculated depending on the amount of time you ride. The simplicity of dockless bike hires is that you can lock your bike anywhere. Just slide the lock across the bike and wait for the app to acknowledge that you have ended your trip.
Jump, formerly part of Uber, now recently acquired by Lime is back on the streets of London. An electrically assisted bike known as pedelecs; these bikes will take most of the burden off your legs. For now, Jump still has the ease of use of being a part of Uber’s app. As most Londoners will already have the Uber app downloaded, all you need to do is switch from ‘Trip’ to ‘Bike’ to find the nearest available bike. Again, to unlock the bike, scan the QR code. Jump also has the feature of reserving a bike for 30 minutes, which no other bike hire app offers. However, Jump is one of the pricier options with a cost of £1 to unlock and 15p for every minute thereafter.
The bike-sharing scheme is excellent for those who live in the City or commute by train into a mainline station. It can be a cost-effective way of getting around while keeping physically and mentally healthy. Not only does cycling have significant benefits to our mental health, but it is also a great way to avoid transmitting COVID-19 on public transport as you will now no longer have to be wary of overcrowding on tubes.
Get in touch with Us&Co today:
London Stratford Flexible Workspace, 11 Burford Road
Phone us: 020 3102 4010
Please email us: enquiries@usandco.com.
London Monument Flexible Workspace, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us:020 3102 4010
Please email us: enquiries@usandco.com.
Flexible Office Memberships
Us&Co are now offering Flexible Office Memberships– flexible solutions adapted to the new ways of working. If you and your team will only be using the office for a set number of days why pay for a full-time office agreement? With our Flexible Office Membership, you only pay for the days you use.
The same goes for the size of the office- if your staff will attend the office and work from home on alternate days, downsize to a smaller private office suitable for your needs but still retain the same number of team members who have access to the office.
While home working is not a new trend, there has been an exponential increase in 2020, due to the global pandemic. The past several months have compelled businesses to evaluate their office costs with many contemplating the necessity of having an office space at all. Though we will see large and small companies, decentralising their base of operations and incorporating remote working into company practices, the majority of businesses will need to maintain some form of centralised office space. According to a survey carried out by Hubble HQ of 1,000 employees from various companies, 70% said they had a positive experience working from home, but 71% of those surveyed believed their company should retain an office space of some sort.
Nevertheless, with restrictions still in place for the medium term and with greater percentages of team members working from home, the way offices are used will change. Companies which are splitting their teams and placing them on rotation throughout the week may be left with an office space unnecessarily large and costly for their needs. Serviced office providers like Us&Co are creating solutions for companies in these situations. Working in the office on alternate days, you can take a five person office and Us&Co will issue you ten access passes or one hundred passes if you take a large fifty-person office. Us&Co’s Flexible Office Membership can help businesses cut rental costs in half and still allow them to have an office presence.
Us&Co prides itself on tailored solutions. The flexibility of this membership can be adapted to the specific needs of each company. For instance, if you need an office one day a week, you only pay for that day. If you require three days per week or even a week per month, Us&Co can adjust the plan to suit your requirements. With Us&Co’s Flexible Office Membership, you no longer have to worry about the cost of an unused office, you pay for the space you use on the days that you need it.
Us&Co provides an all-inclusive solution without a long-term commitment – a membership can be just three months. You avoid the need for capex and the hassle of setting up and managing an office: ordering office furniture, organising a cleaning service, sourcing and paying suppliers, managing the Wi-Fi and providing refreshments for employees – it’s all done for you. The offices have been fully equipped to be Covid19-secure and members benefit from spacious break-out spaces and meeting rooms which are available for hire as needed. Us&Co allows companies to try out their new ways of working without potentially abortive expenditure and commitment.
Get in touch with Us&Co today:
London Stratford co-working space, 11 Burford Road
Phone us: 020 3102 4010
Email us: enquiries@usandco.com
London Monument co-working space, 7 Harp Lane
Phone us:020 3102 4010
Email us: enquiries@usandco.com