Virtual office Philippines Archives - Page 3 of 7

How to Establish Work-Life Integration instead of Work-life Balance

How can you establish work-life integration?

Try to stay flexible
Take some time off
Remember to unplug
Observe your work behavior then plan your day accordingly

If you are part of the workforce then you’ve probably already heard of the term “work-life balance” — a balance between your work and personal life in terms of allocating time, attention, and energy.

Despite the popularity of the concept, trying to achieve a balance between the two can prove to be difficult. In fact, many people struggle to find the right kind of balance which can lead to stress and burnout from work and aspects of life.

The good news is that there is a new phrase gaining popularity in recent years that can be considered as an alternative to work-life balance — “work-life integration”. Continue reading if you are interested in knowing what work-life integration is, how it can benefit you in your professional life, and how you can try to establish it in your life.

Integration over balance

One of the main reasons why integration is a more suitable word to describe the relationship between your work and personal life is that it doesn’t evoke opposition. If you think about the word ‘balance’, its imagery, and how it is commonly used in language, you will notice that it creates a sense of competition or division between two or more elements. For example, balance is often used to describe the relationship between good and evil or represented symbolically through a scale.

Instead, work-life integration is an approach that tries to establish synergy and harmony between all the different aspects of life whether its work, family, community, or personal wellbeing and health. In contrast with the compartmentalization approach that balancing entails, work-life integration can be a better and a more holistic approach to the improvement of your life in general.

It would be helpful to think about it this way: work-life balance implies that those two things must exist on either side of an axis, in this case, the individual. Meanwhile, work-life integration implies that there are no sides and that both work and life must always be dynamically and harmoniously managed.

With all that being said, here are some ways you can establish work-life integration.

Try to stay flexible

Flexibility is a great word to associate with work-life integration because it suggests a dynamic approach to managing certain elements of your life. When it comes to your work or your workplace, you can try becoming flexible in terms of the time you spend doing your responsibilities.

For example, try doing a little work from home or establishing a remote work schedule. You can also find ways to handle personal errands and tasks while you’re at work. Convenience without sacrificing productivity is what you should strive for in terms of being flexible. As long as your workplace or boss permits, do your best to seamlessly blend your given responsibilities to create a daily flow that’s convenient for you.

Take some time off

You probably already know or have experienced this in one form or another, but achieving a high level of productivity means having a clear or fresh mind. That being said, taking time off is a must if you want to get that clear state of mind. If you’re feeling tired or stressed at work or even at home, take a 5-10-minute break to get some fresh air outside. A simple change of environment can work wonders in improving your productivity.

Higher productivity means satisfaction for you, your workmates, boss, and family so always try to take momentary breaks to maintain high productivity.

Remember to unplug

One big pitfall when it comes to maintaining a work-life balance is that work somehow manages to follow you wherever you go. Constantly thinking about work from sunrise until sundown tends to be both mentally and physically exhausting, which is why you should learn how to ‘unplug’.

As a rule of thumb, try your best not to work outside of your workplace unless it’s urgent or part of your flexible remote working schedule. By taking sincere mental breaks from office matters, you get to take a step back and recharge your mind and body.

Unplugging is different from taking some time off because you can’t necessarily unplug while you’re at work doing something important. Putting the two together would mean taking healthy breaks to maximize productivity while at the same time knowing when to stop thinking about work to focus on other things.

Observe your work behavior then plan your day accordingly

By now you should know that everyone works differently. Some may be more energetic and productive during the morning, while others tend to work the hardest during the afternoon. There will always be certain hours in a day when you are most attentive and focused. This is primarily the reason why you should make a conscious effort to observe your behavior and tendencies at work and plan your day with those observations in mind.

Use a pen and pad if you must because one of the keys to successful work-life integration is listening to your body and working with it to ensure the best quality of work. For example, if you notice that you get the most amount of work done before lunchtime, try to finish your hardest tasks during that time.

Key Takeaway

It is important to note that adopting a work-life integration over a work-life balance must always start in the mind. Avoid the rigid mentality that treats work and personal life two separate aspects that need to be independently managed. Instead, find ways on how you can synergize the two in your daily life and go from there.

Why a Coworking Space Near Alabang Could be Beneficial for Your Startup Company

Why are coworking spaces beneficial for startups?

