virtual office manila Archives - Page 6 of 6

How Office Design Has Changed Over the Years

What are the major movements in office design that lead up to current design approaches to a typical Coworking Space here in Manila?

The birth of the office and its manufacturing industry influence
Establishment of midcentury aesthetic and introduction of the diverse thematic and cross continental schools of thought
Booming of Late 20th century electronic advancements and shifts in corporate culture
Current trends paralleling to science, technology, and cultural millennialism.

Throughout ancient history, offices have always existed in many invariable yet paradigmatic forms. Since the zenith peak of the Roman Empire, record storage and venues for organized bureaucratic affairs were planned and constructed with their own specified architectural attributes. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the world saw the birth of standard office design structures as an essential fixture in the increasingly interconnected global exchange procedures.

Managerial tasks take their shape within office parameters; optimized working conditions for productivity and efficiency in coordination to operative task distribution are top priority in making decisions towards workplace arrangements and interior design.

The entire span between 20th and 21st century saw many significant milestones in office design. Advancements in technology and professional business interplay dynamics dictated the tides of change. When in search for Manila Office Spaces for Rent, it would be a great advantage in work appropriation to have a knowledgeable grasp on how and why office spaces evolved throughout the century. In order to better understand the seismic shifts that took place, here’s a look back at the key periods that incrementally and substantially shaped office interior design:

EARLY PERIOD

How Office Design Has Changed Over the Years — Bookkeeping office in 1933

Beginning in the early 1900s and stretching out to the 1930s, pure office spaces began to take form. The origins of the office workplace stem from the developing causal demands of the militant manufacturing industry during this period. Staff numbers increase and space is beginning to be specifically designed in certain ways to fit maximal efficiency. The application of telephone systems for business purposes put more and more people behind office desks.

The movement of Taylorism (1904) essentially emulated the working elements of a factory. American engineer, Frederick Taylor developed the system to also critically have exclusive office rooms for bosses to overlook employees in their work stations.

Taylor’s invented structure became the business standard and extended to government firms. Following this, the European Modern Movement (1920s) incited European adaptation to American style, and also constructed the initial miniature skyscrapers specific for were beginning to emerge. Finally, the Streamlined Office (1930s) introduced and sparked a more encouraging and transitional approach towards office interaction.

MIDDLE PERIOD

Moving with the 1950s, Midcentury Modern furniture units saw the dawn of collaboration. Stylistic arrangements sought for more natural grouping schemes of desks and office furniture that encourage combined efforts –organic partitions, with air conditioning and fluorescent lighting as finishing staples.

Corporate America (1950s) delineated Modern movements in architecture that highly depended on steel and glass, leading innovators in New York pioneered a completely controlled hold on even the most minute of details, such as room temperature. Elaborate lighting systems heralded natural light as an unnecessary element in office space.

In Germany, the Schnelle brothers’ Bürolandschaft (1960) ideology of the ‘office landscape’ beckoned large but structurally cohesive spaces that bases off an open plan layout that still strategically allocates appropriated areas, often times with the help of plants. Bürolandschaft takes influence on a more ‘nuanced’ continental understanding of human relations then that of Taylorism.

The Action I & II (1960s) schemata was aesthetically derived from the prominence of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Three light interlocking portable walls established stations that reinforced communication and saturated small co-working spaces, this would later on influence the notorious Cubicle Farms of the 1980s.

The European Structuralist Office (1960s-1970s) had more of an anthropologic take on human working grounds, the structure adapted that of a culturally organic “working village”; instilling a sense of community without displacement through its arrangement of an organizational grid.

Towards the end of the decade, the 1970s wave of Continental European Offices as well as British and American Offices saw dominant rejections of the Bürolandschaft approach, workers were yearning for smaller groups, secluded stations, and more private areas.

LATE TO CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

The 1980s took a gastronomic change in office design interplay. The widely known Cubicle Farm was born, more private spaces were the imposed infrastructures for focus and aided productivity. Simultaneously, the first desktop computers were being utilized and laser printers were in every office corner. Towards the 90s the World Wide Web was beginning to plant its roots.
From the 1990s, 2000s and today’s world, corporate culture, resurgence on more social and collaborative endeavors for success. The rapidly evolving technological facilities conjoined more hot-desking and emphasized more multi-purpose meeting spaces. Health and well-being are given more recognized importance in the vast land of Virtual Office spaces.

