How the Office Breakroom Has Evolved
The term ‘office breakroom’ still conjures up visions of a standard-issue water cooler, a bowl of candy, and a few rogue appliances that work half the time. Staff would not opt to gather in the breakroom, but rather duck out for a cup of coffee or sandwich. Now, employers are creating awesome breakrooms that facilitate community, health, and wellbeing. Here’s a look at how the office breakroom has evolved throughout the decades.
Office Breakrooms of the 1990s
During the 1990’s, the office breakroom was usually an afterthought, pieced together with spare furniture after the entire office was designed and furnished. Breakrooms had a few tables, a vending machine, and a microwave where employees could heat up leftovers. Beige, neutral tones, and uncomfortable seating took center stage. People often worked in the city and went out for lunch or coffee breaks instead of lingering around the office. The office, and its breakroom, was not typically a fun place to hang out.
Company Culture Shifts
In the early 2000s, as the tech boom took off, companies began looking at how they could foster work-life balance and support staff wellbeing. Interior designers identified the breakroom as an untapped resource that could boost morale, wellbeing, and productivity. Designers began implementing colors that had positive psychological effects, ergonomic seating, and complimentary coffee, healthy snacks, and a place to catch up with coworkers.
Modern Office Breakroom Design
Today, the office breakroom is often used as a selling point when hiring new employees. Breakroom offerings - like free catered lunch on Fridays, locally roasted coffee, and fresh farmstand fruit - can be some of the best perks and what new hires look for when determining where they want to spend 40 hours a week.
We’re starting to see breakrooms come alive and transform into more functional living spaces where people can relax, catch up with coworkers, or even host a small meeting in a more comfortable environment. Office designers are incorporating luxury furniture, natural materials, pretty light fixtures, and greenery to create a calm space that actually gives people a break from the day’s hustle and bustle.
Cafés Become the New Norm
In addition to the new living room-style breakrooms, some employers are setting up full coffee shops. Those who really want to woo staff can provide free drinks throughout the day, whereas others may consider some sort of incentivized discount system. Curating a coffee-shop vibe allows employees to step away from their daily work environments and physically make space between work and play.
Companies looking for an office interior redesign shoulder consider creating spaces that put people first and performance second. Creating a supportive and comfortable space that allows staff to feel cared for and at ease is more likely to endear people to your company and foster performance and productivity as a result.
EON Office partners with businesses to create a comprehensive plan for stocking offices with everything they need and nothing they don’t. We can help you create a welcoming breakroom that offers tasty snacks, delicious drinks, and more. Is your office in need of a breakroom revamp? Contact us today to learn more.
Inspirational Quotes for the Modern Manager
Managing a business year-round, through ups and downs, and especially during unprecedented times like we’ve experienced over the past two years can be incredibly tough. A modern manager must keep a business on its feet while continuing to care for staff. When work becomes trying again, turn to these little pieces of inspiration for a quick pick-me-up.
"Tend to the people, and they will tend to the business." --John Maxwell
As a manager, people should be your first priority. Modern managers can’t run a successful company alone; we all need help and encouragement. If you pour kindness, support, and encouragement into your staff, they will feel much more inclined to give to their daily tasks.
"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." --Warren Bennis
There are plenty of great visionaries that no one has ever heard of. The ones who find success and achieve incredible feats are the ones who were able to harness their vision and create a reality supportive of that vision. That way, you can work towards goals one step at a time.
"The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant." --Max DePree
This quote speaks volumes to the true job a leader is tasked with. Because our world is constantly evolving, a manager’s role and responsibility is to encourage and support in the way that best achieves the business’s goals. A manager is responsible for making sure staff knows what the goal or objective is, and collaborates with them to make it happen. Humility is a significant part of leadership, but can be challenging to actualize.
"Done is better than perfect." --Sheryl Sandberg
While many of us strive for perfection, occasionally this concept sabotages us. Modern managers are in a balancing act, and sometimes sacrificing perfection is the only way to get something done.
"Leadership is the art of giving people a platform for spreading ideas that work." --Seth Godin
Being a manager is about being a people person. If you are constantly pushing your ideas forward without consideration for others, staff will feel unheard, under-valued, and frustrated. Creating a safe space and offering a public platform in which employees can share ideas is one of the greatest strategies for encouraging collaboration and creativity.
"The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly." --Jim Rohn
A modern manager must walk a fine line between many traits in order to relate to their staff while also keeping a business profitable. It’s a challenging task that takes practice and humility.
"What you do has far greater impact than what you say." --Steven Covey
Show, don’t tell. If you want your employees to be dedicated, driven, and punctual, lead by example. It’s easier to follow someone who believes in what they are saying when those beliefs are put into action.
