Behind every great business is a great team, and companies are more likely to fail if they don’t support their team through challenges and changes. No matter what your role is in your team, it’s imperative to support them and create a workplace environment that makes everyone feel valued. Following these steps can help create a positive work environment that allows for productivity, efficiency, and boosts morale.

 Technological Advances Allow the Flexibility of Working From Home

 With the widespread use of technology, companies of all sizes are increasingly comfortable with the idea of their employees working remotely. Although this has been an upward trend in recent years, the Covid-19 pandemic fast-tracked this during the lock-down in 2020 and 2021 as people quickly learned how to work from home. Advancements of technology has allowed employees from all industries to work from anywhere. However, many professionals found that working from home during the pandemic proved to be a challenge because they didn’t have a dedicated work area or the right technology like a home office or strong WiFi. According to a survey by WhistleOut, 35% of people said that weak internet had prevented them from doing their work at some point in the pandemic.

 Where companies were once concerned about the potential drawbacks of working remotely, they’re now seeing new opportunities and innovative solutions. One of which is shared workspace, like e|spaces, that allows employees to come and go. It’s a more flexible alternative to a traditional office space and makes it easier for employees to maintain a hybrid model—working remotely when they desire but having the option of a professional, distraction-free workspace when they need it. Thanks to advancements in technology, flexible working is now more popular than ever.

The Importance of Work/Life Balance

 Work flexibility has been shown to improve employee’s work/life balance. According to a survey by The Neilson Company, 73% of people said that working remotely has given them more freedom and flexibility to live a lifestyle that best suits their needs. The main reason why workers are more productive working at home because it’s easier for them to manage their personal responsibilities in addition to less drive time. People can create their own schedules that best work for them. However, not everyone benefits from only working remotely. The Neilson study noted that, “Those workers who feel they are less productive working from home cite the many distractions of home life, including caring for children, pets and the elderly.” Furthermore, some people are less productive because they do not have a dedicated work or office space in their homes.

Give your team the option of working remotely or in a professional setting. The goal for any business is to make sure that your team is as productive as possible. Everyone is different so it’s important to provide them with different options that best work for them. Hybrid work settings have become more popular because the flexibility improves work/life balance as it can be catered to the individual which boosts morale and productivity. To reduce real-estate space and related expenses, some companies are moving away from traditional hours and office spaces to more open spaces and flexible working arrangements. It’s a centralized team location without all of the costs. Consider a shared workspace to improve productivity. Workspaces like e|spaces are also open 24/7 which allows for people to work around their daily lives and create their own schedule.

Communication is Key

 Technology has changed the way that people communicate in the modern workplace. The arrival of smartphones, social networking sites, and chat apps has brought communication to a new level. It’s important to take advantage of these new technologies and always keep an open channel of communication. Communication among employees and teams has become faster, instantaneous, more deliberate, collaborative, and unified.

These new tools of communication allow you to check in and make sure everyone is on the same page. However, you should always think before you press send. Communicating through technologies can sometimes lead to miscommunication because unlike face-to-face, you can’t always read the tone of a message. Timing and tone can make all of the difference. It’s important to think about the messages you send to your team and consider the best channel for it to be received, “Would this be a better conversation over the phone, or can an email do the job?” So, take a moment and consider the best way to talk with your team.

Create opportunities to Help Employees Stay Connected

 Although working from home allows for more flexibility, many people have reported that they miss the connections made from working in an office. Even with remote working, you can still create digital events that allow your employees to socialize. Consider a visual happy hour or check-in meeting so that employees can communicate with one another aside from just talking about work. Creating an environment for “face-to-face” interactions can also improve morale and your business. Communication allows for people to bounce ideas off each other, creating a more creative and efficient business.

As things are opening back up following the pandemic, the workplace has become a far more social place. Shared workspaces often host social events that allow for employees to not only connect with each other but also network with others outside of their team. For example, e|spaces offers free breakfast on Mondays and Happy Hours on Thursdays that provide a great place to socialize and network with people.

Importance of Support and Showing Appreciation

 To help your business flourish, you must aim to motivate your team and help them develop both passion and loyalty to the company. When business is booming and everyone is busy, it can be hard to remember to show appreciation and check in with your team members. If you want to be an effective leader, you need to support your team and create a positive work environment.

You should regularly check in with your team to offer support and guidance when needed. However, don’t make the mistake of only checking in when someone is struggling with a project. Many team leaders can be guilty of only providing negative feedback. Positive feedback can go a long way in boosting morale and motivation. It’s also important to highlight achievements and say thank you. People always remember the way you make them feel. Acknowledging their accomplishments will make them feel valued and can greatly boost their confidence. By doing so, they will be more likely to push themselves harder to stand out.

Sometimes the difference between a successful business and one that isn’t successful is how your team and employees feel at work. That’s why you should always do what you can to support those around you. Communication is key whether it be praising someone for their accomplishments or simply saying thank you. It’s also important to adapt to the modern workplace and allow your team to work in a way that’s best for them. These are steps that you can take to support your team members and create a flourishing business.

Schedule a tour at your nearest e|spaces location today and see what a shared office space can accomplish for you and your team.

In the meantime, check out these great e|spaces features:

Dedicated Offices

Pictured above, member Fletcher Marketing PR enjoys the privacy of a dedicated office at e|spaces Knoxville. Our private offices are furnished, provide 24/7 access, and include tons of all-inclusive amenities. If you’re seeking your own, personal space, a private office is a great fit and can accommodate one person or various-sized teams.

Meeting Rooms

In the image above, team members take advantage of a meeting room at e|spaces Chattanooga. Meeting rooms can be rented by the hour with or without an e|spaces membership and can accommodate up to 25 people. All meeting rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs with AV hookups and AirPlay technology and white boards.

Collaborative Space

The café and collaborative space at e|spaces Orlando, pictured above, offers affordability and flexibility. Members can choose which collaborative workspace they’d like to work from—and still take advantage of all of e|spaces ample amenities. All collaborative work areas feature an adjustable desk and ergonomic chair with access to strong WiFi and beautiful, natural light.