7 ideas for your office Christmas party

WorkWell on May 9, 2017

Yes, we know it’s only September! But believe it or not, 16th September marks 100 days until Christmas… That special time of the year is fast approaching, and you’ll find yourself sat around the table with your Christmas hats and crackers before you know it.

If you haven’t already begun planning your office Christmas party then our best advice would be to start sooner rather than later. Countless other businesses will already be in full swing of organising their Christmas parties, with lots of venues quickly getting booked up for the festive season.

Over the years, we’ve been involved in planning many office Christmas parties. It’s no surprise that one of the biggest obstacles is finding a date which suits the whole team. However, using an app like Doodle can make it really easy to see when everybody is available – it’s been a lifesaver for us on many occasions!

One of the other things we’ve learnt is that it’s always fun to try something a little different. With this in mind, we’ve come up with seven fun alternative ideas for your office Christmas party.

1. An appearance from Santa

What better way to give back to your team than turning up to your office Christmas party dressed as Santa or a Christmas Angel, with a sack full of presents? Why not show how much you value your employees with personalised gifts for each of them? This could be a great way to reinforce your company culture. We’ve seen this work best with company CEOs, but you could even get the rest of your management team to dress up as elves too!

2. Masquerade ball

Made for dancing, a masquerade ball-themed office Christmas party certainly makes for an interesting night! This more extravagant style of party is sure to leave an impression on your employees too – we suggest going the extra mile with the venue and also arranging for a waiting team to walk around with some champagne and canapés. You could even organise a dance-off between your different departments, with a prize for the winning team.

3. Create your own festive menu

Tired of the same generic Christmas party menu with limited options? Who better to design the menu than the people who will be eating from it? Odds are that you’ll end up with a more out-of-the-box Christmas menu, with tastes and flavours representative of the different cultures and personalities from your team. You could even incorporate this idea with ‘Office Come Dine With Me’ for extra fun.

4. Christmas photo booth…

…And who could forget the festive props?! A Christmas photo booth can be a great way to capture all of the fun at your office party, and the photos also serve as a nice keepsake for your employees. On top of this, you’ll end up with a whole load of weird and wonderful images to use for marketing purposes! You can find a variety of fun Christmas-themed props for a fair price online, to accompany your photo booth too.

5. Charity fundraiser

A charity fundraiser can be an excellent way to combine fun activities and team-building, as well as, most importantly, supporting a fantastic charity of your choice. And after all, Christmas is supposed to be the time to give back! Working with charities supporting care homes and homeless people at this time of the year can have such a positive impact on the wider community. This could be in the form of hosting a fundraising event, volunteering for a local charity, or getting sponsored to try an extreme sport like skydiving. Some offices even put together festive hampers for the homeless, including essentials such as a blanket, fresh water and food.

6. Awards ceremony

Hosting a light-hearted awards ceremony at your office Christmas party can really help brighten your team spirits, and can be a great way to reflect your company’s personality. Including a mix of general awards such as ‘Best Dressed’ or ‘Best DJ’ and then some more unique awards such as ‘It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere’ or ‘The Eternally Late Award’ can serve for a hilarious evening!

7. Christmas movie marathon

This can be a fantastic way to spread the festive cheer around your office. And the best thing about it? You can do it all without leaving your workplace! Why not bring out the blankets, Quality Streets and Buck’s Fizz to host the ultimate Christmas movie marathon for your team? If you really want an all-round movie marathon experience, then you need to check out this pocket-size laser projector that we mentioned in our previous blog.

Of course, we understand that hosting a movie marathon may not be possible for industries where the office tends to be busier during the festive period. But even just playing Christmas films in the background for your last day in the office before the festive break can make a real difference to your team spirit.

On the other hand, if your office tends to be quieter during the festive period then you could give your team the full day off to relax, watching the likes of Elf and Home Alone…

Christmas is an excellent opportunity to thank your staff for their hard work all year round, and putting on an incredible office Christmas party can be a great way to do this. Christmas parties can also be an ideal opportunity to bring your team closer together, which certainly pays off in employee productivity levels.

Are you looking for a high-quality office that encourages a positive company culture? Why not get in touch with us at WorkWell to find out more about our serviced offices and other business growth solutions?

An easy guide to finding your perfect meeting room

WorkWell on March 10, 2017

Meeting room guide blog.jpg

Is your current meeting room not up to your standards? Want somewhere in a more convenient location? Maybe you don’t currently have a purpose-built meeting room? If you found yourself nodding whilst reading any of the above, then you may have given up on finding your ideal meeting room. But there’s no need to worry, that ‘perfect’ meeting room is very real! You just need to know how to find it…

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Creativity vs productivity : generating the perfect balance

WorkWell on March 1, 2017

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In Parts one and two of our ‘Creativity vs Productivity’ blog series, we established that not only is it possible to be both creative and productive at the same time, but it’s also important for businesses to encourage these skills as a means of nurturing company growth. In this blog – part 3 of the series – we examine how to be creative yet productive at the same time, and generate the perfect balance between the two.

