The modern office and workplace is constantly evolving. From new technology and employee-friendly policies to innovative decor and open floor plans. Here are four components of today’s successful modern workplaces:

1. First Impressions

The overall appearance of a modern office space has a huge impact on how both clients and employees perceive the business, writes Ariana Bianchi for The Human Equation, adding that it can directly affect your company’s ability to recruit top talent. Bianchi recommends keeping your entryway inviting, clean, attractive and free of defects, like stained carpet or holes in the walls. For a reception area, have comfortable seating for potential clients and new hires.

In addition to comfy seating, use your entryway space to display fish tanks or LED backdrops with your company logo to make a positive first impression. You should also consider placing the latest technology in the reception space, like an OLED TV. According to The Dig, these new televisions are the most sophisticated to date and have been widely adopted by tech buffs. This new addition could make a positive first impression in startup offices or tech-centric agencies. Bianchi concludes that creating a pleasant work space turns a good first impression into a lasting impression.

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2. Open Floor Plans vs. Productivity

Many modern offices have adopted an open floor plan, in hopes that it might spark creativity and enhance both communication and collaboration. In 2014, 70 percent of offices had no partitions or very low partitions in the office, according to International Facility Management Association. However, new data shows that open office settings can be detrimental to employee productivity. A study published in the “Journal of Environmental Psychology” found that nearly half of the employees surveyed said the lack of sound privacy was a big problem and 30 percent disliked the lack of visual privacy of the open office plan. Additional research from “The Academy of Management Journal” claims a sense of privacy boosts employee productivity. So, if your office is part of the 70 percent with an open floor plan, it may be time to trade it in for more private workspaces.

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3. The Latest Technology Trends

New technology benefits businesses in a wide range of ways. From adopting digital filing systems to improving communication, technology in the modern workplace aids in the success of employees and increases the bottom line. The BYOD trend, for example, allows employees to work from their own personal devices. Additionally, in some cases, the adoption of BYOD can save the business technology budget. Other trends, like video conferencing, bring together remote workers and freelancers by connecting them to employees in the home office without having to pay for travel fees. Cloud computing also makes sharing and accessing files on the go more efficient.

4. Modern Office Policies

In 2014, Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, announced a new policy that allows for his 170-person staff to take as much vacation as they please. About 3 percent of businesses in the U.S. offer unlimited vacations similar to Branson’s, according to Business News Daily.

Shockingly, a poll from Glassdoor reveals that the average American employee on takes half of his or her eligible time off. However, studies show that vacations lead to happier, healthier and more productive employees. Evernote even rewards its workers who take a week or more off with $1,000 spending money. If you have the right people and this type of benefit aligns with your company culture, it may just be the smartest business decision you’ll ever make.

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This article is published by Will Sherwood | The Sherwood Group |Website Design | Graphic Design | Marketing Communications: The Sherwood Group has over 30 years of experience working with all sorts of companies, small and large. Our clients range from entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 firms, in nearly every business sector, from across the street to around the world (and yes, even Europe, China, and South America). Our goal is to create advertising,  graphic design, website design, and marketing communication that still looks fresh and relevant 10-15 years later. Our mission is to stir your imagination and leave your competition shaken and wondering,  Now what do we do?”  We are located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

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