3 Ways Leaving the Office Boosts Business Productivity

Leave the Traditional Office for Business Productivity

As more businesses catch up with emerging technology and workers’ demands for flexibility, the traditional 9-to-5 workweek has only become more obsolete. In fact, working a consistent 8 hours a day, 40 days a week seems to be a rarity these days. Parents parcel their workdays between chores and doctor’s appointments. Additionally, young professionals want to adjust their work schedules to accommodate their bustling social lives.

There are so many benefits to remote work. It follows that businesses with outdated flex policies may still clutch onto more structured, traditional work schedules. But a resistance to change could be costing those businesses in employee productivity. If you’re wondering how to boost productivity by shifting your business from traditional hours to a more flexible approach to time, here are a few things to consider.

1. The ability to work where you want

Maybe it’s your uncomfortable swivel chair. Or perhaps it’s the loud laugh-er in the cube down the lane. Whatever daily distractions you encounter at the office, can have a significant effect on your business productivity. Because remote workers have the ability to choose where they work, they often yield higher levels of productivity—upwards of 35 to 40 percent—when compared to those stuck in an office.

On top of creating their own work environments, flexible workers avoid daily stressors. They don’t have to deal with the stress of their morning commute. Nor do they have to fit personal appointments around time at the office or regimented work schedules. All of this contributes to a healthier and ultimately more productive workforce.

2. Access to technology with a worldwide reach

Until relatively recent years, businesses couldn’t offer off-site work solutions even if they wanted to. That was mostly due to a lack of technology and resources. Without access to powerful connectivity and tools, businesses couldn’t fathom flexible or work-from-home arrangements. The only option to communicate effectively was face-to-face.

Today, large businesses, startups and even entrepreneurs have access to affordable tools like web conferencing, chat channels and collaboration platforms. The world has become smaller due to software that provides worldwide connections. These robust tools allow all team members to easily connect regardless of location.

As an example, many organizations with dispersed teams in both on-site and off-site locations have converted to a unified communications tool to better connect internally and externally. This piece of technology, along with many other services that use the internet to connect global teams, often comes with built-in online security measures, making it a great way to ensure that remote team members are communicating on secure business networks.

3. The rise of the coworking space

Designed to offer the same functionality of the typical office, coworking spaces are a relatively new business phenomenon. While they initially attracted freelancers and entrepreneurs, small businesses and remote workers have begun flocking to these communal areas to boost their productivity. As opposed to the traditional workplace, coworking environments have a strong emphasis on collaboration and community. Each has an extremely positive effect on new innovations, productivity, and work efficiency.

In fact, coworking spaces go so far as to encourage idea-sharing outside of organizations. Other businesses or individuals sharing the space have the opportunity to collaborate and connect during lunch or coffee breaks. There are always options to create even informal meetings. Therefore co-working spaces can be especially beneficial when you need to gain new insights or perspectives on business problems. If you can’t seem to solve business problems with your normal solutions, perhaps it’s time to consider a co-working space.

How will you increase your business productivity?

If you currently work outside of a traditional office setting, how does your new environment affect your business productivity? Share your insights in the comments section below, and be sure to check out our other articles on promoting a more productive business!