6 Ways to Organize and Optimize Your Office Layout

 

The layout of an office affects not just the aesthetic appeal but also the comfort and productivity. Planning an office renovation at the right time is more than just utilizing the workspace efficiently. According to studies, the office layout and other environmental factors influence brand perception, employee motivation levels, financial success, and performance.

Here are six ways in which you can optimize and organize your office layout:

1. Remove uncomfortable furniture

Take a look at all the furniture you have. Old or poorly designed furniture can hamper your employee’s health. Get ergonomic desk chairs with swivel mechanisms, padded material, lumbar support, and other such features.

2. Know the technological requirements

Before you re-arrange the furniture, discuss it with your IT department so that everyone has access to the technology they require. Keep in mind the proximity to outlets, phone jacks, location of printers, Wi-Fi routers, and storage for technology.

3. Create spaces for collaboration

Ask your commercial contractor to design collaborative spaces. These spaces encourage employees to walk to different parts of the office. You can put a few comfortable chairs in a semi-circle near an art display or an indoor fountain. Hosting a meeting in a collaborative space is sometimes much more refreshing than someone’s office.

4. Designate a space for relaxing

It is vital to take breaks, and your office space must encourage employees to step out for a few minutes when they need to. Create separate spaces for relaxation. These spaces should not contain any computers or other work-related paraphernalia.

5. Monitor office temperature

Office temperature is also an essential factor to consider under office layout. Make sure the air conditioning vent is not making a particular cubicle too cold. Or a window is not sending in too much sunlight. Understanding temperature variation throughout the office can lead to smart layout choices.

6. Don’t overdo the decor

Introduce some inspirational quotes, office plants, artwork, and creativity to your office space. However, avoid overdoing it. The purpose of office decor is to make the space aesthetically pleasing instead of intimidating the visitors and employees.

5 Trends Driving the New Post-Pandemic Workplace

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly disturbed work-life, altering the way employees work and do their jobs. It has also led to a lot of debate on the future of work and how office layouts need to change as per the new normal.

Covid-19 has increased the need for office renovations to support social distancing and provide cleaner and more efficient workplaces. If you have a poorly designed office, it can result in mental health issues, anxiety, and higher stress levels. On the other hand, a properly designed office space will foster better health, collaboration, keep employees comfortable and happy, and promote productivity.

Here are five simple ways to redesign your office space, keeping in mind your employee’s safety and wellbeing as they return to the office:

1. Prioritize Physical Distancing between and within Workstations

Many offices will need to make space to maintain a distance of six feet between workstations. Even if the government doesn’t continue to mandate physical distancing, employees will feel safer and comfortable if they know that their workstation has appropriate social distance. You can invest in smaller desks or stagger chairs around the table to maintain the required distance.

2. Choose Open Floor Plans

Open office spaces allow for easy cleaning. Moreover, the number of surface touchpoints for employees is lesser. Proper ventilation is also vital to restrict the spread of Covid-19. An open floor plan can give your opportunities to open windows and instantly improves office ventilation.

3. Focus on Furniture, Appliances, and Finishes

In the future, workspaces need adaptable furniture. Their finish materials must be antimicrobial and easy to sanitize. Appliances must use the latest technology, limiting touching and making the office space more efficient.

4. Increase Meeting Rooms

Many employees will continue to work from home. A small meeting room with the right AV equipment can allow two people to sit together and connect with the rest of the team.

5. Educate Employees

With the help of a commercial contractor, introduce floor stickers, decals, emblems, and more into the office space. These will help employees follow the protocols, maintain social distance, and stay safe.

WATER DAMAGE INSURANCE TIPS

 Water damage is the the leading property insurance claim and causes the greatest financial expense to insurance companies. These claims are often underpaid, delayed or denied. You must understand your policy coverage so you can take proactive measures to protect from further damage. Here are our tips before filing your water damage insurance claim.

TIPS BEFORE FILING YOUR CLAIM:

• Understanding Verbiage: If you have a burst pipe and your basement is filling with water, don’t call it flooding. Most insurance companies won’t compare your drowning basement with the aftermath of a natural flood. You could argue, but it would likely take months.
• Documentation: Before you do anything, document the disaster by snapping some photos. Be thorough in your documentation; look for anything that could cause irreparable damage if left. If nothing is going to self-destruct, leave it so the adjustor can see the full extent of the damage.
  
