The Happiness Factor

April 30th, 2013

How much does your employees’ happiness affect their productivity? You may be surprised to learn the correlation.

Do happy employees work harder? That’s what Gallup researcher James Harter finds to be true. Harter conducted a study that shows the link between employee feelings and corporate results, and how unhappy employees contribute to a lost productivity value of $300 billion in the US annually.

Besides the monetary consequences, it should be noted that happy employees are more creative and productive. On the flip side, unhappy employees show more inconsistency and produce low quality work.

If that’s the case, then managers should definitely focus on the well being of their employees. But how do you do that? First, you must understand what drives worker happiness.

The first thing that drives happiness is having fulfillment in the job. Naturally, fulfillment can vary from company to company, but the overall goal is the same: to take great value in what you do. The second component of happiness is to be appreciated. Workers need to know that their time and efforts are valued. They desire to receive recognition for a job well done. Lastly, happiness hinges on being able to share your successes with colleagues and customers. Success means nothing if it can’t be shared.

You know what component rarely makes the top three? Money. That may come as a surprise, but most people place higher value on being appreciated and enjoying their contributions with others than on making a lot of money.

As an employer, what can you do to facilitate happiness in your employees?

TRUST
If your employees trust you as a leader who will guide them with only everyone’s best interest in mind, they will be completely devoted to you. They will feel comfortable in their communication with you and be honest in their work ethic.

COMPANY VALUES
Take the time to make sure your employees understand your company’s values and mission statement. Be clear about the direction the business is headed, and check to see if everyone is on board with that direction.

FREEDOM
Give them space to do their job – don’t micromanage your employees.

RECOGNIZE STRESS AND WORK TO ALLEVIATE IT
Do your part to recognize when an employee may be struggling with something work or home related. Provide a safe space for them to communicate any problems they may be having, and create opportunities for them to relieve that stress. Maybe lightening up a work load for a short time, or giving a couple of extra days of vacation. This approach has a powerful impact because your employees see that they work in a supportive environment conducive to their well being, which facilitates fulfillment on the job.

Industries that tend to have the happiest people:

  • Education (real sense of making a difference in children’s lives)
  • Construction (can share the success of a completed project with others)

Industries that tend to have the unhappiest people:

  • Entertainment (gap in level of success)
  • Retail (no significant impact on customer)
  • Toll booth workers (this job lacks all three components of happiness)

Where does your company fall on the happiness scale? Have you taken into account the above points to ensure a happier workplace? We’d love to hear your comments below!

For information about a Washington DC Virtual Office, click here!

Prevent Wifi Hacking

March 30th, 2013

 

Let’s visualize a scene for a moment: you’re in a coffee shop, sipping your latte and getting some work done. You decide to take a break and browse some sites. You find an unsecure network (no password required) and click on that to have access to the web. You check your bank account, your email, and your Facebook page during this time.

Unfortunately, coffee shops are a common place where hackers dwell. Once you launch into any personal website containing confidential information (log ins and passwords), the hackers are able to access that same information. They are able to see all activity on your computer while it’s going through that unsecure network. Now imagine if you used the same password for all of your login information…the damage could be total!

How To Prevent Hacking

The most obvious step is to only use secure networks that encrypt your data. The encryption means that even if your account is broken into, the hacker will only see scrambled letters.

Another thing you can look for is to find a network that says “https” in the address. The “s” means SSL (secure socket layer) and that encrypts your data between the computer and the website you are surfing. Most major websites have this enabled.

So, in a nutshell, here are the 3 things you should be doing to ensure the safety of your information when surfing on an unsecure network:

  • Important tasks like online banking should be saved for home use only
  • Don’t connect to any public or unsecure networks (if you must, go ahead and shell out the few extra bucks for the paid option – it will be worth it!)
  • When using a WiFi network, always look for the websites that show “https” in the address bar

I hope this article has helped show you how to protect your sensitive information.

Metro Offices understands the importance of secure networks – especially since our data centers house all of your vital business documents. For more information about Metro Offices secure network, or to inquire about office spaces for lease in Washington DC, give us a call or leave a comment below!

Working Remotely From a DC Office Space – How To Get Your Boss To Trust You

February 22nd, 2013

 

Telework is nothing new these days, and it’s possible to work from any DC office space provided you have Internet access. Technology isn’t stopping you. Opportunity isn’t stopping you. But your manager may be. Getting your boss to understand the perks of working from a meeting room in Washington DC  can be a difficult task. And mainly it comes down to trust – does your boss trust you enough to get your work done when you aren’t under direct supervision?

If you’re having trouble convincing upper management to get on board, try these tips outlined below:

BE AVAILABLE

More than likely, your boss is concerned about not being able to get in touch should he need you. Make sure he has access to your calendar to know where you are at all times. If there is a meeting you don’t want to miss, you can use the state of the art video conferencing equipment at Metro Offices’ many DC area locations. It’s important to use technology to your benefit – show that you are available!