Coworking spaces are cost-effective and flexible
Coworking spaces have amenities and perks
It provides an alternative environment and company culture
The metro south is a great location for startups

The term ‘startup business’ has noticeably become popular in recent years. While there’s nothing new about the idea behind startups, the rise of digital industries around the world has given prospective entrepreneurs scalable business ideas that can hopefully become a success. Along with the rise of modern startups came virtual offices and coworking spaces. Simply put, these are progressive workplaces that cater to the needs of less traditional companies. Whether you employ the use of a virtual office in the Philippines or a coworking space near Alabang, either choice can be beneficial for your startup business.

Let’s take a look at how coworking spaces could help take your startup to the next level.

Coworking spaces are cost-effective and flexible

If your startup business is like most other startup businesses, then that would mean that your budget is naturally limited. This is why most startup companies or firms are noticeably frugal in their expenditures — only employing a number of people (if not the owner working solo), conducting small-scale operations, and not having their own workplace or office.

Pay attention to that last instance of cost-cutting methods most startups do because that is where coworking spaces can be of optimal use. Traditional office leasing involves long-term contracts that come with hefty fees. Startups can’t usually afford these kinds of terms because of practicality issues. It’s hard to maximize a traditional office space because there’s usually not enough people to do so. Factor in utility bills and other miscellaneous fees that come with leasing an office space long-term, then it becomes clear that the cost is not worth it.

In contrast, coworking spaces are not only cost-effective but also flexible time-wise. Subscribing to a monthly rental fee is a much more practical option than being tied down for a year. Some of the best coworking spaces and virtual offices in the Philippines even offer daily or walk-in rentals. Given the unpredictability of the future, especially for startups, using a time-flexible working space is the most optimal setup.

Coworking spaces have amenities and perks

Aside from being flexible and cost-effective, what makes working in a coworking space so appealing are the amenities and perks that come with it. The first thing of note here is that coworking spaces are already fully furnished and usually come equipped with office essentials such as Wi-Fi, coffee, phone systems, copy and fax machines, conference rooms, and a pantry.

The best coworking spaces offer a number of the aforementioned amenities for free, so be on the lookout for those establishments to find the best bang for your buck.

It provides an alternative environment and company culture

In terms of the intangible advantages with regards to working spaces, one of the more refreshing qualities of a coworking space is that it provides an alternative to company culture and environment. This is not to say that there is something fundamentally wrong with most traditional company cultures, but there is a noticeable difference.

Traditional company culture and environment are associated with cubicles, grey spaces, corporate attires, adherence to a strict chain of command, departmentalization, etc. Coworking spaces are designed to be an alternative to that kind of setting.

While they also have a dress code, it is usually lenient. As long as you are wearing something appropriate and not disruptive to the working environment, then you are going to be fine. Coworking spaces also have a noticeable absence of cubicles and table separators. This encourages co-working and collaboration, something that is also not too prevalent in traditional office setups. Startups businesses can benefit from deviating from normal working norms because it often takes a lot of creativity to develop something unique, especially when it comes to business. An enthusiastic culture and environment can be a big factor in fostering that much-needed creativity.

Since coworking spaces are a rather recent development in the professional world, there is still more left to discover about the culture surrounding it. Consider it an added incentive to try out a coworking space near Alabang and see how different and refreshing it can be.

The metro south is a great location for startups

Now that the advantages of coworking spaces have been examined, it’s time to go into why Alabang and the metro south is a great location to establish your startup business.

Decongested Location

One of the best parts of establishing a startup business in the metro south is that it is relatively decongested when compared to the main central business districts like Makati and BGC. This means there will be fewer instances of heavy traffic, and more opportunities to find space. A coworking space near Alabang can be the most accessible and accommodating option when compared to other areas.

The metro south has potential for growth

Considering that the previously mentioned business districts are already reaching critical mass in terms of physical space, new enterprises are having a hard time finding a proper spot for their business. Many of these businesses are already starting to flock down south in order to find a place for their company or organization. This movement contributes to the already ongoing development of the general metro south including areas such as Alabang, Las Pinas, and Paranaque.

That being said, it could also be beneficial for your startup to be situated in a developing area because it allows your startup to scale in a smoother fashion — allowing you to match the growth of your business with the continuous development of the local industries.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know why a coworking space near Alabang is beneficial for your startup, what better way for you to try it than by trying out the services of Workplays.

