1. Going for comfort!– Feeling a long day at the office, as the winter draws in? Well hey: you may as well make it as cosy as you can whilst you’re there… Give your space a little makeover, playing around with different textiles and cushions. It’ll make your co-workers longing for yours!

Image from Ikea: http://www.ikea.com

2. Grab a bulletin board and fill it with pictures that inspire you!- Family, friends, dream home, holiday destinations, goals, to do lists, the lot! The more, the merrier; the bigger, the better… So long as it’s not going to leave you day-dreaming all afternoon. We’re adding this to PUSH YOU!

Photo via Habitissimo: https://fotos.habitissimo.com.br/foto/paredes-revestidas-de-cortica_897200

3. Have some fun with wall art- posters, stickers, humorous quotes, the lot! Don’t walk into a room that’s empty; have something there that gives you a little giggle or brightens your day in the morning. Sometimes, it’s the small things that make all the difference.

Photo via Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ie/listing/251821610/humorous-print-maybe-swearing-will-help

4. Epic organisers- A messy desk means a messy mind, or so they say right?! Remove all distractions by getting creative with your desk space. When you have a look around, you’ll actually find heaps of pretty cool options. Which one’s your favourite?

Photo via Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/514677063646031828/?lp=true

5. Let’s make some space- Feeling cramped? Want a little more light and life? We have the perfect solution… And no, this is not an excuse for you to look at yourself (although we’ll all have a cheeky glance right?!)- Instead, these mirrors are going to add some serious reflecting, making the space seem bigger than it actually is!

Photo via Carly Cristman: http://www.carlycristman.com/uncategorized/home-office-and-apartment-decorating-ideas/

6. Go green!– Okay so maybe this is going a little to the extreme, but a few plants/ flowers in the office will do you the world of good… That fresh air circulating in your workspace, taking out all the bad CO2- it’ll help to fuel your brain and bring ideas to life! Clean, fresh and let’s not forget: it gives you an excuse to take a little break to water them!

Photo via GreenTower: http://greentower.info/plants-for-the-office.html

7. Fly into your day- Okay so maybe this is not quite in your office, but wouldn’t it make you excited to get there?! Maybe one to bring up with the boss 😉

Photo via Zingy Homes: http://www.zingyhomes.com/latest-trends/creative-office-space-interior-design-ideas-tips/

Have fun! And remember- if you’re looking for a new office space, we’re here with free, impartial advice and property searching. Feel free to have a look through our properties for some inspiring workspaces – www.loc8commercial.com 

The post Seven Ways to Make Your Office More Inspiring appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

So, what exactly are flexible office spaces?

Essentially they are shared spaces or ‘flexispace’ that has all the basic equipment and infrastructure needed. They have always been popular with start-ups and SME’s due to the flexibility, however, more and more blue-chips are seeing the benefits of flexible spaces. Flexible offices were initially set up so that an employee who usually worked from home or remotely – or has to drive long distances to the company’s main office – can instead work externally for a few hours or days, every week or month. Ideal right?! In fact, Flexible Office space operators have taken the largest amount of sq ft space in London over the last 12-18 months to deal with the demand. It’s going off a storm, and not only improving employee retention within bigger businesses, but proving the ideal and solution for smaller businesses too.

A few of the benefits?…

• Flexible office spaces allow remote working employees to mix up their working week. Instead of being glued to a desk in one place, they have the option to work elsewhere: commuting to the main offices only when necessary. This helps with employee satisfaction, motivation and actually increases efficiency.

• Often flexible working spaces will have different employees from different businesses sharing the same building and in some cases the same office. This can be beneficial, fostering collaborative workplaces and mutually beneficial working relationships with others. No better way to create referrals, right?!

• As mentioned above- flexible office spaces are usually fully equipped premises, giving business owners access to everything they or their employees need, without the logistical and organisational nightmare. It’s fairly hassle free and also provides flexibility in terms of contracts, because unlike standard office renting- flexible spaces don’t have the long-term commitment with set durations or terms. Instead, you can hire the space on a month-by-month basis, with the option to extend for up to two years: depending on how it’s going and what you’re looking for. They can also grow as your company grows, which means they provide peace of mind when you need to downsize. This unique flexibility can allow you to keep control of the costs, which leads us onto the final benefit…

• Another major selling point is the cost-saving. Flexible offices generally have reduced overheads, because most providers include all of the expenses in one fixed monthly fee. Pretty neat, huh? This makes things easier to manage in terms of budgets, proving incredibly effective.