• Who Did It? Record the possible cause of damage and keep connections with anyone involved. (Are you getting a new pool and the contractor broke the pipe? Did your upstairs neighbor leave the water running the week she was on vacation?) Report any involved parties and document your communication with them.
  
• What Now? Your house has first floor water damage.  Where do you stay? Will your insurance cover the temporary housing? Understand what your insurance covers or find out during your first call and get a set number.

Once you have your claim there are things you do to ensure consistent coverage. Here are some water damage insurance claim tips for after you have the claim.

TIPS AFTER FILING YOUR CLAIM:

• Notify Insurance: Immediately notify your insurance once you have your claim. If you let the damage fester it can be grounds to deny your claim. Time will cause the damage (and any possibility of mold) to spread.
  
• Remove Standing Water: After you secure your claim you are free to begin drying out the area and remove any water that would cause further damage. Don’t make any permanent repairs until the insurance has made their own inspection to eliminate any chance of getting a lower insurance claim.
  
• Remove Water-Logged Material: Keep track of anything you remove from the area. Don’t discard anything yet; keep damaged items in a well-ventilated area to lower chances of mold growth.
  
• Documentation: Document the procedure and any changes made to the damaged environment. Log activity and record all instances of contact with your insurance for future use. Keep track of receipts for any purchased replacement items for reimbursement.
  
• Be Safe: Keep within your own financial capabilities and make sure you proceed within the phrase “safety first.” Water damage can cause trouble to more than what can be seen with the naked eye and improper protection can result in personal and/or property damage.

These water damage insurance claim tips for homeowners will encourage better claims and navigate you through a stressful situation. Call Jarvis Restoration before filing your claim to guide you through the process. We are available 24/7 at 949-326-7981. Anywhere in Orange County in ONE hour.

Source: https://jarvisrestoration.com/water-damage-insurance-tips/

5 Best Construction Project Scheduling Methods

There are many technology tools and platforms that you can use to streamline construction project scheduling. These tools eliminate the need to develop new workflows from scratch. 

Let us take a look at the top 5 construction scheduling methods for projects:

1. Critical Path Method (CPM)

The most commonly used construction scheduling method in large construction projects is the Critical Path Method. The method focuses on the principle that the completion of certain activities depends on a few critical resources or constraints. Project managers use CPM to create a graphical view of the project and calculate the amount of time and resources needed for completing each of the activities. Moreover, it outlines critical activities that must be given the utmost priority to complete the project on time. 

2.               Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

The most visually accessible construction scheduling method is PERT. The diagram creates a visual depiction of the essential project activities and the order in which an organization needs to complete them. Every step outlines the use of resources or time or both. 

3.               Line of Balance (LOB)

Line of Balance is a management control process focusing on repetitive iterations. It helps in marking where projects lose their way. Moreover, it assists in identifying the areas where deviations occur, along with the secondary effects that grow or accumulate from them. 

4.               Q Scheduling

This is a quantitative scheduling method. It utilizes bar charts to define quantities of materials needed at different locations and different stages during the project. Furthermore, it encompasses a hierarchical component, through which managers and workers can find the materials they require at the different stages, place orders appropriately, complete tasks in sequence, and prevent interference in other’s tasks. 

5.               Resource-Oriented Scheduling

The focus of this construction scheduling method is the project’s resources and their efficient utilization. Fewer resources increase the chances of delays as many teams are eyeing the available resources. In the absence of a smart approach deciding which team receives the resources and when a construction company can feel confused and indecisive about their ability to assign priority. 

The Benefits Of A Good Project Scheduling Process

 

If you wish to complete your projects on time, achieving the desired quality and financial goals you desire, you must schedule projects with care. Construction project scheduling plays a vital role in the success of any project. To keep your project on track, you must define realistic timelines, allocate appropriate resources, and manage quality to reduce product errors. 

The most essential benefits of a good project scheduling process are lowered costs and improved customer satisfaction. Some of the other benefits worthy of attention include:

1.     Reduces Lead Time: The project schedule outlines the tasks that you need to complete on priority along with other tasks that require completion simultaneously. Using the schedule, team members are aware of what needs to be done when and the chances of delays or postponement are eliminated. Consequently, the lead time reduces. 