Workplays is a coworking space and virtual office that embodies all the qualities stated above and more. Since it is located in the heart of BF Paranaque, it is not only near Alabang but also the other main areas in the metro south. Click here to check out our rates and for more information, click here!

Why You Should Have Work Meetings at a Virtual Office in Las Pinas

Why should you have work meetings at a virtual office in Las Pinas?

Las Pinas is a convenient location
A professional setting is guaranteed
Virtual offices are accommodating
It’s a refreshing experience
It can be more cost-effective

Virtual offices and co-working spaces are a recent development in the professional world and its list of advantages keeps growing as more people use them. While ‘virtual’ is a word that denotes something that is done on a computer, virtual offices actually have physical spaces for people to work in.

From home businesses and startups to freelancers looking for a place to work, virtual offices are finding their place in the world. As a testament to that, virtual offices in the Philippines are also steadily increasing in number, which can surely benefit many businesses in the country.

Virtual offices are useful for the purpose of meetings. Meetings are one of the most common aspects of working life and it can be a challenge to keep them interesting. If you, your clients, employees or workmates aren’t interested, then the level of focus in a given meeting isn’t optimal. This can affect productivity and performance. One way to keep your meetings engaging is by choosing the right kind of venue with an equally apt location.

That being said, whether you’re working in a startup, small business or a corporation it can be beneficial for you to hold your meetings in a virtual office in Las Pinas and here’s why.

Las Pinas is a convenient location

If you are not too familiar with the metro south, many of its areas are residential in nature. Aside from that, it is also experiencing a boom in terms of enterprise and development. Both of these things can have implications for your work meetings based on a number of things.

Traffic

Because the main business districts in Metro Manila are in Makati, Taguig, and Quezon City, Las Pinas and surrounding areas experience a more manageable level of traffic. There is also a decreased presence of buses and jeeps which are common sources of frustrations on the road. A better driving experience on the way to a meeting can definitely help a given person’s mood which can lead to a more effective meeting. This also helps meetings begin on time for those cases where urgency is required.

Close to Home

Given that the metro south is home to numerous people, it can be comforting for some people to know that a meeting is close to their home. It can be a different story for people living in the northern areas of Metro Manila, but at least they can consider it as an opportunity to get acquainted with areas they are not familiar with.

Aside from that, Las Pinas is close to the airport. People who work for international companies or freelancers who come to the Philippines for short business trips can benefit from a virtual office in Las Pinas.

A professional setting is guaranteed

Focusing on the virtual office aspect of things, this type of office or workspace guarantees a professional setting. Most virtual offices make it a point to have one or more meeting rooms and event spaces available. These rooms come equipped with everything you might need for a presentation or discussion like air conditioning units, projectors, a whiteboard, and electrical sockets.

Virtual offices are accommodating

Since virtual offices are rented based on necessity, they usually have terms geared for short-term use. What this means is that booking a room is easier. You can specify how many hours you need it for and for what specific date, then the virtual office can make provisions accordingly. You can even incorporate other elements such as food and beverage. Try having a pizza delivered if you want to make your meeting that much more interesting.

Traditional offices aren’t the most liberal of places which can limit a given meeting’s structure. Since virtual offices aren’t part of any company, you are also free to talk about sensitive topics and other things that might be too private for a given workplace.

It’s a refreshing experience

One thing that is underrated about virtual offices and co-working spaces is their departure from traditional workspaces. Physically, it won’t be surprising to see a stark lack of cubicles, divided rooms, and bland design. Instead, many virtual offices opt for a more colorful space — one that has more furniture and fixtures that give character. If you’ve seen Google’s offices, then you might have an idea of what some virtual offices can look like.

This can give a refreshing feeling to those people who aren’t used to that kind of set-up and can affect their mood in a positive way. People are usually more receptive and alert in unfamiliar places which can mean a more successful work meeting. Try organizing a meeting in a virtual office in Las Pinas for a more refreshing time.

It can be more cost-effective

Another advantage of holding meetings in a virtual office is that you won’t have to worry about the electricity consumed during the entire ordeal. Complemented by rental rates that are usually low, it can definitely be a more cost-effective option compared to having a meeting in other places. Coffee is usually available for free as well, so you can also cut some expenses there instead of making a trip to your favorite coffee joint.