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What tech equipment do you really need in the office?

WorkWell on February 5, 2017

The growth of tech has been nothing short of revolutionary for the business world. Digital tools such as video conferencing, mobile technology and cloud based software have changed the way we work. No twenty first century office set up would be complete without a great deal of thought going into the tech provision.

Of course, tech equipment typically represents a big investment, especially for SMEs and startups. If you’re currently looking into office suites and workplace options, you may be struggling to prioritise which equipment you need to buy. Below, we’ve put together a suggested list of the tech equipment we think is vital for any office.

High-spec computers 

Computers have long been an absolute necessity for the workplace. Whether you choose desktops or laptops, these pieces of kit will become the hub for your business. Modern-day offices rely on computers for both completing work and managing communications. Most businesses find it prudent to spend as much as their budget allows. Why not check out TechRadar’s top business PCs or top business laptops of 2017?

Wireless router 

A high-speed wireless router will allow staff to access the internet from wherever they are in the office on whatever device they are using. The average UK Wi-Fi speed is now up to almost 30 Mbps, but with growing capabilities, our tenants at WorkWell have access to upwards of 100 Mbps.

Phone system 

Though the majority of business communications now take place via the internet, a reliable phone system is still a very useful piece of technology. Ideally, you’ll want one that can be used externally or internally. If you want to keep things streamlined and not clutter up your employees’ desks, you may choose to use an internet-based phone service such as Skype for Business, or even just a portable office phone.

Screen/Projector

Conference rooms are much improved with the addition of a digital or projector screen. This can be beneficial for video conferencing purposes as well as for presentations. A screen can also come in handy during client meetings and pitches.

Webcams and microphones 

It makes sense to invest in webcams and microphones, in order to facilitate the rising popularity in video conferencing software. These tools give you the ability to be more flexible with your meetings. For example, you may have an informal meeting in your diary that could simply be done over a video conference, which could save both time and travel expenses. Of course, for more important meetings, we believe that face-to-face meetings are still the best option.

Many computers will come with these webcam and microphone tools already built in, but it’s often worth having additional devices on hand for use within conference rooms, or as a backup in case the built-in ones let you down.

Printer/Copier and Shredder

More and more offices are choosing to go paperless and therefore are forgoing providing employees with printing facilities altogether. Depending on the needs of your office, you may wish to follow suit. If not, a printer/copier could be a useful addition to your office. Just remember: if you plan to print documents, you’ll also need to take responsibility for disposing of them. Any sensitive data will need to be properly destroyed, so if you invest in a printer/copier, you’ll probably need a shredder too.

It’s key to note that these are just some of the essential pieces of tech equipment for your office. If you want to take it a step further, then check out these 8 amazing office gadgets. Are there any other essential pieces of tech equipment that we’ve missed out on? We’d love to hear! Why not let us know on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or in the comments below?

If you want to keep things even simpler, you could choose an office provider that will handle a lot of the tech provision for you. All our office suites and meeting rooms in Leeds and Harrogate are tech-ready, and we’re always around to offer advice on how to ensure your set-up is as productive as possible.

Futureproofing your office space: the most important thing to consider

WorkWell on December 7, 2016

 None of us has a crystal ball when it comes to our business. Though it’s certainly possible to make predictions and set goals based on sales data and market predictions, these often come down to little more than educated guesses.

Upswings in the market can take us all by surprise, as can unexpectedly quiet periods, new working styles and developments in technology. All of these things can demand a change in the way we do business, so we need to be prepared to act fast.

In other words: it really is vital to be flexible when making plans for the future of your business.

Choosing office space is a huge commitment, which can be key to the future success of your business. At WorkWell, we believe that flexibility is one of the most important considerations you will make when choosing office space.

Checklist for choosing office space

Here are some things to consider when choosing office space for your business:

  • How much space do you have to grow
  • The cost of overheads, and the potential to increase or decrease as required
  • How your clients and potential clients perceive you, and having the right-sized high-quality office space for their expectations, as your business changes over time
  • The facilities you have available, and whether flexible service packages are on offer to meet your needs
  • The working hours you can offer your employees, and whether you can access a serviced office out of hours
  • How happy your employees are at work, and the desirability of your business office space

The best office venue providers will give you the option to develop your business with them over time. This may mean taking on more office space to allow for extra employees, or it could even mean having the freedom to downsize should you decide to reduce your team or switch to a remote-working-based model.

A truly flexible serviced office facility will also have additional services on offer such as meeting rooms, parking, conference facilities, IT infrastructure, meeting rooms, catering staff and administrative support. Having these services readily available is incredibly valuable, even if you don’t need them when you sign up.

Demand for flexible office space is increasing.

It’s not just us that thinks that flexible office space is the way forward. In fact, research shows that more and more business owners are seeking flexible options with demand up 24.3% nationwide. Businesses in Yorkshire are particularly keen to find workspaces that will work of them: demand for flexible office space in Leeds was 17.3% higher in 2014 than in previous years.

