The key to a successful company is making sure that collaboration is made a priority. Some of the most famous companies in the world such as Google and Facebook are designed to be collaborative. As a matter of fact, it is not hard to realize why this is the case. More and more people praise collaborative workspace designs for having an overflow of creativity and high productivity levels. Of course, an open workspace has its drawbacks from time to time due to the constant distractions and so-called creativity killers. Thankfully, here are a few helpful ways how to eliminate distractions and boost creativity.
1. Practice mindfulness at work
Stress is said to be the number one culprit when it comes to creativity killers. Of course, everyone deals with a bit of stress now and then, so it is important to learn how to manage it. One of the best ways to manage stress is the practice of regular meditation. Not only does meditation help in being more mindful and aware of the surroundings, but it is also a great way to calm the mind and help with focus. Because of this, it is important to incorporate a bit of meditation into the work area. A great option would be to consider mindfulness programs to boost productivity. Better yet, try investing in a company gym membership, where the employees can go to for a quick workout. Not only will a short workout help with overall health, but it is certain that the employee will be more motivated to finish the assigned tasks.
2. Create a space for brainstorming
Frequently, companies lack an area that is solely meant for brainstorming and capturing ideas or thoughts. One of the best ways to fix this issue is to get a board or another writable surface for all the spontaneous bursts of creativity. This is certainly an idea that most workers will highly appreciate and find useful. By creating a space or place for writing down ideas, everyone in the workplace will feel more engaged and open to share and discuss important matters. Workers can add as many bullet points as they want, ask questions, make assumptions and find smart solutions.
3. Deal with noise
Another frequent productivity killer is being exposed to constant noises and other distractions. Of course, it is not an easy task to focus on doing your job when your coworker next to you is non-stop on the phone. To solve this issue of noise generated distractions, it is important to find ways to deal with the acoustics. One way to fix the problem is to dampen the sound with technology. Nevertheless, this method is not always the best choice to go with, because some areas, like for example, an eating area is highly unlikely to need such drastic measures. Nevertheless, incorporating sound dampening technologies is great for desktop or shared areas. For instance, phone calls can be made without distracting other workers. Better yet, try investing in Screenflex portable room dividers, which will create a more peaceful and work-friendly environment. These room dividers are great at absorbing sound, as well as being convenient. Alternatively, create so-called quiet zones for the workers to retreat to if they need some alone time to complete the assigned task.
4. Let the workers choose where they work
It is suggested that workers who are given the option to choose where they want to set up their working area are happier than the ones who are already placed. Not only will workers who choose their own working area be more productive, but they will be more likely to be engaged with other coworkers. To make sure everything goes smoothly, it is important to encourage flexibility at work. Another great idea to improve productivity is to let the employees work from home once (or twice) a week. This will result in happier workers, which equals better ideas and better results. Of course, nothing is worse than an employee who is constantly dissatisfied with their place in the office. Dissatisfaction and bad energy can lead to conflict in the workplace, so it is encouraged to let the workers have a say in choosing where to sit.In summary, collaborative space designs are getting more and more popular, and for good reasons. Not only does a collaborative workplace boost productivity levels, but it brings together a skilled group of people full of innovative ideas. By eliminating distractions and boosting creativity, more positive things are likely to happen in a collaborative workspace.