Current Trends and Future Speculations

When thinking about the future of office design, it’s almost the same as playing through science fiction thought experiments. The possibilities on how holograms and other almost cartoonish developments can fit into the office dynamic are become more and more not so far-out.

The New Open-Plan Office takes down all the literal walls of past approaches and embraces more blatant looseness. The Creative Office goes free for all in terms of including many leisure devices such as arcade games and various entertainment machines. The productive benefits of The Agile Office also attribute themselves from the worker’s freedom of having no designated space.

Casual offices are becoming the norm in office designing. When thinking of the contrasting schools of thought in office design, keep in mind that these approaches mainly vary in the context of ‘humanizing’ principles of design; whether their open, enclosed cubicles, or professional neighborhoods.

Key Takeaway

When it boils right down to a rooted perspective Manila Office Spaces for Rent all exude a distinct type of mood. It’s up to potential tenants whether or not the space would cater to their work demands. The structural pillars office design elicits the overall morale of the workers. So take note of this article the next time you find yourself in search of a Coworking Space around Manila.

Why You Should Do Schoolwork In A Coworking Space In The Philippines

Why should you do schoolwork in a coworking space in the Philippines?

It provides a refreshing ambiance
It encourages collaboration
It’s a community
It doesn’t abide by the “all work no play” mantra
It’s accessible
It has everything you need
It’s affordable

In the Philippines, coworking spaces are all the rage, and for a good reason. It’s a great place for fostering productivity and creating bright ideas, which is why they’ve been attracting throngs of freelancers and entrepreneurs in the recent years. They also serve as an office for rent for Philippine startups or other small businesses.

But the atmosphere of a coworking space is a far cry from your typical office. There’s none of the stiffness and suffocating sensation that sometimes comes with an office. On the contrary, its environment is relaxing and yet still stirs you to focus and be productive — which makes it a perfect place for students as well.

Below are some of the reasons why you should be doing your schoolwork in a coworking space in the Philippines.

It provides a refreshing ambiance

A coworking space’s ambience is almost akin to a café. In fact, the moment you step inside the threshold, the first thing that you’ll probably notice is the aroma of coffee wafting in the air.

A coworking space has an atmosphere that will instantly put you at ease and allow you to focus — a quality that is sometimes absent in coffee shops, since there are times when they can get too crowded, making it arduous for you to do your schoolwork amidst the hustle and bustle.

It encourages collaboration

It’s not always quiet in a coworking space. As the name suggests, a coworking space is all about sharing—more than just a sharing of physical space, it’s also about the exchange of ideas and thoughts.

Sure, you can do your schoolwork individually if that’s what you prefer, but there’s a limit to the knowledge that you can cultivate on your own, with only your books and the internet at your disposal. It’s a good idea to collaborate with others to maximize productivity once in a while!

In a coworking space, you can bring your classmates and discuss complex lessonsor even brainstorm your next project. A difficult task to do in a library that’s too quiet and in a canteen that’s too noisy, but very doable in a coworking space!

It’s a community

It’s a community vibrating with energy and ideas. It grants you the privacy that you’ll need to focus, but without the isolation that working at home or settling in a glum corner in a library gives you.

Furthermore, in a coworking space in the Philippines, you’re sure to meet tons of other people, whether it be freelancers, entrepreneurs, professionals, or fellow students. It’s a splendid way of meeting new people and building your network early on.

It doesn’t abide by the “all work no play” mantra

Let’s face it, “All work no play” is unhealthy and stifling. It may seem like a good idea at first, but you’re more likely to quickly be drained and lose enthusiasm for the work you’re doing.

On the contrary, the best thing about coworking spaces is that they promote a balance between life and work, and you’ll easily find a way to relieve your stress and to recharge.

It’s accessible

Most coworking spaces in the Philippines are situated in convenient locations; that is, they’re in close proximity to schools and the metropolis. You’ll have no problem finding a convenient coworking place to study in.