Set Your Meeting at Workplays

Given the positives listed above, a virtual office in Las Pinas can definitely be a good option for you and your work meeting purposes. While the advantages may seem to benefit home-based businesses and startups that lack a proper office, big companies still have much to gain. Given the increasing number of virtual offices in the Philippines, the options are becoming more accessible as well. One such option is Workplays, a leading virtual office and co-working space in the metro south.

Workplays is a great option for those looking to organize a work meeting in the heart of the metro south. To check our rates, click here and for more information regarding our services, click here.

Pros and Cons of Playing Music in the Workplace

What are the pros and cons of playing music in the workplace?

PRO: boosts morale and improves mood
CON: can cause distraction
PRO: helps break up mundane or boring tasks
CON: may bother other employees
PRO: drowns out co-workers
CON: employees may not hear others calling for their attention

In several workplaces in the Philippines such as a virtual office, many enjoy listening to music while they work or study because they claim that it helps them focus. On the other hand, there are those who cannot work productively while listening to music and prefer to work in quiet atmospheres. To resolve the debate on whether or not music is beneficial to have in the workplace, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of listening to music while working.

PRO: Boosts productivity and improves mood

Music is known for improving people’s moods and this is also true when working in a virtual office in the Philippines. Additionally, many argue that music can also increase a person’s productivity. Generally, music without lyrics like classical, instrumental, and nature noises are associated with increased productivity. But at the same time, more upbeat genres like pop or dance music can help energetic workers concentrate better. Additionally, music can also boost creativity and inspiration for artists and other jobs involving creative thinking.

CON: Can cause distraction

On the other hand, there are those who argue that music does the exact opposite and results in more distraction. This can be true when attempting to do math problems or write essays while listening to rock or heavy metal music. More often than not, the effect of music on productivity will depend on the music genre and the type of work the person is doing.

PRO: Helps make mundane tasks less boring

Listening to music does not only boost a person’s mood but also helps break the monotony of mundane work. It is a way of keeping yourself entertained on days when you feel sluggish or when your work requires to repeat tasks over and over. This is especially true for jobs that involve labor or physical work. Furthermore, listening to music can be just the thing you need to get you feeling alive and motivated throughout the day.

CON: May bother other employees

However, one disadvantage of playing music out loud or through speakers is that not everyone may like or enjoy it. Keep in mind that not everyone has the same music tastes as you do, and various genres affect each person differently. For instance, pop music may help you concentrate but this might not be true for your co-worker seated next to you. One tip to avoid this is to ask your co-workers if it is okay for you to play music before doing so. When in doubt, stick to using earphones to avoid bothering your co-workers.

PRO: Drowns out co-workers and other distractions

If you have a hard time concentrating with co-workers talking or other office noise, then listening to music could be the answer to your problem. You will likely find it much easier to concentrate while listening to soothing instrumentals or classical music than listening to your co-workers speak on the phone or the sounds of machines.

CON: Employees may not hear others calling for their attention

While listening to music can help drown out other noises in your workplace, this might work too well and keep you from hearing others calling for your attention. This is especially problematic if customers are trying to get your attention and you cannot hear them. One tip to prevent this from happening is to keep the volume of your music low enough so that you can still hear when others try to call your attention.

Key Takeaway

Everyone has their own methods and preferences for staying focused while working, and listening to music is just one of the many options. Listening to music while working does not have the same effects on everybody, so remember to be sensitive to the needs of others while at work.

Author’s Note: This entry was optimized by the best SEO Services Agency in the Philippines – SEO Hacker

7 Essential Types of Furniture and Appliances to Have in the Office

What furniture and appliances are essential in offices?

Computer equipment
Communications
Desks and worktables
Comfortable chairs
File cabinets
Microwave and refrigerator
Whiteboard wall

When working in a virtual office in the Philippines, the furniture and appliances found in the workplace play a major role in productivity. We often take basic pieces of furniture like desks and telephones for granted. Nonetheless, investing in the best types of office furniture will make a big difference in the productivity and mood of everyone who works there. Here are some essential appliances and pieces of furniture needed in an office.

Computer equipment

No virtual office in the Philippines would be complete without desktop computers and necessary accessories like keyboards, mouse, and more. You will also need to install various software into each computer for protection against viruses, word processing, backing up of data, and other needs of your office. Besides this, it is also ideal for every office to have a multifunctional printer that can fax, scan, and photocopy in addition to printing documents.