CONDUCT A FIELD TEST

This is a great way to ease into teleworking. In the beginning, just try it out for a couple days a week. Be sure to keep your colleagues and your boss in the loop via email or video conferencing. This way, together you all can work out the kinks and make improvements with very minimal commitment before the initial launch.

MONITOR YOUR RESULTS

Working remotely means you have to go the extra mile when communicating your performance to your boss. Give weekly updates, show him to do lists you have prepared, and all items completed so he knows where you stand on each project.

The important thing here is for your boss to understand the ease of the transition process, and how beneficial teleworking can be. Should an urgent work request arise, you can easily pop into any DC area Metro Offices location (9 to choose from!) and use an executive office, a meeting room, or the video conferencing equipment.

If you’re interested in learning more about using a Metro Office space for the day, contact us here!

Tips for Managers Who Telework

January 23rd, 2013

In 2013, the global mobile workforce is supposed to reach over one billion people. One billion. Don’t ask me how I know this, I just do. (Or, you can do a Google search and find out all sorts of interesting facts yourself.)

So with the population of remote workers increasing, it’s not a matter of whether or not your company will start allowing mobile workers. It’s more a question of “when”. No time like the present to get prepared. Preparation is key! Just like Alexander Graham Bell said, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”  The entire business model is moving towards mobility. Will your business be able to keep up?

Perhaps one of the biggest concerns managers have when it comes to allowing remote workers is not being able to manage employees who aren’t in the office. However where there is a problem, there is always a solution. Below are some steps you can take to stay consistent with your management policies, even if your employees aren’t right under your nose:

KEEP COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN
This is imperative! Regular weekly meetings to stay apprised of projects and weekly progress is a good place to start. Here’s a tip: start on time and keep them brief. When your employees realize they only have a limited amount of time to speak, they will become remarkably efficient with their words and their time. Need some help with meetings and conferences? Metro Offices video conferencing is a great way to accomplish this.

And make it fun! To encourage your employees to be on time to meetings, every month (or week or bi-week)you can have some sort of incentive. Maybe a gift card to Starbucks or a few extra hours of vacation.

HAVE CLEARLY DEFINED GOALS
Sit down and write out your projected plan for your remote workforce. This plan needs to have goals, and specific ways to measure progress on projects. Be sure to detail your objectives.

HAVE ON DEMAND SPACE READY
This is a no brainer! Of course you will need somewhere (other than their homes) to send your remote workers. Set up a DC meeting space here.

ASK FOR FEEDBACK
Feedback is great way to refine your ideas and help work out the kinks. Ask employees about their concerns with working remotely, and also why they may be in favor of it. Having their input can help immensely with a smooth transition.

KEEP CORPORATE CULTURE ALIVE
Now you need to be more aggressive with scheduling face to face time for colleagues. Be consistent with inviting everyone to company happy hours, team building days out, and holiday parties. This will help everyone socialize and network, which will strengthen their working relationships.

These suggestions are sure to help smooth out a potentially bumpy road. Hopefully it will give you peace of mind during transition time!

For more information about setting up a teleworking space, contact Metro Offices here.

Teleworkers Want Better Technology in 2013

December 14th, 2012

Well, we’re wrapping up a major year full of significant growth as far as teleworking is concerned. We’ve seen a steady rise in the number of teleworkers in our DC office spaces, in addition to a rise in their demands. Since more people are working away from the office now, they still want to be outfitted with current technology in order to maintain a high level of productivity.

TeamViewer (an online meetings software company) conducted a survey of 500 Americans who work from home part time or full time. From that survey, we learn:

-88% are more productive working from home
-45% want to be able to access their company desktops from home
-44% want access to files from mobile devices
-40% want to participate in meetings as if they are in the office
-39% want to be able to print remotely
-38% want to work on documents via screen sharing
-37% want video communication with other colleagues and clients

We can safely assume that these demands will be met. Telework from a DC office space is the new way of conducting business – not merely a passing trend.

“With the passage of the Telework Enhancement Act in 2010, and the Obama administration’s increased focus on telework and mobility, we expect that telework will continue to grow toward a culture where it doesn’t matter where employees are located,” said Cindy Auten, general manager at the Telework Exchange. “Because of increasing access to mobile devices and remote networks, we anticipate that telework will become the norm.” source

You can see evidence of this becoming the norm when comparing recent responses to natural disasters. The Snowpocalypse that hit the East Coast two years ago caused the entire DC area to be immobile for a week. Many businesses had a complete shutdown (and severe profit loss) because teleworking was still a baby idea trying to scratch the surface. Most employees weren’t set up with the ability to work from home.