It has everything you need

Coworking spaces have the basic amenities that you’ll need such as coffee, internet, electricity, and water. You want to make sure that you’re studying in a place that will permit you to work without interruption. Nothing’s more stressful than losing the internet connection when you have a paper you urgently have to submit via email!

It’s affordable

Consider the amount you normally spend for the right to sit and study at a cafe. When the coffee’s gone and you’re starting to get annoyed stares but you need more time, it’s likely you’ll order another one. Maybe you’re hungry so you decide to spring for their overpriced food rather than have to move. How many times a week do you do this, and how much do you think you’re spending on all of it?

Compared to all that, a co-working space is the more cost-effective option. For starters, they’re budget-friendly even for students. They also come in packages, and you can choose the system that best suits you. Daily basis? How about monthly? Coworking spaces will address your needs.

Key Takeaway

In the Philippines, coworking spaces have swelled in popularity not just for working individuals. Because they stimulate productivity and focus, as well as encourage collaboration, coworking spaces are also a splendid place for students to do their schoolwork!

3 Important Aspects of Productive Co-working Spaces in the Philippines

Which design aspects can affect productivity?

Lighting
Furnishing
Cleanliness

It is undeniable that the place you work in has an immense impact on the way you work. Your capability to focus and stay in that state, your productivity, and what your outlook on your work is. All of these things are significantly affected by how your workspace is designed. The is why in the Philippines, co-working spaces such as Workplays are all the rage due to their customizable spaces.

According to studies conducted by researchers on workplaces and the corresponding productivity of people, one of the factors that greatly affects an employee’s capability to focus is their immediate office environment. Having stellar internet connection is a given, but here are three other aspects that make a co-working space a good place to work.

Lighting

From a design point of view, placement and types of lighting are extremely important as it sets the mood. In terms of studying or working, it also obviously greatly contributes to a person’s ability to stay focused. However, this is also one of most underrated and often overlooked factors in an office space. Poor lighting can cause eyestrain, headaches, fatigue, and even an overall increase in irritability. Dark spaces are also proven to trigger or start depression in a person.

So, if you are going to work in a co-working space here in the Philippines, find one that has good lighting. The fixtures themselves don’t have to be anything too fancy, but there should at least be a good amount of natural light coming in the room.

Furnishings

Most of us have already experienced sitting at a desk but not being able to wholeheartedly focus on your work because you keep on adjusting, moving, or stretching due to the bothersome desk or chair. In today’s standard work environment where we are sitting for most of the day, the quality of your chair and desk is an important factor for your productivity.

Some of the characteristics of an ergonomic office desk and chair are:

Your feet should be on a foot rest or is able to rest on the floor
A reclining chair is better because it allows your posture to be optimal in terms of reducing pressure on your back and avoiding lower back pain
Your eyes should be 24-36 inches away from the monitor, and the upper part of the monitor should be below or at eye-level

Cleanliness

Yep, this last one relies heavily on you and other clients. A good co-working space must foster a culture wherein cleanliness, mindfulness, and accountability are prioritized. Make sure you adhere to the standards when you bring yourself into such a group.

As with all other areas in one’s life, your workspace should regularly be cleaned. Having a cluttered workspace can possibly help your mind in terms of creativity, but hinders focus and decreases productivity. Always make sure that your papers, files, office paraphernalia are organized and files are easy to reach to maintain your focus and productivity while working. Be mindful to of your coffee mug or glass to avoid accidentally tipping it over and creating a huge mess.

Key Takeaway

An office design can mean the color of the space or the designs around the space, but what’s often overlooked but equally important are the small things. Pay attention to the three aspects above and you’ll soon come to realize how big of a help they actually are!

Virtual Office Philippines: The Impact of the Online World

How significant is the impact made by the online world?

More connections can be made
Portable and Flexible work
Startups have become more apparent
Information is more shareable and receivable
Everything is manageable

The concept of being online has come a long way. Since the inception of the internet, more and more virtual offices in the Philippines have emerged. Numerous businesses rely on them to guarantee an increase in profit, especially when it comes to working from remote places. Needless to say, the online world has definitely made a lasting and profound impact in the corporate world.