Communications

Another essential for offices is to have communications systems including a telephone line, internet connection, answering machine, desk telephones, and more. Nowadays, it is next to impossible for an office or any workplace to function without internet and telephone systems. Because of this, it is important to invest in a reliable communications system to avoid encountering problems in the future.

Desks and worktables

Obviously, you can’t have an office without desks to work on. To make the most of your space, make sure to invest in desks that come with storage space like drawers and cabinets. These will come in handy for storing desk supplies like pens, post-its, paper, and other personal items. In addition to individual desks, you will also need larger work tables for group meetings.

Comfortable chairs

Another must-have in every office are comfortable chairs. Because people will be spending the majority of their day sitting at their desks, comfort is an obvious priority when buying office chairs. One common type of chair found in offices are ergonomic chairs, which have adjustable parts to provide maximum comfort for a range of people. Additionally, this type of chair is known for correcting posture and supporting your back very well.

File cabinets

Staying organized is extremely important when working in an office so having organization supplies like file cabinets, folders, and envelopes will surely prove to be very useful. These will keep all of your important documents in one place and avoid any of them from getting lost or messy.

Microwave and refrigerator

Give your staff the option of bringing their own packed lunch and snacks to work by providing a communal microwave and refrigerator for the entire office.

Whiteboard wall

Another incredibly useful tool to have in the office is a whiteboard wall where you can write notes during meetings, place schedules, stick up announcements, and many more. This will also mean stocking up on whiteboard markers, erasers, and magnets.

Key Takeaway

Even though many of these seem very trivial, no office could function well without them. Investing in basic furniture that is both high-quality and practical will make a big difference in making life in the office easier and more productive.

Why You Should Hire an In-house Freelancer

Why is hiring an in-house freelancer beneficial?

Reduces costs
High-quality work at a fast rate
Lots of work experience
Large networks
More innovative and creative
Get a specific job done
International Reach

Freelance work has become increasingly popular because freelancers have the freedom to decide where they work and what their work hours are. However, some businesses and companies are wary of hiring freelancers. With the advent of virtual offices in the Philippines, more and more freelancers are able to hone their skills. What companies do not realize is that there are actually many advantages to hiring freelancers, whether they work in-house or from home.

Reduces costs

One benefit of hiring a freelancer is that it is a lot cheaper than hiring a full-time employee. Generally, freelancers work from home and set their own work hours so there is no need to include employee vacation, sick pay, and other benefits in their salary. Additionally, freelancers are accustomed to working independently and go into a job with the knowledge and skills needed. Thus, there is often no need to spend extra time and resources on employee training.

High-quality work at a fast rate

Professional freelancers are widely known for delivering high-quality work at fast rates. You can always count on freelancers to be motivated to perform excellently, since having a reliable reputation is essential for them to succeed. Freelancers earn most from clients and companies who like their work enough to hire them again, possibly as in-house freelancers. To maintain their relationships with clients and successfully make a living off of freelancing, independent workers need to keep the quality of their work high.

Additionally, flexibility in work schedule actually allows freelancers to work during times when regular employees are typically on breaks, such as weekends and holidays. While your office may be closed, it is possible for freelancers to work from a virtual office in the Philippines and submit their work by morning.

Lots of work experience

Independent workers, especially professionals who have been freelancing for several years, often have a lot more work experience in their resume than the average employee. With each new client, freelancers gain all kinds of work experiences and pick up new skills along the way. Thus, hiring an in-house freelancer could bring a fresh and unique perspective that your company can learn a lot from.

Large networks

Another advantage is that freelancers often have many connections. Freelance work provides many opportunities to expand one’s network and make various connections in the industry, such as when they work in co-working spaces or an events space in BF Paranaque. With the help of an independent worker, you could easily make invaluable business relationships with big names and influencers in the industry.

More innovative and creative

In addition to being reliable and fast, freelancers are also known for being innovative and creative. An outside perspective could be just what your project needs to put give your company an extra edge over the competition. Additionally, freelancers are also known for being particularly tech-savvy. For instance, freelancers in the field of web design or technical support can help immensely in upgrading the programs and technology being used in your company.

Get a specific job done

Another reason why hiring independent workers are so convenient is that they can be hired strictly on a need basis. Rather than go through the hassle of training an employee to do a specific job that they have yet to learn or master, you can finish the job faster by hiring a freelancer who specializes in that field. Hiring a specialized freelancer can be extremely helpful, especially in cases when you lack the resources to do the job yourself. Moreover, having in-house freelancers who are experts in particular fields or jobs will help greatly in keeping the quality of your products or services at the highest standard possible.