Just two years later when Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, the number of teleworkers has jumped significantly. With power loss, flooding, and blocked roadways, it was impossible for almost everyone in the storm’s path to get to work. However this time, employees were able to log on from home and conduct business as usual through accessing their company’s virtual private networks and cloud computing.

Don’t let your business remain at risk - Contact Metro Offices here for getting started with teleworking today!

DC Meeting Spaces and Blended Workforces

November 16th, 2012

Blended workforces have become the new norm for most organizations across the country. Because of globalization, a typical company will now not only consist of full time employees, but also consultants and independent contractors who are necessary in the day to day continuity of business.

This isn’t a trend that will go away anytime soon, as it has proven to be a successful solution for companies to stay afloat during tumultuous economic times. The most important advantage to the blended workforce solution is that it allows organizations to possess a sense of flexibility in the business world like never before.

Why would a company choose to have an on-demand workforce?

Global Competition
New Technology and Products
Changing Business Strategies

An on-demand workforce gives companies a dynamic and ever changing pool of talent, where they can pluck, as needed, the people they require for each aspect of business. Basically, organizations can increase their skill set exponentially through having contracted workers. It’s a powerful way to stay ahead of the game globally by having a rotating set of talented workers. Businesses can be at the forefront of new technology and product development by hiring the best in those fields for research and development. And they can always ensure they have a healthy amount of young workers who bring fresh perspectives to the table when it comes to evolving business strategies (for example: the use of social media as a marketing tool is something the younger generation has a firmer grasp of, compared with older generations).

This is where Metro Offices comes in. Many of our DC meetings spaces consist of blended workforces. For our locally based government contractors, we provide a space with cutting edge technology and other workforce solutions to ensure your productivity is always maximized, and not subject to the fluctuations of the business world. You can choose from our executive spaces, a flex desk, or a wide range of telework solutions.

Our Blended Workforce Model will give you all the tools necessary to get your job done, while eliminating the cost and hassle of having your own office space. We have plenty of space and infrastructure to accommodate your business as it shrinks or expands, depending on how many employees you require. So, spend less money and gain more productivity!

Contact Metro Offices today to find out more about our Blended Workforce Model!

Washington DC Meeting Space For GenNext Media

November 16th, 2012

One of Metro Offices most loyal clients is GenNext Media, which began two years ago in the home office of founder and CEO Christ Marentis. What began as a one man operation quickly grew into a substantial company that required more space than the kitchen table could offer. What Chris needed was a prime DC office space.

Chris saw Metro Offices as the perfect option for his Washington DC office space. The outstanding technology that they provide in addition to convenient locations all over the DC Metro area were important components for growing his business. For Chris, the biggest determining factor was the instant credibility his company gained through having an office with Metro Offices. Not to mention the additional administrative services that he had access to without dipping into his company budget.

What makes Metro Offices stand out? For Chris, it is how the team at Metro Offices acts like an extension of his own team. He has a full administrative staff at his disposal, a professional receptionist answering his business phone calls, and the personal attention he would expect from his own colleagues. They make it a point to get to know your business right away, so they can serve you in the most efficient way possible. According to Chris, this is what makes Metro Offices stand out from their competitors.

Metro Offices has been paramount in accommodating GenNext Media as they grow. Not only can they add more office spaces as needed, but they are on the cutting edge of technology and office space solutions which means that GenNext is able to connect to people from all over the globe, and project an image of being larger than they actually are, without having to fork over thousands of dollars in the process.

In the video, Chris mentions how important the meeting rooms are to his business. He had been preparing for a big investor meeting for several weeks when the night before he realized he didn’t have any printed copies of the presentation. This sent him into a panic, as he realized he didn’t have time to do it himself ,but the copies were necessary should something go wrong with the slideshow. He sent an email to the office manager at Metro Offices, asking her if she could make some copies for him. She immediately took care of the issue, also inquiring if he needed color and if he wanted the books bound as well.

It’s that special attention to customer service that keeps clients like GenNext Media loyal to Metro Offices.

Watch the full video here.

DC Office Space for Government Contractors

October 31st, 2012

As a government contractor, flexibility, mobility and scalability are important factors when it comes to selecting a DC office space from where to work.

Apart from that, you are also representing the federal government. It’s imperative that you put forward an air of professionalism and flawless service, while also having the opportunity to work quickly and efficiently to complete your projects.

The team at Metro Offices has spent years building a company that provides those exact specifications you need: cutting edge technology coupled with ease of scalability available at various offices sprinkled throughout the Metro DC area. These reasons are why so many government contractors hire us to prep an office space for their team.

Jamie Jackson, Metro Offices head for our federal division, shares more insight in this video about the benefits government contractors receive when they opt for our turnkey DC office space solutions.