There are numerous other causes for support when it comes to discussing the impact of the online world. If you’re looking for more reason to support virtual offices around the Philippines, here are other points to consider:

Being Online Enables More Connections to be Made

One of the most important things to note about being online is that connecting with people has become easier, thus the impact of none other than social media. Thanks to social media, people are able to connect with one another with such ease, especially when it comes to business purposes; and speaking of business, thanks to social media (and the online world in general), numerous businesses are able to establish a wider reach in connections, whether it be with existing customers or target audience.

People Can Work Anywhere

As mentioned before, because of the impact brought on by the online world, numerous virtual offices around the Philippines have made their grand entrances to the corporate world. With it, people aren’t just limited to the confines of their offices, they can work from pretty much anywhere: from their homes, from the café they’re sitting in, or even from the park they’re relaxing in.

Startup Companies Have Gotten their Starts

Startup companies have been made more apparent nowadays thanks to the capabilities of the online world. With it, numerous startup companies have gotten their headstart online: with such notable names like Google, Harley Davidson, and most notably among them, Apple.

When it comes to the Philippines, virtual offices are set up accordingly with the help of a simple Philippine office to rent around the area. Once their name begins to expand, their offices do too, eventually becoming the corporation they desired from the start. All thanks to the online world!

Information is More Shareable and Receivable

Encylopedias and hearsays were once the go-to options for information. Nowadays people go online to search for pretty much any sort of information. Thanks to search engines such as Google and Mozilla Firefox, people are able to find whatever they’re looking for with a click of a button. Plus, if you’re operating a website of your own, the information you’ll need becomes more accessible, specifically if you’re looking for data in terms of SEO rankings and click rates.

Everything Becomes More Manageable

All in all, thanks to the online world, everything of significant importance for a Philippine virtual office is more manageable on your end. With such technology, you can keep track of anything you need and keep your company afloat with such awareness.

Key Takeaway

There are numerous other reasons to consider when it comes to the impact of what lies online. Nonetheless, it’s safe to say that the online has, and will continue to make an impact to the world as we know it.

4 Ways a Manila Co-Working Space Can Feel Like Your Second Home

What makes a co-working space in Manila feel more homey?

Ambience and aesthetics
Convenience and distance
Kitchen amenities
Space

Looking for an office space to rent around Manila? Why not a co-working space in Manila? Most freelancers can agree that getting work done at home could be a real challenge because it gets too comfortable. Then again, an actual office can be the polar opposite by being stuffy and stiff.

A co-working space already offers all the functionalities that an office has to offer, but it can also be your home away from home with the comfort it provides.

Ambience and aesthetics

Have you ever been to a co-working space in Manila or anywhere around the metro? If you take the time to examine your surroundings in a co-working space, you can see that many of these spaces provide various amenities that really exude the ‘homey’ feel. Amenities like leisure lounges, game rooms, and even smoking areas are enough to make you feel enough ease to be productive.

Convenience and the Distance

When it comes to working in Manila, signing a lease for an office for rent isn’t really that necessary if you’re a small business or a start-up company. Availing of a co-working space may actually be the more budget-friendly option.

This is also the case for students who wish to take their studying to more serious and focused matters. Making the effort to actually study is a feat in itself – having to travel far for a study space will just make it impossible. The nearer a Manila co-working space is to your school or home, the more likely you’ll keep going there and making good use of your time.

Kitchen Amenities

A home-cooked meal is no doubt cheaper than eating out. When working outside in a cafe or restaurants, most of the options are expensive. Add to that that you can only occupy a table for a couple of hours before it gets embarrassing and other patrons start complaining.

With that in mind, there are co-working spaces around the metro that provide kitchens areas so clients can come and cook or make coffee at no extra cost. Some co-working spaces are able to provide pantries to store your food so you won’t need to bring in ingredients every time. Why go hungry when you can cook?