What does leadership actually mean for a modern manager role? It’s complicated and dynamic. However, one thing is certain: managers are called to be leaders and supporters of their staff. They are called to put others before themselves and foster positive relationships, boost morale, and captain a ship amongst changing winds and shifting tides.
EON Office supports business leaders so they can better do their jobs. With our convenient office supply delivery service, you won’t have to fret about running out of pertinent items. Stock the office (as well as remote employees) by providing products they can use anywhere. Contact us to learn more.
Benefits of Shared Workspaces for Employees
While many enjoyed some of the work-from-home perks, numerous studies have proven that full-time remote work contributes to feelings of loneliness, burnout, and stress. To facilitate creativity, warmth, and connection, employers may consider making space for a communal working area in their current office floor plan. Here are just some of the key benefits of creating shared workspaces for employees.
Foster Creativity
It’s hard to feel collaborative or inspired when spending multiple hours in a drab cubicle or staring at a divider adorned with to-do list sticky notes. Regardless of the industry, there’s a reason to foster creativity. Allowing and encouraging employees to come together in a comfortable atmosphere to discuss a current project or troubleshoot an issue helps a business succeed. It also helps employees feel valued. When there is a safe space to share ideas, people are more inclined to speak up, lean into innovation, and bounce ideas off of each other until they find the best solution.
Reduce Costs
If you’re considering cutting out the cubicle or corner offices entirely, you may be able to save on year-over-year expenses. Creating communal workspaces that offer comfortable seating and tables for both laptops and desktops can be more visually appealing, and one can invest money into high-quality, durable furnishings that will last, look good, and give staff the space they need to comfortably set up shop.
Flexible Working Hours
By creating a team mentality, rather than individual mindsets, companies can offer flexible working hours so staff will retain some of the autonomy they had when working from home. Generate a buzz around the communal workspace and encourage employees to use the space during their off hours or break time to work on personal passion projects. Work and life don’t have to be separate; they can support each other with the right intentionality.
Boost Morale
Humans naturally want to connect with each other. Curating a communal workspace will naturally draw staff into the fold, encouraging collaboration and inspiring friendship. Employees can then choose to work from their own individual workspace or join the group space when they are feeling social. Simply having this option shows staff that the company cares about their wellbeing and welcomes collaboration.
People want to feel like they are part of something great, not only just working for a paycheck. Creating a shared workspace for employees within the current office layout will help inspire creativity, encourage collaboration, and build trust. EON can help with all supply needs, including beautiful office furniture. Contact us today to learn more.
Tips for Keeping Remote Workers Productive
The pandemic may be mostly behind us, but remote work will remain in effect at some level for many of us. The struggle to stay focused while other things jockey for attention remains, regardless of the environment, and perhaps more so at home. Here are a few tips you can share with your remote workers to improve productivity and increase focus.
Clearly Communicate Expectations
The term ‘productive’ can have different meanings depending on the individual. Set weekly, or even daily goals, for employees so they are aware of the metrics they need to meet in order to be productive. Have team or individual meetings in which you discuss expectations and overall goals so employees are aware of how they can best contribute.
Encourage Health and Wellbeing
Despite best efforts, encouraging productivity and engagement will fall flat if your staff is unhealthy, feeling overworked, or lacking a work-life balance. Offer incentives to exercise, eat healthfully and take intentional breaks throughout the day. Consider hosting staff outings (that are outdoors or fitness-focused) a few times a month to bring remote employees together while creating positive habits.
Ensure Employees Feel Heard
If your company culture is one in which employees are able to share their thoughts, concerns, and hopes for the future, productivity and individual input will increase naturally. People want to work together and work hard for something they believe in. They will be more loyal, honest, and dedicated if they believe their company is dedicated to them. Create space via virtual meetings, phone calls, or even quarterly retreats where the staff can come together and participate in activities rooted in conflict resolution, vision casting, and team building.
Gamify Input
Recent studies have shown that gamifying a platform or activity for staff and customers can greatly increase engagement. This will look different depending on your industry, but many companies have created competitions surrounding daily tasks and even installed game-based software that allows employees to earn rewards based on productivity. This can be especially important for remote staff members who may feel like they are unable to attain a promotion or raise because they are not on the premises, making in-person connections and showing their work efforts first-hand on a daily basis.
Create Environments That Reduce Stress
Empower staff to create spaces in their own homes that reduce stress and increase focus. Provide literature on what makes a productive office space and consider offering gift cards to a home accessories store, or hosting a competition for the best-designed home office.
There are plenty of ways to increase productivity for remote workers, but focusing solely on supervision software, keyloggers, and the like won’t help build trust and rapport with your team. Consider shifting away from the overseeing, top-down method of management to collaboration and communication. The more seen and heard your employees feel, the more dedicated to the company they will be.
EON offers a large supply of office and technology products to ensure your staff has what they need to do their jobs effectively, wherever they are working. We can coordinate fast, reliable delivery tailored to your needs. Contact us today to learn more.