Now it’s important to remember- flexible offices aren’t for everyone. It is still a relatively new concept and success may depend on the nature of the business, the company culture, management set up and of course: the employee themselves. Some employees need greater management, can feel a little disconnected from the business and may struggle to stay disciplined, focused and of course- not get distracted! The way to make it work for big companies? Well-structured arrangements, clearly clarified expectations, strong communication and regular targets/ tasks/ goals to work towards.

If flexible working is part of your company culture or potentially suitable for the stage your business is in, flexible office spaces work hand-in-hand to provide the ideal solution.

Will they take over traditional offices? We don’t think so, not entirely…

But they are becoming evermore popular- and with good reason! A number of traditional landlords are now also including flexible workspace within their offering, as they understand that some clients’ businesses are seasonal and may have larger teams for short periods when working on specific projects.

Got a question regarding work spaces? We’re here 24/7 offering FREE impartial advice.

Reach out… – https://loc8commercial.com/page/details/about-us

The post Are Flexible Offices The Future of Work? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

As well as having some form of physical activity outside of work, office workers can also make some small changes to their daily behaviour to gain much needed movement.

Integrate walking into your commute

Most office workers don’t have the luxury of living close to their office, therefore walking to work is not always a viable option. If you are using the tube, then aim to walk to the station if it is within a manageable distance and try to get off one stop earlier, to gain a short walk. You should find your working day is more productive.

Avoid lifts and escalators

It can be a difficult habit to break out of if you have become accustomed to using lifts and escalators at work but opt to use the stairs instead. You may feel it is pointless but every step counts as your body is benefitting from the valuable movement. Getting your blood flowing during your working day is vital.

Get your own coffee

Instead of getting someone else to get your coffee, tea or smoothie for you; take the initiative to get up and get it yourself. It will provide you with a short burst of fresh air.

Get up every hour

Instead of sitting at your desk for a long period of time, attempt to get away from your desk every hour. This doesn’t mean going outside to take a long walk, simply stroll around the office or go and get a glass of water to hydrate yourself.

Use your lunch hour

Instead of eating or working through lunch at your desk, use the opportunity to be active. Going for a short or long walk will not only clear your mind from any work-related stress but give you time to re-energise for the afternoon. Additionally, organise a group of colleagues to go on a walk with.

Do Chair exercise at your desk

You’ve been wanting to tone your arms for the summer, why not start in the office? When you need a break, do a few reps of chair sits. You can even alternate between chair exercises and push ups!

Fidget when you work

Small movements and quick exercise breaks add up, especially in a sedentary work place, so challenge yourself to stand, stretch or even tap a foot to bring motion into otherwise still parts of your day. Just remember to keep it professional!

Get a ball

When you are sitting, swap your desk chair for an exercise ball for 20-30 minute spurts. While a chair does all the work for you, an exercise ball requires core strength to retain your posture and balance, resulting in a contribution to your muscle tone of your core, hip and leg muscles.

Take walking meetings

Anytime you have a phone call or an in-person meeting that doesn’t require the use of a computer, you should make a point to turn it into a walking meeting. Or even just pace up and down while on the phone or on a conference call.

What are your favourite ways to stay active during your 9-5?

The post Nine ways to be active during the working day appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Melbourne Server Hosting

If you are looking for ways to differentiate a typical office floor, why not stick a library room in the middle? All of sudden, office meetings feel more like the start of a murder mystery tale set in an English manor house.

Couchsurfing

Living up to its name and business, Couchsurfing’s office space is seriously cool and laid back. Looking more like a teenager’s basement than the office space of a global business, Couchsurfing employees enjoy sofas, swings and plenty of open space.

Inventionland Design Factory

This office is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. This office is designed with 15 different sets, ranging from pirate ships, race tracks, faux caves, red carpet walkways, a castle and a giant robot. Not only does the space have fun, creative decor, but the facility also has a state-of-the-art sound/video/animation studio and fully-equipped workshops for creating working prototypes of inventions.

