When anyone is setting up a business, we have got two choices at hand. One can go the traditional way or can upgrade to coworking space. The perfect fit for you depends on the type of business, approach to your work, goals of your work and the budget you have got to fit in. Nowadays after the working patterns of the main businesses have changed, they have realized that they need to upgrade for better productivity and results. 





Traditional Office Spaces  : 

A traditional working space is solely yours, i.e., for you or your company. Each person is isolated in a cubicle or private space. For setting up one you need to take of every aspect by yourself. This might cost you a lot more than a managed space. 

1. Traditional offices cost more not just financially but also in the effort you need to put in as you would have to manage and organize all kinds of functioning. From the security to stocking up basic stationery. All the hassle goes from your pocket. 

2. There is no flexibility when it comes to a conventional lease that is a high upfront cost affair. Once you sign a contract, your team would have to come to solutions that are economically prohibitive and less practical. 

3. The design is always a compromise here. How much liberty do you have to experiment? Those walls, stubby cubicles and poorly lit spaces are just going to make your employees feel monotonous and their productivity decreases. 

4. The community that one gets to build in a traditional office is way more boring as people you see, are discouraging on many levels. There can be the same old people and surely seem boring. They have limited to the same industry or just the company. What’s the fun in that? 

Managed Workspaces :

They are special individually tailored workspaces which are either rented by small or parent companies with a set of the team. This concept achieves the flexibility and cost certainty of a serviced office. This also ensures the security and control of a traditional leased approach. These spaces come with basic cabling and necessary furniture.

1. Managed workspaces render freedom to freelancers and entrepreneurs to work and put up the business just the way they like.

2. You don’t have to worry about the office and rather, you can utilize the time for your business. A community manager will manage the workspace leaving time for you. 

3. You can save on the utility bills and extra housekeeping once you pay one fixed amount every month for all services included. 

4. Networking in a managed space is enhanced when you get to meet people from different backgrounds and walks of life. 

5. If professionals need more space or even less, these spaces can be customized and flexible according to your needs. 

 

It is considered that managed workspaces apply to the principles of serviced offices to the traditional models, emulating workspaces. Big parent or high growth companies, that may have unpredictable headcounts and global expansion plans with less internal real estate team, are particularly drawn to this layout.

Now, it is your decision to consider all the points and decide what suits your business.

 

Have you heard the saying, “You will never feel truly satisfied by work until you are satisfied by life”? It is very true, as finding a work-life balance between the time spent on a demanding career and personal life is very important. Technology, with boons, also has cursed us with an enormous amount of accessibility. According to a Harvard Business School Survey, a whopping 94 per cent of working professionals reported working more than 50 hours a week and nearly half said they worked more than 65 hours per week.

 

 

There is a life that we all have apart from work, a personal life that carries lot of relationships, responsibilities and priorities. Here are some handy tips to help you balance your work and personal life : 

 

1. Prioritise 

This is the most important tip to identify what and who is essential in life and draw some essential boundaries to devote quality time to people and activities.

Use some productivity tools like journaling to help you plan what to prioritize in a day. 

Try to focus on little things that consume your effort and time.

 

2. Take quality time

No matter, how big or small your position is, you need to take some quality time for yourself. This will help you balance those personal issues well. Try to live in the moment and schedule your time for yourself and your peers. Make a calendar and plan outings and activities within your niche.

 

3. Exercise and Meditate

 A balance of mind and physical health is very important when you start working. Work out and meditate to stay positive, this helps in tossing those calendars and stop procrastinating. 

A healthy lifestyle is important to maintain a work-life balance. This pump ‘feel-good’ endorphins in your body and reflects on your work as well. Self-love and care are equally important to stay calm. 

 

4. Start Small

Start by small changes in you and your schedule. You can’t achieve all that productivity in a single day. So, make sure, you start by that one task and program. Keeping it simple will help you get motivated. 

You can also treat yourself after every task you complete, this is will ensure that your motivation stays uptight. 

 

Keeping a check on yourself is highly recommended by many coaches, these small changes will help you in the long run A change a day is healthy and your balance will be peaceful. 

All workplace environments need to be hygienic and safe for both employees and visitors. This applies to all, not just any workplaces which are involved in handling food and personal products. 

A solid workplace hygiene policy is the best way to ensure that employees maintain a clean workplace. According to many workplaces, each one has different requirements. Certain may undergo risks that need additional protection. 