International Reach

Another great option your company can look into is hiring freelancers stationed abroad. Because freelancers often work from their computers, you can easily reach and employ freelance workers from all over the world. International freelancers have the potential to bring experiences, skills, and insights that no one else could to the table. While it would not be possible to hire independent workers from abroad as in-house freelancers, there is still a lot that can be gained from employing their help and services.

Key Takeaway

Freelance work is not only extremely advantageous for the freelancers themselves but also for the companies they work for. Freelancers are able to get the job done and more at reduced costs. They are also known for having invaluable characteristics such as creativity, reliability, independence, and more. Overall, hiring freelancers is a convenient and profitable option that all companies should consider.

4 Online Summer Job Ideas

What are summer jobs that can be done online or from home?

Online business
Freelance work
Online tutoring
Customer service

Thanks to the power of technology, you can now work from the comfort of your home or virtual office in the Philippines. Numerous jobs that are in high demand nowadays, such as freelance writing or tutoring, can be done online. This gives you the freedom to choose when and where you wish to work, whether it’s in your bedroom or in an office space for rent in BF Homes Paranaque. Here are some popular online jobs that are perfect for earning extra cash this summer.

Online Business

One of the most common ways people work from home is to put up an online business or sell items online. With the ever-increasing popularity of online shopping, you could easily earn from this job this summer. Whether it’s creating your own website or selling on existing platforms like Shoppee, Carousell, Etsy, or Instagram, you could sell virtually anything. Homemade food or crafts, artwork, second-hand clothes, books, jewelry, and shoes are just a few of the countless things that can be sold online. In short, there is an endless amount of possibilities for what your online business this summer could be.

Freelance Work

Another online job with a broad scope of possibilities is freelance work. A freelancer is a self-employed worker who sells their work or services by the hour, day, or per job. Freelance work is incredibly flexible since you have the freedom to choose your work schedule and which jobs to take. You could easily do freelance work from a virtual office in the Philippines or from office space for rent in BF Homes Paranaque. There is also a wide range of jobs that fall under freelance work to choose from. Some examples of freelance jobs include writing, proofreading and editing, graphic design, social media management, transcription, and many more.

Online Tutoring

Online tutoring or teaching is a new and convenient means for students to receive extra help from anywhere in the world. This has become especially popular and helpful for anyone who wishes to learn another language. Online tutoring sessions are done over video chat, whether it is using Skype or any application that will allow the student and tutor to converse and connect face-to-face. This job would be perfect for any teacher looking for a part-time job during the summer to earn additional income.

Customer Service

Another way you can work from home this summer is to get a part-time job in customer service. You could work as an independent contractor for a company, answering calls and addressing the concerns of customers. Besides this, you could also work as a chat support agent and assist customers through chat or email.

Key Takeaway

Online jobs are a great way to keep busy this summer and are opportunities to get paid for doing things you enjoy. With the endless amount of option for online jobs, you could easily find one that allows you to showcase your skills and talents.

How to Reduce Office Micromanagement

What are ways to reduce office micromanagement?

Encourage communication
Remind employees once in a while
Prioritize understanding versus compliance
Set successful parameters

Micromanagement refers to a managing style that is too obsessed with details and control. An office with a micromanagement culture will have leaders who point out every mistake of their employee and will not allow their teams to form their own opinions. Leaders act like control freaks because they are scared of having a tarnished reputation, obsessed with rightness at all times, and are too afraid of mistakes.

In a virtual office in the Philippines, it is easier to prevent leaders from acting like micromanagers because everyone will see their harmful actions and call them out on it. It is possible because the office was designed to be an open space. Everyone is meant to be equals who can approach each other anytime. Despite the nice design, there is still the risk of people become micromanagers. Therefore, every employee should know these tips that can reduce office micromanagement, in case it does happen.

Encourage communication

Communication between manager and employee can be a tricky one to do right. The reason why communication can be ruined because leaders always make these mistakes:

They act unapproachable
Whenever leaders talk to people under their team, they usually focus only on mistakes
They don’t seem to care about the job aspirations of their employees

When you, as a leader, do this all the time, your employees become hesitant to talk to you about important issues. This can lead to a lot of company trouble later on.