Dropbox

The mission of the popular file hosting and sharing platform Dropbox is to make it easy for people to work comfortably from anywhere. So when it came time to design office space, Dropbox wanted the space to do the same thing. It’s an office that Dropbox likens to a city plaza: a mixture of public and semiprivate spaces that encourage workers to find their own personal bliss.

The post 4 of the coolest offices in the world appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

After noticing a gap in the market for a social media marketing agency for SME’s, I launched The Social Shop late in 2013 after spending 8 years working my way up recruiting for the marketing and advertising agency sector.

Knowing I had 3 month’s wages in the bank to support me whilst I got the company off the ground, my first aim was to make sure I could cover my mortgage. I did what I knew best and used LinkedIn as a new business platform; luckily my first client came in the shape of a well-known restaurant in Camden. 

As one client turned into two, then five and then ten, I had to make a decision on an office. My overheads had to increase and in order to be taken seriously, I needed an office space. I moved into a space that my first client owned which was helpful as I didn’t have a clue where to find available office spaces! This first space in Camden was great as I was working alone. However, as I hired my first employee and my client base was growing, I needed to move somewhere neutral so all of our clients were treated equally. 

I was paying a lot for this space but had nothing else to compare it to, the 3 month notice period also didn’t seem a problem when I signed up. I quickly realised that as my cash-flow was forever up and down, being tied down to a contract with anyone was a commitment and I couldn’t stick to it for too much longer.  Therefore, we went from our own office space to a co-working incubator in Camden by a start-up called ‘Work.Life’. https://work.life/ 

‘Work.life’ was great; We were one of the first businesses to move into their first office. We were suddenly in a creative working environment with others in similar industries which was quite motivating. In addition, this space came with free tea, coffee and biscuits! Those that know me know I like to eat a lot of biscuits and drink a lot of tea, so the saving alone was fantastic!

We had access to free talks, events and were networking with new companies on a daily basis. However, I slowly realised the flexible work space in London was becoming hugely popular and there were other options that were not only more affordable, but more accessible than Camden. We were only there for 6 months but it supported 5 of us including interns. We met lots of SME’s that were in the same situation as us and the flexibility of being able to cancel our contract with 4 weeks’ notice was great.

We were very close to moving into Work.Life’s second office, a new space in London Fields, Hackney, as this was closer to where I lived. However, the desk cost was the same and contract restrictions were the same which wasn’t beneficial.

Whilst I was looking for a new flexible working space, I attended a networking event at a small incubator in Old Street which had a big personality; It was called ‘Launch 22’ based in Corsham Street. http://www.launch22.co.uk/

This place was just as cool, albeit with less capacity and free biscuits. However, it was slightly more affordable and in the heart of Tech City; A location that adds a huge amount of value to our credibility. Launch22 is a registered charity with 2 branches in Liverpool and London. Since joining we have become part of the family, a group of small businesses looking to grow with free mentorship and support from the large network of people associated with the incubator. The best thing about Launch22 for us is that we can cancel our monthly rolling contract anytime with 1 weeks’ notice. Being a small company, things can change for us on a monthly basis so this level of flexibility being in the heart of the city is awesome!

I have seen the pop up of many new but more expensive flexible workspaces around me over the past few years. I now understand there are office brokers like Loc8 Commercial, who are the best people to speak to about finding a suitable office space for your business. Speaking to office brokers reduces the timeframe and personal stress of finding somewhere new. Loc8 provide a free and impartial overview of the market and is very helpful in the way that they can give us new options that we may not have known previously. Add to the fact they gave us an insight into the workspace industry then it’s a win win.

If we were currently looking to move offices we would want to view the following 3 options from looking at Loc8’s website:  

Serviced Office to let: Curtain Road, London

https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1682/curtain-road-london-ec2a

Serviced Office to let: Westland Place, London

https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1493/westland-place-london-n1

Serviced Office to let: White Lion Street,

https://loc8commercial.com/office/serviced-office-to-let/1033/white-lion-street-london-n1

The post Guest Blog: Why we chose to work in a flexible workspace appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

At Loc8 Commercial, we know offices and have compiled a collection of office images giving an insight into how far office design has come.