But it’s not just business growth and development that can benefit from flexible office space. Study after study has shown that employees prefer flexible provision too. One of the major reasons behind this is that the more flexible a business’s office space is, the more of that flexibility they’ll be able to pass onto their team.

When a business is run in a flexible environment it makes it much easier to offer benefits such as flexi-time, hot-desking and remote working.

Reduce workplace stress and increase productivity.

Seven in ten workers believe that these types of working options help to reduce work-related stress, and it’s believed by many that they can also significantly improve employee engagement and productivity.

If your business is currently searching for a new base, make sure you take flexibility into account: both in terms of what your office provider can offer you as a changing business and what benefits it will allow you to pass on to your employees.

Is flexibility as important to you as it is to us? Take a look at our serviced office provision to see how we make this work in practice.

If you are looking for flexible office space in Leeds or Harrogate with all-inclusive office space, Leeds-based WorkWell is a cost-effective, high-quality serviced office space provider. Book a visit with us today to see what we can offer.

UK’s hottest new financial business centre? Leeds! 3 reasons why

WorkWell on August 11, 2016

We’ve always believed that Leeds is a great city for businesses to thrive in, but did you know that Leeds is Britain’s second-largest economy? Given its status as the country’s largest financial centre outside of London, it’s hardly surprising that the Yorkshire city is a leading location for financial services firms.

From bankers to accountants, bookkeepers to financial advisers, more and more financial firms are moving to Leeds, keen to get a slice of the unique business opportunities the UK’s second financial hub provides.

We look at some of the reasons why a growing number of financial firms are making the move to Leeds:

1. Cost-effective office space

 It’s no secret that in recent years, commercial property rents have skyrocketed in London. According to research by JLL and CBRE, commercial property rental prices in the capital have continued their sharp upward trend—prime West End rents have now reached up to £160 per square foot in 2025, while average City core rents hover around £94.25 per square foot, marking a significant increase from previous years. To put that into perspective, between 2010 and 2015, the average rent of commercial property increased from £33 to £55 per square foot—yet by 2025, we’re looking at nearly triple that 2015 figure in prime areas. Due to these rising prices, finding affordable office space in London can be a challenge for many financial firms.

In contrast, Leeds offers a much more cost-effective solution for businesses, regardless of whether they’re established organisations or start-ups – even some of the best offices in Leeds now command around £40 to £42.50 per square foot, offering exceptional value when compared with the capital. In short, offices to rent in Leeds would provide financial firms with much more for their money than if they were renting in London.

As Leeds City Region writes:

“Leeds City Region is a prime location for financial and professional services, proven by the wide range of companies we have already attracted, from global banks to innovators in financial technology. Our unparalleled and cost-effective access to the right skills, infrastructure, business networks and innovation has seen our region named the UK’s second centre for banking, and a Financial Centre of Excellence.”

2. Access to the right talent

Leeds and its vicinity is home to a whopping nine higher education establishments – in fact, Leeds has the largest number of universities outside of London. With many students deciding to stay on in Leeds after graduating, a large proportion of the region’s 40,000 financial service employees are made up by the huge graduate population.

There are currently over 100,000 students in Leeds, providing no shortage of potential talent for businesses to pick from. With this vast number of graduates on-board, financial firms, such as banking institutions and accountants, put themselves in a much better position for sustained, high quality growth.

3. Helping to rebalance the UK economy

A report published by the government in 2015 noted how Leeds is at the centre of Yorkshire and the Humber’s financial services sector. At the time the report was drawn up, the sector employed 128,000 people and generated more than £10 billion for the British economy annually.

As a financial business centre, Leeds is at the heart of the government’s ongoing drive to create a Northern Powerhouse and rebalance the UK economy.

Harriet Baldwin, Economic Secretary to the Treasury at the time, said of Leeds:

“Yorkshire’s thriving financial sector is a great success story for the region, helping to build a strong Northern economy. It is great to see first-hand how Britain’s financial sector is thriving in Leeds.”

Being the UK’s largest financial hub outside of London, the importance to sustain growth within the financial sector in Leeds is a priority. Consequently, businesses in Leeds can take advantage of the strong sense of support the city offers to companies of almost every sector and size – for example, the Leeds government offers business grants to encourage growth.

The savviest of financial firms in the UK recognise the status Leeds preserves in being a key Northern Powerhouse driver. Such firms are taking advantage of the advice and other business support provided to companies which are either relocating or starting up in this buoyant business hub.

With continuing investment in Leeds, a consistent barrage of talent entering and staying in the city, and cost-effective offices to rent in state-of-the-art business centres, it’s not difficult to understand why there has been a surge of financial firms relocating their services to the vibrant city of Leeds.

If you are a financial firm looking to relocate to take advantage of the unique opportunities offered in Leeds’ business scene, WorkWell’s business centre can provide the perfect home for your relocation to Yorkshire. To learn more about our high-quality offices to rent in Leeds, arrange a viewing at Carrwood Park or Brookfield Court.