To prevent any kind of epidemic spread, in our constant endeavor to keep our workplace safe and secure from any kind of diseases or infections, Workshaala is doing the best practices possible from time to time. We are doing Deep fumigation in all our Bangalore premises using the best chemicals and disinfection methods :

 

1. We are conducting rigorous deep cleaning by using comprehensive disinfection and sanitation processes in all our premises in Bangalore. 

2. Regular cleaning. Simply, regularly cleaning – of the toilets, workstations and the office – is one of the most effective ways to improve hygiene. If possible, hire external cleaners to clean the office after hours.

3. We provide toiletries to employees. Prompting our employees into maintaining a hygienic workplace by providing them with toiletries. For example, sanitizer bottles, soap, boxes of tissues, and clean wipes.

4. Internal communication. We remind employees of the importance of personal hygiene on a regular basis. Also, it is best practice to lead by example.

 

Whether it’s a dirty kitchen, overflowing trash, or germ-ridden shared equipment, poor workplace hygiene is an everyday health risk for you and your team.

If you don’t tackle the problem straight away, chances are it will only get worse.

But personal hygiene at work is a delicate subject and encouraging people to change their behavior can be tricky.

Personal or workplace, it is very important to set nudges, policies and rules. We are doing our part so that our clients and employees can stay safe.

Tips for Janta Curfew – 22^nd March 2020

 

After the outbreak of Coronavirus, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressed the nation to talk about the steps taken by the government and civil initiatives that need to be taken to fight coronavirus. 

 PM Modi urged the people to observe a Janta curfew, a self-imposed curfew by the public, for the public. This is dated on 22nd March between 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. There is an assurance by the government to take steps to ensure enough supply of essential goods and there is no need for panic buying. 

 

Here are a few steps to be taken during the curfew :

 

1. It is urged for senior citizens over 65 years to not to step outside their homes in the next few weeks. As old people are prone to the virus and their immune system isn’t that strong as compared to other age groups. They can be kept immunized, sanitized and entertained at home.

2. It is advised and requested for people to applaud the doctors, sanitary workers, government officials and others who are still at the frontline in these times of epidemic. This is inspired by Italy who applauded their people from balconies after the lockdown of whole country. 

3. As a sign of participating in the curfew, you need to practice social distancing where you are requested to avoid meeting anyone outside your house. Do not hug, or handshake with anyone to save yourself from the spread of germs. 

4. Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.

5. People who have been exposed to the new coronavirus and who are at risk for coming down with COVID-19 might practice self-quarantine. Health experts recommend that self-quarantine lasts 14 days. Two weeks provides enough time for them to know whether they will become ill and be contagious to other people.

6. You can practice self-quarantine even if you are not affected by staying at home, not sharing any towels or utensils, sanitizing whatever you use and maintaining distance from others. You can simply pass your time by Netflixing and chilling at home.

 

Workshaala wishes you to cooperate during Janta Curfew so that we all can be safe. 

The current Pandemic ‘Coronavirus’ is spreading with 1,34,787 cases in total. It is estimated that fatal disease has already spread to 77 countries. India has reached 75 cases already. Most of these cases have happened to working-class of the country. Spreading panic is not going to help to reduce the impact of the deadly disease. It is important to practice basic precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19. 

The management and employers need to understand the severity of the emergency and need to take preventive steps. Here are some tips to help yourself stay out of infection at your workplace. 

 

1. Right Awareness

            The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended strategies to reduce and prevent the spread of the infectious diseases at the workplace and community outbreaks of COVID-19. It is evident that Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs or exhales these viral droplets in the air. The droplets then land on common objects like phones, laptops and desks. 

2. Clean Workstation 

 

At coworking spaces or workplaces, we are supposed to share a few articles like desks, laptops, mouse, stationery ad telephones. It is suggested to wipe them with a disinfectant regularly. If we keep our workstations clean, we can at least save ourselves from basic germs. 

 

3. Disposable Wipes

Employees shall be provided with disposable wipes and tissues so that they can clean used surfaces like doorknobs, keyboards remotes, desks, etc. before using. They can be wiped after each use and disposed of properly. 

 

4. Hand Sanitizers 

Regular handwashing with water and soap sometimes is not possible. Yet, it is important to make hand rubs and hand sanitizers are placed and used at the workplace. They shall be regularly filled and kept available. 

5. Communication 

If one is sick, they shall be sent home immediately. They should be asked to stay home even if they have basic symptoms. This would help in keeping others safe. 

If you are sick, stay home and communicate all your problems honestly. 