2.     Reduces Costs: The project schedule lets the management and other team members track the utilization of resources and avoid overlapping of tasks. Moreover, it results in optimum utilization of resources, returning the resources that are not consumed, thereby cutting costs. 

3.    Anticipates Problems: A definite project schedule allows one to predict problems that can arise in the future due to either over or underutilization of resources. The route map, in a way, guarantees optimum consumption of resources. 

4.     Promotes Productivity: After a careful and logical evaluation of tasks, unconsumed resources can be allocated to additional tasks, resulting in improved productivity. 

5.    Defines Goals: With the help of a project schedule, managers can set both short-term and long-term goals. These goals can provide a direction and vision for the execution of the project. Without a project schedule, there would be confusion and vagueness. This would only make it challenging for the team members to manage and organize tasks to complete the project successfully. 

6.     Progress Alerts and Updates: The schedule acts as a sketch for the project. It helps to avoid challenges. The project can also lose its direction in the absence of a schedule.

 

The Important Elements of the Interior Design of Restaurants and Its Impact on Customers

Restaurants, cafes, ice-cream parlours, and all other establishments in the F&B industry use factors like location, prices, and promotions to compete with each other. Very few of them try to steal the limelight with their interior design. 

The interior design of a restaurant has an impact on the customer’s psychology and influences them to order more or less. Moreover, it affects their duration of stay at the restaurant.

In this article, let us understand the primary elements of restaurant interior design and its impact on the customers. 

1. Architecture and Design

The way you design the inside of your restaurant makes an important difference to the look and feel of your restaurant. The placement of elements as well influences the customer experience. 

It is vital to find the answers to key questions like - does your restaurant feel spacious enough? Does it get claustrophobic during the rush hours? Can customers and servers comfortably walk around without crashing into tables and other people? 

Your restaurant layout determines these pertinent concerns. There is no point in having a beautiful restaurant if your servers aren’t able to reach the tables on time, and customers aren’t having a comfortable experience. 

A professional commercial contractor can help you plan the layout of your restaurant in a way that there is sufficient space for every person seated.

2.               Lighting

Another essential element of restaurant interior design is the lighting. There are three types of lighting that you should focus on - ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Even if everything else at your restaurant is perfect, inappropriate lighting can kill the effect and intimidate customers. 

3.               Seating

Many times, restaurant owners forget to focus on the seating arrangement. The type of seats placed at your restaurant impacts the customer’s experience and psychology. For instance, quick-service restaurants use seats that are comfortable yet not as comfortable as the ones that customers would continue to sit on for long. This encourages people to eat quickly and leave the for next customer to utilize the table. 

Store Re-modelling Ideas Your Shoppers Will Love

Today, shopping is more about the in-store experience. Shoppers want things to be as they like them. However, keeping up with the demands can be a little tricky for store owners. 

Retailers must understand that the route to a shopper’s heart is through their senses, particularly the eyes. They must create a visual experience from the entrance of the store to the display of products and more. 

Here are some commercial renovation ideas that can help you in creating an inspiring and memorable experience for your customers:

1.     Window Displays

The first thing that customers see at any store is the window displays. Therefore, they should be impactful. Use your creativity to make these displays attractive. For instance, showcase different kinds of mannequins or create brightly coloured installations. Focus on creating a visual experience. Remember, if you want to attract customers into your store, you need to elevate the sensory experience. 

2.               Use Your Products as Design Elements

You don’t need to place all the products on a shelf. You can use some as design elements to add life to your store. In certain stores, products add textures to the walls and ceilings. Here, customers can see the products both as a form and a function. Consequently, they can see the different purposes of your product and imagine their use outside the store. 

3.               Make Use of Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is the new strategy for brand engagement. With the help of VR, you can reach a wider target audience and also engage with the tech-savvy Gen Z’s. Think of ways to build an enhanced customer experience by combining and enhancing your store visuals with VR. 

4.               Be a Story Teller

Create a customer journey that shares your brand’s story. A well-defined story throughout your store gives the customer the experience of an adventure. Add multimedia visual elements to keep different senses of the customer engaged. Establish a journey for the shopper by placing the most expensive product at the front. Most customers unconsciously turn towards the right, so create your power wall here.