Office Design in 1950s

Large heavy filing cabinets filled with paperwork could be seen as large pieces of furniture taking up space in small workspaces. It was common to find two people sharing a desk with an interior that consisted of chunky desks, carpet flooring, the odd picture on the wall and cream coloured décor.

Office Design in 1960s

The rise of G-Plan furniture in the home and office allowed workspaces to become more colourful, playful and contemporary. Offices moved from carpets to wooden floors with slightly more comfortable chairs. Desks were designed to allow easier cleaning in and around the workspaces. Large filing cabinets were still popular but the rise of personal desk storage and filing meant workers had more freedom and trust.

Office Design in 1970s

Major office developments in the 70s included wall colours and personal workstations.  Workers had more space to themselves and were often at their desk most of the day using the typewriter. As you can see in this office they have opted to go back to carpets but the desk designs still allowed cleaning to happen easier. Office plants and telephones are the other two new additions to offices in this era. Offices were still full of paperwork and storage cabinets.

Office Design in 1980s

Some would say the best decade to have been alive in. As you can see the 80s didn’t really deliver on office design innovation. The introduction of personal computers on each desk along with more ergonomic chairs and slightly more private working spaces summed up this era. Personal storage space was important and workers often brought in photos of their friends and family which were left in the office. People had their own desks which allowed for personalisation. Due to the increase of technology, offices were full of wires and health & safety began to creep into people’s conscience. Orange chairs were very trendy during this time!

Office Design in 1990s

Not much changed in the 90s, computers were still big and heavy taking up a large amounts of space on a desk. Telephones, keyboards, mobile phones and integrated personal storage in desks with the odd plant, photocopier, fax machine and more wires oh and along with very unstylish carpet sums up the 90s work environment.

Office Design in 2000s

Computers became thinner and more light weight taking up less desk space. Mobile phones were smaller and emails were the main form of communication meaning less paperwork for the first time. Offices became slightly more casual with people hanging their personal items on the backs of their chairs. Chairs were more ergonomic as people become more body and health conscious. Exposed brick walls became popular adding character and style along with white boards and artwork decorating the walls. Wood flooring proved to be more hardwearing and became the number one choice of office flooring.

Office Design in 2010s

Creative, casual, fun, engaging, colourful, interactive, inspiring, comfortable office environments can we found in every city across the country. Furniture that doesn’t match or is upcycled has become cool and contrasting colours are the norm. Break out spaces where employees can work or play are expected with laptops allowing people to work wirelessly from anywhere with access to food and drink on tap. The integration of plug sockets in the floor, walls, ceilings and sofa’s mean people can charge their phones and computers anywhere whilst hot desking. Having a fixed formal desk and workspace is seen as old fashioned. If you’re working in a coworking space then it is likely you will be working next to someone from a completely different company with clients in a completely different time zone.

If your looking for a modern, inspiring office solution then give us a call on 020 3031 8563 or search via our website https://loc8commercial.com

The post How Office design has changed over the years appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

Sitting in an office chair for between 4-8 hours a day can definitely cause low back pain or worsen any existing back problem. The main reason behind this is that sitting, in an office chair or in general, is a static posture that increases stress in the back, shoulders, arms, and legs, and can add pressure to the back muscles

A few simple tips to implement today include:

• Push your hips as far back as they can go in the chair.
• Adjust the seat height so your feet are flat on the floor and your knees equal to, or slightly lower than, your hips.
• Adjust the back of the chair to a 100°-110° reclined angle.Make sure your upper and lower back are supported. Use inflatable cushions or small pillows if necessary. If you have an active back mechanism on your chair, use it to make frequent position changes.
• Adjust the armrests (if fitted) so that your shoulders are relaxed.If your armrests are in the way, remove them.

Many of us have sat on our sofa’s at home for hours on end without any problems over the years so why does it matter sitting on the right chair at work?  On average we will work at 5 different companies in our work lifetime.  Each office will have a different culture, lighting, desk size, computer, chair and expectations that all take a toll on your mental and physical ability.

