Tag: work

How to manage security in the workplace

How to manage security in the workplace

Workplace security is more important than ever these days, and it’s not just about keeping the doors locked at night (although that is something you must do!). The fact is that your business, no matter how big it is or what you sell, is going to have access to sensitive information, and that sensitive information must be protected. The good news is that with a plan in place and some key (pun intended) ideas to work through, you can keep things secure without feeling like you’re running two businesses at the same time. With that in mind, let’s look at how it can be done; read on to find out more about how to manage security in the workplace.

Why is workplace security important?

If you’re not sure why workplace security is important, it’s going to be hard to get too motivated and make sure it gets done, so the first thing we’ll talk about is why you need to do it. The fact is that when you have good workplace security in place, you can keep your team, data and equipment safe – everything you need to run your business, in other words – and that’s going to make a big difference to your reputation and whether customers want to run the risk of using your business at all.

Plus, in the modern world, security issues can come from anywhere, so it’s not just about physical security, and making sure everything is covered is worthwhile because even if you can’t predict where the problem might come from, you’re still ensuring it’s not going to do any damage.

Start with simple security measures

The good thing about workplace security is that even the smallest and simplest of things can make a difference, which means that starting small and simple isn’t a bad idea – it can help prevent things from getting overwhelming and still give you at least a certain level of security.

One of the smallest and simplest security measures you can put in place is locks. If you can make sure your doors, windows and even filing cabinets are properly locked (and stay locked), that’s a great first step to take, and it’s a good security measure, so why not make that your first job? It won’t matter what other security measures you put in place because if your locks are no good, people will be able to get into your workplace and take what they want anyway.

You can also get your team to wear ID badges, which is a very simple idea, but one that not only helps with security, but also keeps things (and people!) organised at the same time. You’ll easily be able to quickly see who belongs in certain areas and who might be wondering where they shouldn’t be, and just that visual clue could be enough to help you become more secure.

And then there are security cameras too. Installing a few strategically placed cameras can deter potential criminals and intruders and keep an eye on what’s happening around the building. You just must ensure you place them in common areas where they’re going to be most useful and where your team won’t feel as though they’re being watched as they go about their work, as that can be off-putting and could even cause them to be less productive and happy at work.

Use electronic key tracking

If you have sensitive areas in your workplace, like a server room, storage area, or even an executive lounge or meeting room – you’ll want to control who has access to those spaces, and an electronic key tracking system could help with that. This is a system that helps you track who has which keys and when they’re used, so you can manage access to wherever you want without the hassle of missing or stolen keys, which instantly gives you a new security problem with which to contend.

This kind of system can really help when it comes to workplace security because instead of relying on traditional locks and keys, an electronic key tracking system keeps everything organised digitally. There won’t be any more need to ask everyone who has which keys or wondering where you put the keys because you’re the one who had them last – everything’s tracked and monitored, making security smoother and more efficient as a result.

Cybersecurity

We’ve talked a lot about physical security so far, but it’s crucial not to forget about cybersecurity as well – keeping your data safe is just as important (if not more) than locking up your building at night, and here are a few simple tips to improve your digital security.

The first is to have strong passwords, which might seem basic, but strong, unique passwords will stop a lot of security issues, and you’d be surprised at the number of people who use the same easy-to-guess password for everything. Make sure your employees use passwords that are a mix of letters, numbers and symbols, and make it a rule that the passwords are changed every six months or so.

You can also add an extra layer of security with two-factor authentication (or 2FA), which is designed to make it harder for unauthorised users to access accounts, even if they do have (or guess) a password.

Plus, you’ll need to keep your software regularly updated. Yes, those reminders for updates and the fact that the computer usually has to shut down, and you can’t use it for a while are annoying, but if the update is making it harder for hackers to get into your system, surely it’s an annoyance you can be willing to get through for the greater good?

Finally, one of the biggest threats to cybersecurity is human error, and regular training on how to recognise phishing emails, using secure networks, changing passwords and handling sensitive information goes a long way in preventing breaches, and that can go a long way in ensuring your customers want to keep using you, time and time again.

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How to get business premises that work for you

How to get business premises that work for you

Your business premises are more than just a place for you to do your work. It’s an extension of your company, influencing how both customers and employees view your organisation. It can also impact the quality of the work done, too; people work better when they’re in an attractive and comfortable environment rather than one that’s a little more uninspiring. Therefore, it’s worthwhile looking into whether it’s worth upgrading your business location. In this post, we’ll run through some useful tips that’ll point you in the right direction.

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Where do you need to be?

Location is more important to some business types than others, but all need to think about it. It’ll impact how easy it is to reach the space, how easy it is to connect with other businesses, how customers view your business (some addresses are more prestigious than others), and so on. You’ll need to decide whether you want to be in the centre of town or whether being slightly further afield will work for you. There are advantages and disadvantages to both!

How much can you afford?

If your business premises are to work for you, rather than against you, you’ll need to ensure that the space is in line with your financial situation. No company wants to spend more money than is necessary on rent, and they positively don’t want to run the risk of financial problems because of overspending on their premises.

Five years’ time

You’ll hope to be in your premises for a while, so it’s a good idea to think about the plans for your business. Where will it be in 5 years’ time? If you’re planning to add a lot more employees or make the move to remote working in the future, then that should influence your decision.