The Overall Space

Last but not the least, the space your co-working space can showcase! When it comes to feeling relaxed and at peace with your work, it’s important for you to loosen up and move around every once in a while; and with such space a co-working space can provide you, it’s all the more worth it!

Key Takeaway

We all want to feel a sense of home wherever we linger for a time. Thankfully, these 4 points can help you consider a simple Manila co-working space for your productivity; and in time, you’ll be able to feel that a space like this truly is your home away from home.

3 Ways to Optimize Your Virtual Office in the Philippines

What are the best ways to optimize your virtual office in the Philippines?

Encouraging interaction between visitors and leads
Establishing a stable connection with the physical and online communities
Updating hardware being used

Today’s offices have evolved into something more! Gone are the 4 walls and the cubicle that encase you in a cocoon of productivity (well, not completely) and in are the vast capabilities of the online world, hence virtual office in the Philippines; but most of all, this age of corporate employment has introduced a new kind of domain, one where every professional of any industry can work together to achieve their goals in the workforce, as well as give their ideas and passions life. Ladies and gentlemen, co-working spaces have arrived!

One very notable thing about co-working spaces is their reliability with the online world. Hence, as mentioned earlier, the evolution of the traditional Philippine office into the virtual. When it comes to handling a virtual office, one thing to note about it is that constant optimization is key to a steady stream of business. After all, if you wish for your business to succeed, constant updates for your visitors, most especially your leads, is something great to consider.

There are numerous ways for you to optimize your Philippine virtual office to your satisfaction. If you’re looking to do so yourself, here are some great examples for you to try:

Encourage Interaction with Visitors

The best thing about most virtual offices around the Philippines is that most of them are interactive for numerous visitors. The more they are able to interact with your site, the more likely you will be able to convert them into leads.

Another aspect to consider when it comes to visitor interaction is that many of these sites have enlisted the services and capabilities of search engine optimization, also known as ‘SEO’. SEO has proven to have a profound impact on most inline industries; and with your Philippine virtual office, SEO can really do your wonders on your work.

Establish a Stable Connection Online

Another thing to consider for this aspect is none other than the office’s connection to the internet. While finding a suitable office to rent around the Philippines is a great way to establish connections with other co-working spaces, establishing an online connection to the online community can maximize your reach to the market, which in turn widens the scope of your target market.

Another great thing about this is that with a stable connection to the internet, more and more professionals will want to collaborate with you on any project you have in mind; maybe even start up new companies with you. Either way, this way of optimizing will get you one step closer to ultimate success.

Using Good Hardware

When it comes to optimizing any virtual office for that matter, one important component to consider is none other than the hardware being used. The more updated your computer is, the more you’ll be able to accomplish optimization.

Key Takeaway

These 3 ways on optimizing your virtual office anywhere around the Philippines are some of the best ways for you to try. If you’re looking to learn more in this aspect, feel free to visit Workplays’ site for more information. Just give this link a click!

How to Be Productive When Working Outside of the Office

Nowadays, a virtual office in Manila has made its way to being a livelihood in the face of productivity. The nature of one’s work can take them to a number of places, further stretching their boundaries as employees and broadening their opportunities as professionals. In short, work isn’t just limited to office aspects. It can be anywhere – from a coffee shop, a bar, or even a place known today in the Metro as a co-working space.

In recent times, all one really need when working in an outside location is their laptop, internet connectivity, and a lot of initiative, motivation, and productive. For the latter, however, it can be as easy to lose it as it is difficult to attain it at times.

Understandably, being outside the office can help reduce the stress of being in there for the whole day. In fact, being stressed while being in the office can hinder one’s productivity. While working outside the office can bring an amount of relief, sometimes the relief could prove a little too much for you. When there is stress in the office, there are lots of distractions and chances of laziness outside of it.

So, here is the question, “How do I stay as productive as possible when I work outside of the office?” If ever you are wondering about this, here are some ways to maintain and increase productivity when working outside the office.

Find a Place Where You Can Relax – with Good Internet Connectivity, and Where There’s Less Noise

A good and ideal place for you to function effectively is a huge factor to your out-of-office work needs. When you are working in a place with how it was described above, you will surely be able to be productive all throughout the day.

