Improving Small Business Productivity During an economic slowdown - Improve Your Business Floor Plan

The unstable state of the economy has caused many small and emerging businesses to put on the job of improvement, expansion or relocation plans on hold. As a result, some employers may feel the pinch of operating under less than ideal, including the cramped environment of employees, inventory or not enough storage space and areas for visitor minimal or nonexistent.

The answer to this dilemma would be to take a new look at the configuration of the top overall business plan. Companies that have used only a relationship of "bodies per square meter" to calculate the number of box office or production workstations are often surprised when the original layout is reassessed. Taking into account the less obvious factors, may be surprising that efficiency is improved or how much space is recovered.

Some additional factors include:

Nature of work - Think of the interaction that will be needed between different employees, and putting people in closer proximity to each other. This reduces traffic on foot as well as the tendency to have conversations across distract other workers or cubicle walls. If you can people effectively, as a working group activities in a common area, which can also save space.

Perimeter space - Assess the use of perimeter space around the workstation or cabins. Photocopiers and fax machines are easily accessible? Would save time and the distance of travel to have feeding stations in two or three different areas? There is an easily navigable route for staff and visitors passing through the office, which will minimize the distraction of employees?

Welcoming visitors - Even if a company does not have a lot of direct customer traffic, it still needs a special waiting area for visitors, including suppliers, vendors or job applicants. No separate room set aside for this traffic? Define the receiving area can be easily accomplished by creating a wall along the cubicle behind the reception desk, establishing a sense of privacy and in that space and office space or production area behind.

The reception area does not need to be massive and sumptuous. It can be as simple as a few chairs and a table with trade publications. If there is space, includes a display of farm products or information on services. It 'important to present a professional appearance to all visitors, including potential employees.

Ask your employees to make constructive suggestions and to participate actively in the process of reconfiguration. They know better than anyone which can present challenges to current job, and the opportunity to brainstorm together and find creative solutions will be a morale booster for everyone.

You Lemons - 2008 ......