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Practical Tips for a Productive Workspace at Home

Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • Jan 15, 2024

With many people now working remotely or taking on a hybrid role, having a productive workspace at home has now become essential for the majority of employees. A separate workspace will allow you to focus on work and get more productive. Here are our practical tips for a productive workspace at home.

 

Minimise Distractions

Above all, your home workspace should minimise any unnecessary distractions to allow you to focus on your work and be at your most productive. If you need quiet whilst you work, your priority might be to create a space in the quietest part of your home. Sometimes just the fact that you are at home allows people to interrupt you whilst you are working so having an area where you can close the door and separate yourself if necessary could be essential for you.

 

Gather Your Equipment

As we settle into new styles of working, the kitchen table just doesn’t make the cut anymore. Don’t make do just because you are working from home. Treat your workspace seriously and design your space in a similar way to a traditional office with a desk, ergonomic chair or everything you need to carry out your work effectively and do your job to the best of your ability whilst avoiding any strain or injuries.

 

Get Organised

As humans, we can rarely work in a messy and unorganised space. Try to keep your designated workspace free from unnecessary clutter or anything that doesn’t add to your productivity during the day. Organise your space so that it makes sense to you and ensure everything you need regularly in your workday is within reach.

 

Personalise It

Personalisation means something different to everyone. Some might like photographs of their family nearby to keep them motivated, others might like a place they can hear music to keep them focused. Whatever helps you to get through the working day, consider adding it to your home office to bring it to life and make it practical for you.

 

Seek out Natural Light

If your home allows it, try to get your office space or desk as near to a window as you can. Natural light sources can aid productivity and prevent you from getting too lethargic whilst Increasing your energy levels and reducing eye strain. If you can’t get close enough to natural light, consider a lamp which mimics daylight.

 

Will you soon be moving into a home based office? We hope our tips have helped you idealise the most effective space for you. If you are currently looking for employment, our team can help get you on the right track. Contact us here to speak to our team or browse our current job vacancies here.

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What Qualities to Look for in a Candidate

by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 25 Apr, 2024
With so much talent out there, it’s not always easy to find the perfect candidate for your current vacancies. If you want to avoid a high staff turnover and get the perfect candidate in your team from the off and watch them grow, here are some initial qualities to look out for in your next round of hiring. Leadership There’s no limit to the heights a candidate could reach in your business and it’s often those who start at the bottom who end up working their way up through the ranks. Whilst your current candidate might not be at that level yet, it’s worth looking out for signs early on that will make them an excellent leader in the future. Honesty & Integrity This one goes without saying, you need someone you can really trust to take on a role within your business. Whilst it’s not always evident in the interview stage whether you can really trust a candidate, you will usually find evidence of this when you investigate references and ask questions about the candidates previous roles. Dependability Just like trust, you need someone working within your business who is dependable and does what they say they are going to do. An employer’s nightmare is someone who is regularly late for shifts or worse, doesn’t turn up at all. There are some early signs you can look for here; Was the candidate on time for their interview? How long did they work for their last employer? Do they switch jobs often?  Competency Lastly, is your candidate competent in the job you are expecting them to do? If you are hiring someone straight out of college, maybe they aren’t quite ready for a leadership role. Does the candidate have proven track record of managerial experience? Maybe they won’t be quite suited to a more junior position. As always, it’s important to ask questions and really get to know your candidates in your interviews to maximise the chances of you getting the right employee for your business. If you are new to interviewing, check out our blog ‘3 of the Best Questions to ask any Candidate’ to maximise your time and really get the most out of your next interview. If you need further support as an employer, we have you covered. From advertising your latest role to our audience to matching you with the perfect employee, we would love to help. Contact our team here.

LinkedIn Poll Results - April 2024

by Simon Clark • 18 Apr, 2024
At Shepherd Stubbs Recruitment, we are committed to understanding the intricacies of workplace dynamics and what drives employee performance. Our April 2024 LinkedIn poll asked a crucial question: "What’s your biggest motivator at work?" We are grateful for the excellent response and thank everyone who participated and shared the poll with their connections. The results reveal a diverse set of motivators that underscore the complexity of employee engagement today. Leading the pack was 'Work-Life Balance' with 31% of the vote, indicating that employees are increasingly valuing the ability to effectively manage their professional and personal lives. This trend highlights the importance for employers to offer flexible working conditions that support a healthier work-life integration. Both 'Recognition/Praise' and 'Financial Incentives' tied at 25%, reflecting a classic yet evolving understanding that both acknowledgment and monetary rewards play significant roles in motivating employees. Recognition and praise show employees that their efforts are valued, boosting morale and productivity. Simultaneously, financial incentives continue to be a powerful motivator, underlining the need for competitive compensation structures. 'Career Opportunities' was also a key driver, with 19% of respondents indicating that the prospect of advancement and professional growth is a crucial motivator. This result points to the necessity for organisations to cultivate clear career paths and development opportunities to retain ambitious employees. These insights are invaluable as they highlight the varied and complex factors that motivate today’s workforce. We leverage this understanding to help our clients attract and retain the right talent, aligning our strategies with the evolving needs and motivations of the workforce. Remember, in a changing job market, it’s all about the right people, and knowing what moves them is the first step towards success. If you would like to talk to the team about placing a new candidate, get in touch here .
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