Month

December 2019

With 2020 right around the corner, it’s time to start making New Year’s resolutions. Implementing a few small changes can help to accomplish your personal goals both in and out of the workplace.  While thinking about what you want to achieve in the upcoming year, consider adding the five work goals below to your list.

Get Organized

The start of the year is an ideal time to tidy up your workspace and implement new systems. Clean out your desk drawers, file your digital documents and try out a new task software to keep on top of assignments. Getting organized will help relieve stress and make you a more efficient worker in the upcoming months.

Learn a New Skill

Regardless of your field, there are always new things you can learn to benefit your career. Taking a continuing education class at a local college or an online webinar will help to increase your skill base and advance your career. If it can enhance your work at your current job, your company might even be willing to pay for it!

Increase your Network

Networking is a great way to meet other professionals in your industry and stay on top of what’s happening in your field. Whether you join a professional organization, attend a conference or become more active on LinkedIn, creating professional connections will help to grow your industry knowledge  and resources.

Update your Resume

Even if you have no plan to switch jobs this year, review your resume to see if everything is accurate and up-to-date. This is helpful to have ready for client proposals, when applying for a board or committee position, or if a business opportunity presents itself. Make sure your headshot is also current and uploaded to your online profiles.

Be Healthier at Work

Many New Year’s resolutions are health based and since you spend a lot of your day at work, implementing changes at the office will help you to achieve your goals. Simple things like packing a nutritious lunch, taking a lunchtime walk or testing out a standing desk are easy changes to create a healthier workday.

Implementing these small changes can help you to achieve your professional goals, arm yourself with resources and become a more valuable employee.  We wish you a healthy and happy New Year!

The holiday season is a busy time! While you may be focused on finding the perfect recipe for your holiday gathering or shopping for gifts, remember to set up a few automated messages at work to notify customers of your business’s modified hours and closures. Be sure to include information on your personal vacation time as well if you are taking extra days off to travel and spend time with family.

Send an Email Notification

Compose an email for all your customers notifying them of any changes to your hours or schedule over the holidays. You can combine the information with your ‘Happy Holidays’ message to eliminate additional messages in their inboxes.

Schedule an Automatic Response

Set an out of office email with a notice of the days you will be gone as well as the days your business will be closed. If your business has extended or shortened hours around the holidays, include that information as well. You can also add a message to your signature to notify customers in the days leading up to the closures.

Change your Phone Message

Update the main phone line at your business to inform customers of your holiday hours and closures. Adding a reminder message in the days leading up to closures will help customers to plan ahead.

Edit your Google Listing

The hours on you Google business listing can be updated to reflect different hours of operation. This will be very helpful if you are a retailer or restaurant so patrons can plan their shopping to holiday meals.

Post a Notice Online

Be sure to include a notice on your website the days your business will be closed. If customers will be shopping on your website for gifts, include clear deadlines for orders to arrive before the holidays. Post holiday hours on your social media accounts as well to inform customers of closures.

With these quick updates, your customers will know what to expect from your business and you can focus on holiday festivities! As a reminder, Keeney’s will be closed December 24-25, December 31 and January 1.

With 2020 quickly approaching, the Pantone Color of the Year has been announced as “Classic Blue.” The mellow, rich blue relays a sense of peace and calmness, providing a dependable and stable foundation for the new year. Follow the trend and incorporate Classic Blue into your office space to create a tranquil atmosphere.

Furniture Pieces

While the color of the year is typically trendy, this timeless color will be around for years to come so it is safe to incorporate it into your office color scheme in more “permanent” applications. Office chairs, lounge furniture and storage pieces are typically available in a variety of fabrics and finishes and are a fun way to add a pop of color.

Artwork

While artwork can be a financial investment, it is easy to change if you get tired of it or decide it looks outdated. By keeping the rest of your office in neutral tones, the color in your artwork will stand out and take center stage.

Accent Pieces

To incorporate color without the commitment, add accent pieces like rugs, throw pillow and planters to keep your color scheme up-to-date and trendy. Office supplies also come in a variety of colors and are an inexpensive way to add color.

Start the new year in a calm state of mind by integrating “Classic Blue” tones into your office. Reach out to our design specialists to start incorporating color into your workspace today!

As open-plan offices become more popular, many of us are used to working in a crowded space and dealing with excessive office noise. Open spaces can be beneficial for collaborating with others, but for focused work, they can often hinder productivity. Here are a few ways to minimize noise and make your office a productive place to work:

Install Acoustical Panels

Hanging acoustical clouds from the ceiling or mounting acoustical panels on your walls will help to absorb noise and control sound reverberation. With a large variety of shapes, colors and sizes available, these fixtures can also double as art and add pops of color to your space.

Purchase a Sound Masking System

While the concept of adding more noise may seem counter-productive, adding consistent, low-level ambient noise to the workplace makes it harder to hear side conversations that can be distracting.

Add Floor Coverings

Adding rugs or carpet squares to concrete or tile flooring is an easy way to minimize noise in your space. Like acoustical panels, the fabric will help to absorb sound and make office chatter less distracting.

Designate Quiet Workspaces

Products like phone booths and meeting pods will allow employees to get away from all the noise to make phone calls, have private conversations and get focused work done.

With a few simple steps, you can make your office a great place to get work done. For more ideas on minimizing noise, contact Keeney’s team of Furniture Specialists!

 

*Pictured: EzoBord Work Zone Divider