Remind employees once in a while

It is ok to remind your employees about the outputs they forgot to do or haven’t finished once in a while. But if you have to take time to remind them every day in an office space for lease in Las Pinas, then this type of management has become a problem. Yes, you don’t want your department to make mistakes as much as possible. But being overly attentive can paradoxically lower their morale and make them lose motivation to do work properly, which dampens overall productivity.

So the only answer to prevent productivity problems from happening is reminding them once in a while. If you have difficulty implementing this action in real life, these tips can help:

Consistently set expectations early

Whenever there is a new project, you should first have a meeting with all the team members. Besides clarifying the gist of it, you should state clearly the roles of each employee in this project.

Afterward, you make them remember their individual expectations:

By making a report and sending it online.
Write little notes. You can use sticky paper or if you have glass walls, like virtual offices in the Philippines, you use them as a board and list the reminders using a whiteboard marker.

When expectations are clarified early, employees will work exactly according to what they need without being suffocated.

Let go of “I’ll do everything myself” thoughts

Leaders who are prone to these type of thoughts usually do not trust their members and assume that they are better than everyone else. Additionally, they are used to making things go their way automatically.

Doing work besides your own is very inefficient. When things are inefficient, the office ends up finishing output too late.

Therefore, it is important to let go of these thoughts. If you see employees making a mistake, do not take their work. Instead, clarify what they did wrong. Afterward, you can suggest what they should do fix their wrong and then leave them to implement your suggestion.

Prioritize understanding versus compliance

There will definitely be times where employees have no choice but to listen to you as a leader. For example, your budget manager has no choice but to pay the rental fee for the company’s office space for lease in Las Pinas. If she doesn’t, you may not have a space to work in.

But forcing them to comply with every decision you make is just tyranny. Before you discuss your plan to the team, already list reasons why you want to push through it and be prepared with sample explanations to answer the employees who may oppose your plan. When you do this, you can also ask the reasons your teammate objected to you. Afterward, employees can give suggestions that are potentially helpful

Set successful parameters

As the name suggests, these parameters are meant to measure how successful your employees are at doing their jobs. Instead of you judging how good or bad your employee, you can set a sort of grading system. For example, you can tell your teammates that they all have a quota of 4 outputs per day. Whenever they do, you can confidently say they did a good job.

Key Takeaway

Micromanagers are the way they are because of reasons such as being afraid for their reputation. No matter how much an office aims to be open in design, leaders like these can still exist. Therefore, employees should know about these tips that can reduce office micromanagement.

Virtual Office Philippines: How to Make Your Work Breaks Productive

How can you make your work breaks more productive?

Connect with your co-workers
Meditate
Walk away from your desk
Take a nap

In this age of technology, work breaks are commonly thought of like time to check social media. Being up to date with events and people is now a popular way of relaxing during these moments. Different aspects of life involve being social, even the popular co-working trend at virtual offices in the Philippines involves connecting with people through online means while doing your job.

While it may seem relaxing to scroll down your feed, using your phone during all your breaks can make you feel even more stressed out. It worsens the way you feel by isolating you from your surroundings because you spend all your time on the phone. It also makes you compare your circumstances with the circumstances of others, thus, increasing your insecurity.

All this stress will obviously drain your energy and make you less productive. Instead of using social media during your breaks, these are a few activities you can try:

Connect with your co-workers

Conversing and socializing with people online just does not feel the same as conversing with people face to face. When you talk to people face to face, you tend to feel more excitement and happiness. This is because having connections makes you feel less lonely by making you feel like you belong in a place. It makes you feel more positive about the environment you are in.

At work, you experience different types of stressful situations because of your responsibilities. It can become really difficult for you to keep those negative feelings every day, and there will be times when talking about those stresses are the best way to solve them. Your coworkers are the perfect people to converse with about those problems because they usually face the same issues since all of your share the office space for lease in Paranaque.

Meditate

One of the most stressful things that a lot of employees do is multi-task. Multi-tasking at a virtual office in the Philippines seems good in concept, but actual implementation usually falls flat because doing many things at the same time tends to lead to us not finishing anything in the end due to lack of focus. Multi-tasking also makes your attention span shorter in the long run since you are used to moving from topic to topic.

Social media encourages us to have a short attention span because we can quickly move from a post or page to another one.

