11 Strategies on How to Work in An Open Plan Environment

Many work environments now are open plan, with only a few senior managers having offices of their own. This style of work can have great benefits for team building ? fostering cooperation and collaboration and can be wonderful for developing the social aspects of teams, but on the flipside, it can drive some people crazy and be damaging to productivity. Most open plan offices require large numbers of people to learn to work together in very close proximity, which can present challenges, particularly relating to how we manage the physical environment, the noise and the constant interruptions. Share some of these strategies with your teammates to help you achieve a working environment where everyone is respectful of the needs and space occupied by others.

Keep it down! It's easy to overlook how far your conversation can travel in a confined space ? be mindful of what you can hear of others' conversations and remember that they can hear yours too. Especially if you are loud or have a unique voice (like me!) be aware of your volume.

Walk the floor. Don't yell across workstations ? walk over to the person's desk or use your e-mail or phone. Not everyone in the vicinity needs to be disrupted by your conversation.

Careful where you stand. Don't stop for conversations or hold impromptu meetings at other people's workstations ? be considerate. If you want to have a meeting, choose a space that won't impact others.

Get a room. If there are two or more people and you don't have a discrete space to meet, book a meeting room and be sure to tidy it up before you leave.

Anyone for music? If you like listening to music, keep it down to a level where it doesn't interfere with the concentration or comfort of your colleagues. If everyone agrees, you might choose a particular style of music and play it at a volume that suits everyone. Otherwise, buy yourself some headphones and keep the music to yourself.

Telephone etiquette. Be considerate about how you manage your phones, the constant ringing of desk phones and mobiles with their various show tunes other 'ditties' can be distracting and annoying. Turn your ringer-volume down to the lowest level that is appropriate for you, rather than let it blare though the office unnecessarily. Try to answer your phone or have your voicemail pick it up within three rings. Select a mobile phone ring that won't annoy others. If you will be away from your desk for a prolonged period divert your phone to your mobile or voicemail.

Take a message. Answer your neighbour's phone if it is appropriate. If you take a message send the details to them in an e-mail immediately to avoid lost phone messages on scraps of paper and post-its.

Hang a 'Do Not Disturb' sign. I've mentioned this one before, but it's worth repeating here. Agree among your team on a signal which will indicate to other people that you are unavailable ? that you are trying to concentrate on something or are on a deadline and do not wish to be disturbed. It might be an item placed on top of your computer monitor or desk, or even a sign taped to the back of your chair. When the signal is up, everyone agrees to not disturb you, when the signal comes down, people know that it's business as usual again.

Clear desk policy. Adopt a clear desk policy. It makes the overall environment more pleasant and comfortable, rather than looking like a hurricane has been through, and it's excellent for both personal productivity and security.

Stash it away. If you need some extra storage space, make use of space under your desk, rather than in walkways, but be careful not to crowd yourself or to create a cockroach haven.

Smile. Include some personal touches on your workstation, but don't overdo it ? you and your workstation are on display to your teammates and others who pass by your area and you want to leave a professional impression. Choose a photo of your family, a picture of a place you dream of going to or something else that inspires you and makes you feel happy.

Neen is a Global Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy ? and where they focus their attention ? Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice, sense of fun and uncommon common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity. Find out more at http://neenjames.com/

---

Teaching Large Companies To Think Like The Little Guys

Q: I am an executive at a large company and... Read More

Are you NICE or do you CARE?

Are you NICE or do you CARE? ... Read More

Romford Accountants: Accountancy Firm Roles and Responsibilities

If you own or operate a business in the UK,... Read More

Assertiveness Helps Accomplish Everything

When trying to get something accomplished, assertive behavior is the... Read More

Controlling Your Cash Flow

IntroductionAre you looking for a way to gain control of... Read More

Management Training: Are You Satisfied With The Results?

If you're not satfied with the results of your management... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Value of Work Processes

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Lack of Operations Manuals Stunting Your Growth?

Lack of Operations Manuals stunting your growth?CONTENTS:1. Do you lack... Read More

3 Innovation Keys - Do Your Innovative Efforts Need More Power?

Recently, I attended a webinar with nearly 400 other Chief... Read More

Assertive Communication - 6 Tips For Effective Use

What IS assertive communication? Assertive communication is the... Read More

Improving Your Inter-Company Communications At No Cost

It's all very well having a flashy (and expensive) advertising... Read More

Successful Managing Through Delegation

Managers should avoid the tendency to constantly delegate to the... Read More

Comparing Ancient Programs from the East to Modern Programs like Stephen Covey.

Comparing Corporate and Personal goal attainment programs that have developed... Read More

The 3rd Plan Missing from your Business

If you're like most people, you probably started with wonderful... Read More

Innovation Management ? Selecting Good Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Reduce the High Cost of Employee Absenteeism

Employers pay a high price for absenteeism, often more than... Read More

Delegation Obstructions

OBSTRUCTIONS: 1. Staff deficiencies. Lack of confidence in employees quite... Read More

The 20/60/20 Rule Of Leadership. Dont Go Solving The Wrong Problems

Several decades ago, a passenger jet approached a Florida airport... Read More

Innovation Management ? Producing Great Products, Motivation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Leadership Skills

Recent studies have shown that industrial supervisors are working at... Read More

Building the Trust in Your Employees - 12 Easy Tips

In Stephen Covey's great book, "The Seven Habits of Highly... Read More

Key Control ? Who Has the Keys to Your Kingdom?

Key control, or more accurately the lack of key control... Read More

Protect Your Organizations Proprietary Information

The other day one of our overseas clients called in... Read More

Innovation Management ? Emotion, Habit, and Culture can be Hard to Change!

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Managers Who Spend PR $$ Wisely

If you are a department, division or subsidiary manager, your... Read More

Performance Evaluation: How To Create Change

STEPS TOWARDS GIVING A GOOD APPRAISAL INTERVIEW: Give specific feedback.... Read More

Passion for Profits

Business owners and managers are busier than ever. As their... Read More

Turbo Charge Your Career With The Most Powerful Leadership Tool Of All: The Leadership Talk: Part 1

Leaders speak 15 to 20 times daily. You speak at... Read More

How to use NLP for Business?

What is Neuro-Linguistic Programming?Neuro-Linguistic programme is nothing but the study... Read More

Dont Get Side-Tracked By The Nay-Sayers

You, the Entrepreneur, are 'normally' a type-A individual. One who... Read More

Why Your Business Needs an E-Mail Policy

Why is it imperative to have a company E-Mail Policy?... Read More

The Survey Feedback Process for Organizational Development and Change

THE PURPOSE OF SURVEY FEEDBACK:In globally competitive environments, organizations are... Read More

The Dog That Didnt Bark

A few weeks ago, after consultations with others in an... Read More