Bring the Work You Plan on Doing for the Day

When you elect to work outside of the office, you should always remember to bring with you only the work you plan on doing outside. That way, you won’t feel swamped with work early on.

Set Certain Times for Your Work to be Done and Accomplished

When you are working outside, you now have the free time to do your work whatever time you choose to do so. While this may be a huge advantage for you, it can at times be a hindrance to your productivity.

For this, all you will have to do is carefully lay out your work for the day and set a time for you to do and finish them. That way, you will be able to keep track of your work and set your own pace when doing so, further avoiding stress in the process while you are out of our office.

When Working at Home, Set Up a Personal Working Space

When working out of your office, the first location that seems ideal is within the comfort of your own home. A place where you can relax if you feel like it and food and refreshments are unlimited. While that may be true, your home can actually house a lot of distractions that can hinder your progress. Luckily, that does not always have to be the case.

For this, all you will need is a space in your home that you can lay out your work and accomplish your tasks with utmost efficiency. If ever you have your own personal home office, then all the better as you will be able to focus even more.

In addition, if you choose to work from home, be sure to distance yourself from any form of distraction. While the internet may be essential for your occupation, anything can be searched online aside from work-related purposes.

Focus. Focus. FOCUS.

This step on maintaining productivity outside of the office is very much true. No matter what your work may entail you, in or out of the office, focus will always remain a key component in maintaining productivity.

Key Takeaway

Where your work can take you is a never-ending possibility, especially when you decide where to take your work. Whether you decide to accomplish your tasks in or out of the office, just remember to make sure that the output you produce is of great quality and done with no delays.

The Difference between a Virtual Office and a Co-working Space

In 2015, CNN reported that working individuals in Manila spent the most time commuting from home to the office, with a recorded average time of 45.5 minutes. That’s an average of 91 minutes in a day spent in a car or public transportation. 91 minutes that an employee could have used to spend more time with their family or more time resting.

Thankfully, recent trends in the business world have made it possible for our local professionals to work instead in a virtual office in Manila, or any part of the world for that matter. Along with virtual offices also came coworking spaces, both of which offer plenty of benefits other than reducing commute time. While these two terms are closely related, they do not have similar meanings and shouldn’t be interchanged. Here’s why:

Virtual Office

A virtual office allows all involved parties to work from any location as long as there’s internet connection. Communication, work dissemination, and file exchange are done using laptops, desktops, tablets, or even mobile phones. Ergo, it renders a physical office where employees come to work at a set schedule unnecessary. This makes virtual offices perfect for start-up companies that are looking for ways to build their business without having to shell out for large overhead costs, as business owners won’t need to spend thousands on hardware, renting an office space, association dues, utilities, and cleaning services. Building a business is a huge commitment, and lower costs mean lower risks. It also means a better profit margin.

With a virtual office, the company can run wherever its employees are. Time and energy will be spent on achieving goals rather than long commutes! In terms of recruitment, there is a broader pool of prospects to choose from as potential employees are no longer limited to those within a few miles from a physical office. Physical space will no longer restrict expansion; hiring more people over time is more feasible without the hassle of moving to a bigger office.

Another advantage is flexibility. Some individuals find it difficult to be productive in an office where their every move is monitored. Working with a virtual office gives remote workers more freedom to do their job in the manner that is most suitable for them. Hungry? No need to wait for lunchtime, just get up and grab anything from the refrigerator. Tired? Take a ten-minute nap (without being judged) and wake up refreshed. Uninspired? Take a long walk outside and come back brimming with ideas. Work-life balance likewise suddenly becomes easier to achieve! Remote workers are evaluated based on their output and ability to meet deadlines rather than other factors, allowing for enhanced productivity.

Virtual offices are also much better for the environment than having a physical office space as it greatly reduces fuel consumption and paper waste. Working face to face can be great, but these benefits of having a virtual office are in many ways even better.

Coworking Spaces

Basing off the previous points, remote workers seem to have a wonderful life. Projects are both assigned and passed online, so leaving the house is no longer mandatory. No need to brave through the constant traffic on the roads. No struggle of making decisions as to what to wear on a daily basis. Perfect, right?