5 Small Indoor Plants for Your Desk
Houseplants are a great addition to any desk, with proven air-cleaning and productivity-boosting qualities. While there are many indoor plants to consider, limited growing room, lighting conditions, and plant care requirements all factor in when it comes to choosing the perfect plant. These pint-sized companions don’t need much more than a small planter, or even an oversized mug in order to flourish.
Snake Plant
Snake plants are some of the hardiest plants out there. They can be tucked into a dark corner, a bright window, or on a desk without worry. Snake plants, or Sansevieria, come in a variety of sizes, are very forgiving about water and light requirements, and are slow growers, so they can live on your desktop for years before outgrowing the space. Their tall, upright foliage looks striking in the office and acts as a natural air purifier in small spaces.
Pothos
Vining plants such as pothos, philodendron, and English ivy are popular for their elegant leaf structure and trailing habit. Pothos can be identified by their heart-shaped leaves. They are virtually unkillable, especially since they tend to droop dramatically when they need water, then perk right back up again. There are many different varieties of pothos, and most do well in smaller containers with low light conditions. To contain the vines as they lengthen, grow them upwards on a small plank or trellis.
Orchids
Orchids are notorious for being finicky growers, so this one is not for the faint of heart! While the plant itself is easy to maintain, there are specific growing conditions and food that most orchids need in order to bloom. Given enough indirect sunlight and strategic neglect, the stunning flowers can last for several weeks, making this a cheery addition to any desk.
Oxalis Triangularis
Also called wood sorrel or false shamrocks, Oxalis triangularis make great companions in both shady corners and sunny windows. Not overly fussy about water, false shamrocks will put out nonstop flowers in sunny spots, or remain as delicate, triangular greenery in shadier spots. This plant can be neglected for weeks and still bounce back quickly.
Pilea Peperomioides
This plant goes by many names, including the Friendship Plant, UFO Plant and Chinese Money Plant. No matter what you call it, Pilea peperomioides is a fast grower that can be easily divided and shared. With consistent watering and a little bit of filtered sunlight every day, you could quickly grow enough to share with the entire office! The coin-shaped leaves and woody stem give this plant a distinctly architectural look.
There are many ways to decorate your desk, but these indoor plants are perfect for small spaces and can handle the dry, climate-controlled conditions of a typical office environment. No matter which plant works best for you, don’t forget to pick out a good container! Contact us today for information on how we can elevate your office, from office supplies delivery to breakroom services.
Must-Have Promotional Products for Your Company
There are a lot of reasons to incorporate promotional products into your company’s marketing and event planning. Whether it’s a pen with your logo on it from the front desk, or a bag full of branded swag to remember a special occasion, people love free stuff and are likely to hold onto freebies for months after an event is over. The next time you find yourself shopping online for office supplies and event giveaways, elevate the occasion with these brandable products.
Glassware & Mugs
Color Gloss Mug: These 16-oz mugs are a cozy way to celebrate a milestone or stock a breakroom. Long-lasting and good for any occasion.
Real Leather Holder for Mason Jars: Elevate your brand with these leather-handled jar accessories. They are beautiful on display and perfect for just about any beverage.
20 oz. Yeti Tumbler: These quality Yeti tumblers are a must-have for any coffee or tea lover. The vacuum insulation keeps contents hot for hours, with an easy-to-clean magnetic slide closure on the lid.
Quality Electronic Accessories
Outdoor Wireless Speaker w/ Light: Active employees will love using this speaker on any adventure; great for camping, sitting by the pool, and more.
Portable Bladeless Fan: This thoughtful promotional option will keep recipients cool all summer long. It is portable, chargeable, and comes in multiple colors.
Lumina Jump Starter & Power Bank: Capable of starting 12V petrol and diesel cars and comes with more add-ons than a Swiss Army Knife, this handy device can also serve as a charger for most electronic devices. Perfect for stashing in the car, clients will appreciate this promo for years!
Organizational Must-Haves
Small Tech Organizer: Tech-lovers won’t know how they survived so long without this pouch. Stow and transport phone chargers, USB drives, and other essentials in this portable organizer.
Highlighter Stylus Pen: These classic ergonomic pens feature a twist-action ballpoint pen, neon yellow highlighter, and soft silicone stylus. Essential office tools such as these are great for branding and always useful at home or in the office.
Travel Diaper Bag: Parents on the go will love this stylish diaper bag! Complete with waterproof pockets and fits like a backpack, this brandable bag is guaranteed to see some mileage and generate compliments.
Using pens, mugs, and more to create memorable impressions is a smart way to complement your marketing strategy and get your brand name in front of more potential customers. EON specializes in essential online office supplies, along with other popular workplace products and services. Contact us today to learn about how we can help you find the perfect promotional products for your business.