Jamie specializes in taking the infrastructure of Metro Offices to the federal government, so that they can easily outsource their workplace solutions. This option enables agencies to begin work immediately. To demonstrate the power of having an office space ready to go, Jamie recalls a situation recently where the VA had a need for an office space on very short notice. They enlisted the help of Metro Offices. Metro Offices was able to build and equip a facility for 189 people in 90 days, a feat that would have taken 2.5 years in the more traditional process of leasing and building out a space. The results were massive productivity gains for the agency since they had minimal downtime waiting on a facility. This is a huge economical advantage for the federal government.

If you try to do this all on your own, know what you’re getting into: once you to select a building, then you must negotiate with the owner, provide a design that meets the requirements of the contract, have downtime for any build outs, and furnish your space with furniture, fixtures, and IT equipment. If that’s not in your timeline (or budget), you can save yourself this hassle and let Metro Offices take care of everything for you. All that is required from you is to show up and start working!

Services we offer:

  • Telework
  • FlexDesk
  • Temporary Office Space (ideal for government contractors)
  • Scalability
  • Remote Office Solutions (work from home or from a client’s office)
  • See more options here 

Contact Metro Offices today for more information on getting started with your turnkey workplace solutions.

 

Meeting Space in Washington DC

September 26th, 2012

If you are a home based entrepreneur, you understand the importance of having a professional DC meeting space in which to have meetings with clients or conduct interviews. I explain in detail here and here how Metro Offices can help your small business. But if you simply just need a meeting room in Washington DC, using Metro Offices is your ideal choice.

Metro Offices DC meeting spaces are fully equipped and turn key ready to host any size meeting you may require. We have the most current technology, including video conferencing if some of your meeting attendees will be remote.

What are the benefits of using a meeting space in Washington DC? First, it eliminates a costly investment in state of the art technology. Not to mention, you don’t need to fork over costs for a lease or a construction build out to suit your needs. We have a professional and technology ready room for use as needed, whether that’s once a week or once a month!

Metro Offices has on-site team managers who are there to assist with the technical aspects of your meetings and ensure your conferences are hassle free.

To make it even easier, you can make your DC meeting space reservations online.

Your DC meeting space reservation comes with the following:

  • Flip charts
  • Web/audio/video conferencing
  • Beverage and catering services
  • Dedicated bandwidth
  • Ergonomic Herman Miller seating
  • High speed internet
  • Polycom speaker phone
  • Wireless internet
  • On site admin support
  • LPR projector
  • Attendee  registration support
  • High resolution overhead projector
  • Color copiers/printers/scanner
  • White boards
  • Kitchen/lounge, vending, coffee, spring water

If you are interested in learning more about how a DC meeting space can help your business, contact Metro Offices right now!

DC Office Spaces – Which is Best for your Business?

August 23rd, 2012

When you’re a teleworker, there comes a time when you must decide which kind of DC office space is best: a private office or virtual office. Do you simply need a company “presence” at a prestigious address, or does your DC meeting space need to be something more permanent for meeting clients on a regular basis? Do you only need a professional receptionist answering your phone calls, or do you want a full administrative staff to help you with your daily office tasks?

It’s easy to get lost in the details. So hopefully, the following information will help you make the best decision for your DC meeting space!

When a private office may be ideal:

Consider getting a private office if you regularly hold meetings with clients and require a private space on a fairly frequent basis. Metro Offices offers spaces that will allow you the flexibility to come and go as you please during a 40 hour work week. We have private offices where you can easily maintain the stability of having your own space, without being locked into a lease. All of our spaces are in Class A buildings with fully furnished reception areas and access to executive lounges with gourmet coffee and water.

Here are a few features you can count on when you have a private office with Metro Offices:

  • Private, fully furnished office
  • Telephone line with rollover line
  • Fax line
  • High speed wifi
  • Voicemail
  • Cisco router/firewall
  • Executive Café and Beverage Service
  • Furnished reception area
  • Janitorial services

For a complete list, click here.

An executive office space is ideal for clients who wish to have the presence of an office space without the added expenses of buying furniture, building out a space, investing in new technology and other general maintenance fees that come with a lease.

When a virtual office may be a better solution:

Say you don’t really need an actual office space on a regular basis, but you do want the prestige of a swanky address to put on your business cards. And you want a professional receptionist answering your business calls. Virtual offices are ideal for clients who don’t require a private office but wish to appear “bigger” than what their home office suggests.

Other perks come with having a virtual office – Metro Offices provides private meetings rooms on demand, which gives you the flexibility to be productive when away from your home office. It also allows you a professional space for meeting clients. Need to send a fax? No problem. You can use our Business Services Center freely where our helpful staff is available to assist you.

Some more virtual office features:

  • Full mail service
  • Business address
  • Virtual receptionist and phone answering service
  • Meeting rooms
  • Guest office availability
  • Virtual club business lounge (wifi access, telephones, coffee bar)

Get the full list here.

Interested in a DC office space? Contact Metro Offices today!

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