Getting the lease

You’ll have identified the location and can see that it’s the right place for your business to be for the years to come. Now, you’ll need to get your hands on the lease. Since commercial rentals work a little differently from residential rentals, it’s recommended that you work with solicitors such as Beyond Law Group Solicitors to thrash out the details. This will be doubly important if you’re planning to buy the space that you’ll be occupying. Working with legal experts will ensure that your lease doesn’t come back to bite you in some way later on down the line.

Smooth transition

Moving into a new office isn’t as stressful as moving home, but it’s not far off. You’ll likely have a lot of equipment and furniture to move into your new premises, plus it might take a few days before you’re fully up and running. Since it’s important that your move doesn’t disrupt your work operations, it’s best to either move into the new office slowly (transitioning from old space to new) or to pick a quiet time of the working year. That way, you’ll have time to settle into your new space without it having an impact on your customers.

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5 tips to make your artist studio more productive

5 tips to make your artist studio more productive

Having a home studio provides flexibility like no other place. But, to get the most out of it, you need to make wise decisions with the resources you have. And, no matter how much space you have, there are always small things that you can do to make your artist studio more productive. So, here are some valuable tips to help you make the most of your space and get more done.

Make your workspace the focus

One of the first things you must do is make your workspace as clear as possible. This is the focus of your studio: whether it’s an easel, pottery wheel, kiln or drawing board, keeping this area your focus will ensure you set to work quickly.

For best working conditions, keep this area clear. Each night, after you finish working for the day, clear up what you can. This way, you’ll enter into a clean studio each day, fresh for new ideas.

Stand up your desk

Many people who work in an office use a standing desk. Standing desks have been shown to have many physical benefits like decreased risk of obesity and diabetes and improved mental clarity and mood. But there’s another benefit to getting off your butt – standing up increases the blood flow to your legs, which will help you focus better when you sit back down.

Using a standing desk can make you feel more proactive and increase your ability to work.

Have spaces to think

Thinking over your work is an essential part of any art process. Building space into your studio specifically for thinking, brainstorming, and planning will help you to develop projects better. Get a comfy chair (some feel good massage chairs if you really want to relax your brain!) and leave some paper and pens around in case you need to write anything down.

Add lighting to highlight your workspace

Light is essential to all artwork. Getting bright lights to ensure you can see your work at all times is key. Think about where is best to place your lighting. Consider where shadows will fall: where would benefit from brightness, and where would benefit from darkness.

Natural light inspires productivity, so if you can access a big window, place your workspace near it.

Utilise storage and have an organisational system

As with any space, it’s important to utilise storage and an organisational system. You have the opportunity to be creative and use the area in various ways. But if you don’t have a plan beforehand, you may end up with chaos.

One way to create storage is by installing shelves on the walls. This allows you to make use of the vertical space, which is often overlooked but can be utilised in many ways. This will help de-clutter your floor space and allow for more room to work. If you have lots of supplies, this is a cost-effective way to minimise clutter and maximise your workspace.

Another tip is having an organisational system that works for you, your specific needs and your level of efficiency. This can be anything from how you organise your desk or how you store materials for projects at hand.

Using bins can help keep things more organised and help you quickly find what you are looking for. You might want to use different methods depending on the type of project or client you are working with and what stage it is in (i.e., idea stage versus final product).

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Why employees demand a robust environmental policy and what companies can do about it

Why employees demand a robust environmental policy and what companies can do about it

A recent survey carried out by Unily found that 83% of workers thought their employers weren’t doing enough to make sure that the workplace was eco-friendly. 65% of employees said that they’d rather work for a company that had a robust environmental policy. If offices and workplaces were more sustainable they’d only cut down on their energy consumption, but also make choices that were better for the planet. If you run your own business, there are many changes that you can make within the workplace that are more green and sustainable. This will ultimately make it a better environment in which to work.

Office cleaning

Many of the cleaning products used in offices and workspaces contain chemicals and toxins that are harmful to the environment. Bleach, ammonia, air fresheners, antibacterial products and any cleaning spray with an artificial fragrance are generally toxic. Research done by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 53% of air fresheners also damage your lungs if they are inhaled. Common ingredients include sodium laureth sulfate, triethanolamine and PEG compounds – all known carcinogens. If you have a large workspace, using a professional company that specialises in green cleaning is a good idea. This will minimise the impact that cleaning has on the environment. If you’re responsible for cleaning, swap harmful cleaning agents for natural alternatives. Use only recyclable paper products and reusable mops, dusters and micro-fibre cloths for cleaning.

Water consumption

Many offices and workplaces have large water bottle coolers for staff to use. Once they’ve been used, the majority of the plastic bottles will end up in landfill – plastic takes 450 years to biodegrade, and in the meantime the Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) seeps into the soil and the water, ultimately ending up in rivers and oceans. An easy alternative is good old fashioned tap water. You could also invest in a filter jug for staff to use, so that the water tastes better. The filters need replacing every 6 months, but this creates far less waste than using water coolers.

A paperless office

For the vast majority of communication between staff, clients and customers, there’s no need for paper. In your workplace environmental policy, set targets for reducing the amount of paper and set up limitations for office supplies, printing, packaging and marketing materials. Delegate someone in the workplace to be a “paperless champion”, helping to motivate others. Within the workplace, make full use of emails, digital signature software and PDFs to share information and communications. You can also move to digital financial statements with all your clients and suppliers. Where you do absolutely have to use paper, make sure that recycling is promoted.

Making the workplace a more sustainable and eco-friendly place is everyone’s responsibility. Limiting the use of paper and plastic and using green cleaning supplies can help to protect the environment for the future.

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