 

Workshaala wishes you all to stay safe and healthy. Keep yourself clean and warm. 

 

Team Engagement Tips for a Productive Team

Every company wants to attract new talents, employees generally get bored and feel uninspired by their work. They start hunting for jobs nearly after two years. These kinds of turnovers can affect the company both creatively and financially. An organization will always want their employees to come excited to the office and display their contribution. It is believed that those who are happy and content, will work towards the growth of the company. 

Prioritizing employees will keep both sides happy. Besides work, you need to engage employees in some activities that will engage them to make a productive team. 

Here are some employee engagement tips that will help you to build a productive team :

1. Celebrations 

Any kind of celebrations like celebrating someone’s birthday at the end of the day is important. This will, in turn, help them to collaborate and refresh their minds after a hectic day. Cake cutting or just appreciation might be a way to keep them happy. 

 

2. Team Outings

Once in a while, if employees get to go out for team outings like dinner and lunch, it will build a relationship with each other. The best relations are built over food. If you all eat together, you will work well together. 

 

3. Festivities

Organising some kind of events that represent any festival is a great way to engage your team. This will give them responsibilities, from decorating the office to coordinating. This is very mainstream but works very well.  

 

4. Boring Cubicles

Coworking spaces are best to engage people, as cubicles can be boring. Such spaces where employees are comfortable and collaborate. The entire concept of closed cubicles should be cut and shall be replaced with open desks. This will increase their interaction on different levels.

 

5. Organise Events

Your employees can be good at some activities except work. They should get the chance to indulge either in dance or singing competitions. This will increase their productivity.

 

The next time you plan an event, keep all these points in mind.  They might help your team.

From shaping the society till reaching the moon, women have been proving that there is nothing that can stop them. The patriarchy and male chauvinism continuous to belittle women in every way from equal pay to their personal preferences. Why do we need one day to celebrate women’s day when each day we can celebrate ‘womanhood’. 

 

Workshaala has always been embracing efforts made by women. They are treated equally with respect, due diligence and are appreciated for their efforts. This women’s day, just to remind them how wonderful these women are. 

 

 

 

Here are our superwomen:

 

1. Sonika Goyel 

Our most affable and gregarious teammate is this lady who is the fresh breeze of a dull gloomy room. Once you talk to her, you won’t feel as you just met, she has this vibe which will give you a deja vu. We celebrate her positivity today. 

 

2. Somya Gupta 

One would be surprised by how much considerate a person can be like she is. Her impartial and sincere attitude makes her so likeable. Won’t you want to have a coworker who is very polite and loving?

 

3. Shwetha Samani 

There are still clean hearted people left for the sake of humanity. She is one of a kind, the most lovable, sweet and known for her generosity. 

 

4. Unika Mahade

Her quick-witted, dynamic, rebel attitude makes her the most courageous one. She has got your back always. Another trait that makes her different is her hard work. 

 

5. Komal Sinha 

She is the one who changes the mood of the room. A very light-hearted, bubbly, easy-going individual who is everyone’s buddy. Her absence is noticeable as she brings positivity. 

 

6. Chythanya Das 

A kooky, hilarious coworker is this lady who is the most amusing person one can know. Her energy level fluctuates, and you would never know when you started laughing. A great person to rely upon and to count on. 

 

7. Gayatri SA

Her passion for writing makes her whom she is today. She may be the rude one to call for but when one talks to her, they see a very jolly person. You give her good words and she make good verse.

 

8. Neethu Madhusoodhanan 

No matter what happens in a day, this lady will never lose a small calming smile that resides on her face. She is this lost soul in her own world, talk to her and you would be amazed. 

 

9. Ruchi Rai

She is the silent observer in the room who is fun-loving after one knows her completely. You would get to see a different person once you start to know her, she would be calm and jolly all at once. 

 

10. Harini Ramamurthy 

Many people here can listen to her for hours. A lady who is well versed with her words and her wittiness is something one looks forward to. 

 

11. Sunitha M

She is the one-woman army herself, if you give her jobs to multitask and she can show you what a woman can do. We celebrate this woman for her contribution and composed attitude. 

 

Here are our women and we wish them all a very happy women’s day. Celebrate this everyday and embrace your favorite women in your life.

Take a peek outside : Windows at Co-working Spaces

 

Natural light and access to big windows lead to a better day at work. Many companies have already realized the benefits of having as many windows and ventilation as possible. According to a few studies, good light can reduce the symptoms of eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision, all of which can reduce productivity. 

