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Go to www.stylemybiz.ca to enter the contest, see the prizes, and cheer for businesses

Your workspace may not seem like a big deal, but it can greatly influence the work that you do and there’s even science behind how to get the perfect workspace. It plays a role in the culture of your work environment, influences your productivity, and inspires (or discourages) your creativity.

“Investing in yourself, via a space that inspires you, is an investment in your business.” – Dayna Winter

In an interview for our Canadian Entrepreneur Series, Sam Finan of SRS Print Management Inc. said, “People have this idea that running a business is working on a beach somewhere” but we know that entrepreneurs have all different kinds of workspaces, so we’ve gathered some tips for improving your ‘office’, wherever that may be.

Side note: if you actually work from a beach, you need to share your story here.

If You Work in an Office  

Being cooped up all day can be tough, especially if you have a small office space. It’s important to get out, take walks, stretch, and do whatever else you need to. We like to have weekly off site meetings to stir things up. But if you don’t get the opportunity to step out, here are some tips for your space within the office:

• Get an ergonomic chair and keyboard
• Hang mirrors to brighten up the area and make it appear more spacious
• Add your own personal touches, such as pictures, plants, and inspirational quotes to make it your own
• Try an open concept to collaborate with your team  
• Provide a space for your employees to take a break and have some fun (we have a pool table; it’s as awesome as it sounds and actually improves workplace morale)

Follow @411dotca on Instagram to see what our workplace culture is like.

If You Work from Home

A study by Regus determined that one of the top 5 reasons people get distracted when working from home is a lack of a proper workspace. Check out this post on how to design the ideal home office.

Home office ideas:

• Again, one of the most important things is having ergonomic furniture, your body will thank you
• Separate your work and personal space—working from bed is tempting but you’ll be more productive elsewhere
• Get away from the TV—unless you really want to test your willpower
• Organize your cords
• Pick a space with good lighting—preferably natural light to increase productivity  
• If you meet with clients from home, have a designated space and consider a separate entrance
• Improve your storage (Check out this link for how-to get creative with your organization)

If Your Workplace Changes Every Day

If you’re like Luca Lombardo of DRL General Contracting, your ‘office’ is always different.

How to stay organized while working on the go:

• Invest in a good bag and binder to keep all your important documents safe on your commute to work
• Get a good lunchbox so your lunch stays fresh wherever you go (check out these 40 Grown-Up Versions of the Lunchbox for inspiration)
• If you rely on your phone for work, get a portable charger for those times you don’t have access to an outlet
• Get a stainless steel water bottle to keep your water cool on the road and on site

If You Use a Co-working Space

Whether you call the library, local coffee shop, or a rented co-working space your office (Agile Offices has office space for rent in Toronto), working in a shared space means you need to be on top of organization.

Tips for working remote:

• Download apps like Slack and Skype to stay connected with your team
• Pick up some noise cancelling headphones
• Find a spot with stable and secure Internet connection
• Choose an area with good lighting, preferably by a window
• Try out a couple of places until you find which one works best for you

Bonus Tip: Enter the StyleMyBiz Contest!

A workplace redesign is one of the many StyleMyBiz prizes for the grand prize winner. The package includes:

• A slick office desk and chair or new boardroom table and chairs (depending on the size of your company)
• 42’ TV monitor
• Mini bar fridge
• Mini water cooler
• Espresso coffee maker

Enter the StyleMyBiz contest for a chance to win $50K worth of prizes, including this workspace revamp, or nominate your favourite local business to win.

At the end of the day, your workspace needs to inspire your work, whatever that may be. If you follow these tips you’ll be on your way to a better workplace environment.

Go to www.stylemybiz.ca to enter the contest, see the prizes, and cheer for businesses

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