Meditating counteracts that effect on our attention span by:

Calming our mind – When we make peace with our negative feelings, we can move on and completely focus on our work.

Make us think more critically – When your mind is calm, you become more aware of what you are doing. You start to see what is inefficient in your movements and actions.

Walk away from your desk

Sitting down for long periods of time can have a serious impact on your brain health. Staying on your chair can make it harder for you to remember short-term memories because it can thin out the medial temporal lobe. You need good short-term-memory at work because it makes you alert to changes in the office.

A good way to prevent is by actually moving away from your desk and to start moving. Walking is an easy exercise to do outside any workspace, such as an office space for lease in Paranaque. Exercise makes you remember better because it keeps all of the parts of the brain fit, including the medial temporal lobe, just like the rest of your body parts.

Besides making you remember, walking also gives you these benefits:

Feel more positive about work
Make you more creative
Make you focus better

Take a nap

Every employee wants to get enough sleep, but most of them don’t attempt to get enough sleep. The act of slumbering makes up for lost energy. When you don’t recharge your energy, you become less productive at work. A lack of sleep makes you less aware of your surroundings, thus making it harder to finish tasks and you more prone to error. It also makes you too tired to think and be creative.

People find it hard to sleep enough hours at work. If you constantly complain about being tired because of lack of sleep, a good way to make up for that is by taking naps at work during your lunch.

A 30-minute nap on your desk is enough to make improve your alertness and performance without disturbing your night sleep.

Key Takeaway

It has become a habit for many employees to use social media as a way of relaxing during their breaks. While social media makes it easy for us to connect and gain friends, it makes us less productive because of different reasons. Instead of gaining energy during our breaks, we lose energy over feelings of isolation and insecurity. We become less productive. Instead of using social media, you can try the ways discussed above to make the most out of your breaks.

Why is the Co-Working Industry Booming?

What are the central reasons behind the co-working industry boom?

Ease of networking
Promoting creativity
Casual environments

The traditional office has been slowly neglected by companies. Now, virtual offices in the Philippines and other countries are becoming more and more popular. These open spaces with no barriers seem to be the trend and it is no surprise that so many people are entering the co-working market. Let’s take a look at the main reasons why the co-working industry is booming.

It is easy to network with companies who share the same space

For freelancers and small enterprises, networks with the right people can bring extraordinary opportunities for their finances. Co-working office spaces for rent in Las Pinas usually provide networking opportunities because you also work alongside different people and teams. It is also a great avenue to practice your social skills if you are the shy type.

These people can be your future client, customer, supplier, investor, or even business partner. Even if you bond them with them over casual interests and hobbies, these relationships can become a strong financial relationship in the future. Lastly, these people can impart to your important knowledge.

Decorations are brighter, thus promoting creativity

Co-working space owners prevent their area from looking too posh or lax. Because of this, there is greater flexibility in designing the office, compared to let’s say that of a corporation. A corporation may only stick to white chairs, or furniture with wooden tables to reinforce this culture of formality. Unlike those big businesses, the spaces of virtual offices in the Philippines are filled with unusually designed chairs, plants, brightly colored pictures, and walls.

These bright are colors are psychologically proven to positively affect one’s mood. Green is a predominant color of Workplays’ picture and this color is known for giving people a sense of calm and reassurance. Other virtual offices in the Philippines may have a bright color like yellow, which can stimulate creativity to a person who is in a mental rut. Overall these areas can become mental sanctuaries to those in need.

It is very casual

Casual can have different meanings, depending on the object being described. The co-working space is casual in the sense, that there is little to no bureaucracy. When you enter large companies, there seems to be a lot of red tape. There are so many time-consuming rules that make little to no sense. Additionally, people in higher positions are can make decisions that are so out of touch with their employees, they become angry.

This can happen across many departments and many employees wouldn’t even hear about the problems because the structure is too complex and they tend to just mind their own business. Bureaucratic problems are easily developed because of closed rooms and cubicles. No one can really see a problem on the spot.

Most office spaces for rent in Las Pinas have seen through walls or doors with mirrors so everyone can see what you are doing. Leaders can watch and judge the activities easily, while employees do not have a hard time asking them different concerns. No need for strict and intrusive formalities.

Key Takeaway

Over the past decade, the nature of co-working spaces has continually made its mark in shaping millennial office culture. The co-working industry has become so successful because of positive reasons and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.