Whether you are starting your first job at 18 years old or close to retiring this article applies to everyone. As we know our bodies are all different so if one person doesn’t suffer any ergonomic issues in your office it doesn’t mean you won’t.

We spend the majority of our time at work or behind a desk so it’s important to look after yourself.  The media have made us realise the importance of eating well at work and if we don’t take a lunch break then to make sure we eat well at our desk.  Historically you would have taken an hour’s lunch break but with the ever growing trend of eating at your desk you are spending on average an extra 5 hours a week sitting down eating.

Even at the point of writing this blog we are fully aware we aren’t sitting in the right position and are 100% guilty of making the above mistakes.  Ask yourself a simple question today.  Do I sit like the ergonomic images suggest?  If not what can I do to make a small change?

Other factors that contribute to an incorrect position are computer height, keyword access, foot rests, screen glare, heat from computers, food, home environment and more.

Loc8 Commercial are by no means health or body experts but as we are experts in helping you find the right office space, we also want to take responsibility in making sure you are comfortable in your new office which starts with the chair.

Please feel free to contact our team to discuss any requirements you have or take a look at our website www.loc8commercial.com

The post Office Chair: How to Reduce Back Pain? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.

But what are the key things to consider before you commit to that nice new office you just looked at? Well before we go any further we’d suggest doing your homework before you even take a look inside an office location. You could just be wasting your valuable time if you haven’t defined what is important to your business.

So what are the top office shopping list items you should tick off before you make that big office move?

Here is our serviced office space shopping list priority top six:

1. Size Matters

One of the biggest benefits of serviced offices are that they can grow with your business. In the good times and not so good times, a serviced office can flex with the success of your business. It’s this ultimate flexibility that makes them such a good bet for a new or expanding business. In these uncertain times after the EU referendum, flexibility is going to be vital to ensure you don’t over commit to long leases.

2. A Great Chair

Many people will tell you (and you’ve probably experienced it too) that a good chair pays dividends when it comes to employee well-being. We’ve all sat on hard and uncomfortable chairs over the years. Posture is highly important for people sat at a desk for eight hours every day. So a really great chair with excellent lumber support is a must. Test them out when you take a tour of any office space. Road testing the space should be a high priority. After all you could be working there. So it should be comfortable for you and your employees.

3. Water Cooler Moments

It’s great to have an open plan office but some thought should be given to spaces that promote team interaction. We’ve all heard the typical examples of the meetings around the water cooler so try and create spaces for people to meet. A kitchen to make beverages or some soft seating creates spaces where employees can make calls and catch up with colleagues. However, it’s not always possible to have these areas in an office for just three or four people so make sure there are similar spaces located in the serviced office centre.

4. How good is the Broadband?

We’re all connected 24/7 these days so it’s easy to just expect everywhere to provide good Wi-Fi or connected broadband. If you are a creative business upload speeds could be an important consideration so make sure you ask about bandwidth limits and charges for additional bandwidth. You certainly don’t want any unexpected surprises when you move in.

5. Journey times

Who wants an overly long commute? In these days when flexibility in the workplace is an important consideration for people taking a job one of the vital things to consider when looking at office locations are the local transport links. The more options the better really. For example, if you look at Bank in the City of London, it boasts several mainline train stations within a ten minute walk, the Docklands Light Railway linking the area to Canary Wharf and the City Airport, five Tube lines and half a dozen bus services. It’s one of the reasons this location is highly desirable.

So check what’s available at the offices on your shortlist. We can advise you and you can always ask at each location. Some may even have car parks, but always ask if this is included or an additional charge.

6. What’s for lunch?

It’s easy to think there will be somewhere close by to get lunch or even a local bar for after-work drinks. We would always suggest looking at the amenities in the local area. Some office locations have their own cafes and even a “sandwich man” or sandwich lady”. Never under estimate the many benefits that a choice of local shops, supermarkets and cafe’s provide for your employees.

This is just six of many things to consider. We could go on but our “office shopping list” will provide you with everything you need when you look at your next office. It’s also good if it’s your first office space too.

Download our SERVICED OFFICE CHECKLIST MARCH 2016

The post What should be on your Office Space Shopping List? appeared first on Loc8 Commercial Blog.