Reality check: it does get lonely. Not to mention, regularly working at the very place where you sleep, eat, and spend your leisure time (a.k.a. at home) can eventually put one in a very unproductive mood. There’s also the possibility of being tempted (or asked) to do household chores! No matter how disciplined an employee is, it can get difficult to focus when working at home.

Co-working spaces are the perfect solution to that. These are office environments that can be shared by multiple individuals, usually those who work independently. Working individuals can come in any day without being restricted to a work schedule. And because truly great coworking spaces offer more than the basics of a work space, rates generally include free Wi-Fi access, free-flowing coffee and water, and of course electricity. Some even have facilities such as conference rooms that a team can rent out for meetings.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of a coworking space is eliminating the feeling of being alone while providing a productive environment. After all, being in a coworking space gives professionals a sense of belonging and the opportunity to grow your network while on the job. People, who meet in coworking spaces, can become very valuable professional (or even personal) contacts. Anyone stumped on a certain part of a project is also more likely to find a fellow independent worker willing to weigh in and share their opinions and suggestions.

Those who prefer to be left alone are welcome as well. Coworking spaces allow anyone to focus on their work while being immersed in an office environment. Nobody is forced to mingle, but it’s still important to feel like part of a community. Rather than working in a noisy cafe, where one might get glares from other customers for hogging a table for hours, choosing a coworking space is definitely the best way to go.

5 Communication Etiquette to Practice in the Office

What most people often forget is that there’s a fine line between the comfort and professionalism. There’s no harm in talking with people but if proper etiquette is not observed when communicating – especially in the workplace – people might just get the wrong message. If you want to have a successful endeavour, then you should perfect your communication skills, as the exchange of ideas and information is crucial for any business. Proper communication is important in any workplace, no matter what type or where it’s located; whether it be a co-working space in the UK, virtual office in Manila, or open space office in China.

If you don’t know the proper communication etiquette for the office, here are some of them!

#1. Focus On the Other Person

It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert in multitasking, giving your sole attention on the other person will always be appropriate. If you have an email to reply to or a text message you have to read, kindly tell the other person and avoid multitasking. It’s not just appropriate it’s also a sign of respect, by giving your attention to another person you make them feel that they’re worth your time. Also, if you’re not focusing on the person, you might miss social cues that define where a conversation is headed.

#2. Listening Is Underrated

When miscommunication occurs, it may come at a cost; such as lawsuits, loss of respect, or misunderstandings. The way to avoid this is by simply listening to the one talking instead of thinking of a response already. Listening is too underrated in a fast-paced setting like a workplace but when it’s practiced consistently, it’ll develop into a habit. This will allow you to pay attention with all intent and listen to anyone who’s talking.

If you didn’t hear or understand something, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Showing physical cues can also be helpful because smiling, or nodding appropriately can let the speaker know that you’re paying attention.

#3. Appropriate Timing

When you want to talk to someone in the office, first, check if they’re not busy. Because communicating with someone while they’re busy may be counter-productive. This is because you may only get their divided attention or they could annoyed because you’re disturbing them. Also, if you’re the one who’s busy, you should ask the other person if it’s urgent, if not, ask them if you can talk to them later because you’re trying to finish something. Tell them as kindly as possible and they’ll surely understand.

#4. Appropriate Delivery

Along with proper timing, your delivery should still be observed. Before you talk to an officemate, try to determine if that particular matter is supposed to be conducted through a face-to-face discussion or you could just tell them through an email or text. Talking face-to-face is not always the answer; by practicing the right delivery you can practice efficient habits in whatever work setting you’re in.

#5. Questions Are Important

Effective communication will never be a one-way street, it’s an act between two or more people. Asking questions – specifically open-ended ones – will always be one of the most effective communication skills a person could have. By doing this, you’ll make the other person feel that they’re worth your attention. This also means that the conversation is a priority because when you ask questions, the conversation will be longer and more meaningful.

Communication skills and etiquette is one of the most important assets a person could have. Effective communication can always make or break a business so, always practice your communication skills and etiquette and you’ll have less problems in the long run.