 

It is said that the workers who sit near a window have the daylight exposure show more productivity. Also, sitting all day under artificial fluorescent light in a windowless space can disturb the employee and can fuel a condition like seasonal Affective disorder (SAD). 

Here are some designs that can make your co-working space a better place :

1. Large Windows

Many windows around will never make you feel like you are stuck in a dark. The large and big windows around the perimeter, along with the lights above add to lot of natural light. 

2. Park Bench 

We all know how soothing park strolls are. What if we work in such a calm and soothing environment? When one works in the cozy nook next to the floor to ceiling arched window, feels as if you are outside on a park bench. A break to watch people outside is also important while you continuously work. 

 

3. Big Entrances

Big windows work great as sprawling entrances, where you can fix meetings or make your clients wait so that they can enjoy the view outside. Four walls make any space very boring but adding big windows entrances makes a room lively. 

 

4. Terrace at work 

Some office gives veranda vibes where if you step into a common area, the curved shaped room and floor to ceiling windows relaxes members while they take a break from the monotonous work. 

 

5. Greenhouse effect 

Some places which are in cold countries, often choose these types of windows which give greenhouse effect. They make the premise warm and vibrant. 

6. Stained 

A pop of color often or stained glasses are more vibrant and interesting than those boring old windows. A design or just mosaic print can make it very different and one can know the focal point of the space. 

Characteristics of New-Age Innovative Workplaces

 

When you get to hear about office spaces, there are things that would make you ponder like, traditional setup, a cubicle, old ways of working, etc. We have seen a whole new revolution of offices and changing of workplaces into much more community oriented. 

 

At current workplaces, we get to see vibrant, colorful, no cubicles and increased productivity. Technology has played a very important role when it comes to changing the way we look at workspaces now. 

 

The rat race has just begun, and workplaces are giving best experiences to its members. Here are some characteristics that might help you create an innovating workplace. 

 

1. Dynamic spaces 

Dynamic spaces also mean productive and flexible spaces which are important aspects of current workspace scenarios. Colorful ambiences, lightweight furniture, comfy chairs and tables, all lead to a dynamic workspace where members are much more comfortable and can focus on their work rather than worrying about other things. 

 

2. Updated Technology 

Everything today is connected to technology and we are very dependent. This has been one of the most important reasons to see how we work. Technology like updated, bio-metric, printers, scanners, etc are basic amenities in the workplace. AI and automation have already made its way and proved its worth when we talk about smart offices. 

 

3. Supporting Diversity

There are all kinds of age groups, like four generations that comprise of a workplace. They have different thinking and personalities. The diversity will help managers to get a unique and diverse environment. An office space that is mildly rich in culture and thinking is good for creating contacts, where each one can learn many things. 

4. Continuously evolving

A good business marks continuous evolving. Evolving in terms of technology, policies which help a business grow.  A workplace is meant to foster creativity and productivity for the employees, and it is generally the manager’s responsibility to take steps that would benefit the employees. 

 

Workshaala makes sure, its workplaces have all these characteristics.

Flexible work hours are becoming a trend in today’s work culture. There would be some challenges that might arise when you offer flexibility in the working hours, to your employees. It is not only the employees that would like to get rewards from this concept, as they would be benefitted in various ways. 

If you are an employer who is thinking if or not to make your workplace flexible, here are some advantages of flexible work timings that might help you to come up with a better decision. 

 

1. Increased Productivity 

Flexible working hours lead to increased productivity among the employees. According to reports, 60 per cent of HR have noticed an increase in work productivity. This is very beneficial for any kind of business. More productivity leads to more completion of work. 

 

2. Employee Loyalty 

If your employee is happy with the working hours, he/she wouldn’t have to find reasons to take unnecessary leaves. If they feel loved and if their needs are fulfilled, they would be loyal. In the case of unexpected issues, sometimes the employee might have to work from home too. 

 

3. Health and Happiness

Employees often complain about stress, a flexible schedule can create an environment that reduces stress. This initiative has helped employees get better sleep and increase their energy level.  Emotional exhaustion psychological distress, work-life conflict of the employees also reduces. Hence, the quality and quantity of work increases with better efficiency.

4. Easy Commute 

Employees can plan their work and their day accordingly where they can both work from home and office. This helps them avoid traffic stress up to some extent, which might keep them in a good mood. Hence, they can commute easily and escape peak hours. 

 

Make sure to choose a place where you get the flexibility in work hours. This would maintain a balance in your life and work.