April 21, 2010
OPEN Forum Message
Affordably Build Your Brand
FedEx Global Brand Management Director Monica Skipper shares a cost-effective way to build a bigger brand for your small business.
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We spend so much time in our offices that we shouldn't forget to pay attention to what they look like. I'm not talking about a tidy desk; I'm talking about the little touches that make our working environment fun. Believe it or not, we're all way more productive when our workspace isn't depressing or boring. Entrepreneurs tend to be inspirational and creative, so our offices should be, too. Here are some suggestions for simple ways to reflect and encourage inspiration and creativity where we work.
1. Stay connected to nature. If you have a window available to you, make sure you can look out of it from your desk. Don't think of it as a distraction. Looking out the window is not only great for your mood, but it also puts you in the mindset of not being boxed in. If you don't have a window, add a few touches of the outdoors ~ like a plant, photos of your favorite beach, a pet goldfish in a bowl, or even a patch of grass.
2. Remember the art. Posters, photos, paintings or sculptures you love will support your creative impulses. Surround yourself with creative talent at the office, even if it's in the form of a picture on the wall. These time travel posters are hilarious as well as aesthetically pleasing, so not every piece of art is serious or unaffordable.
3. Incorporate playfulness. I love my little toys. Just looking at them makes me happy, so I keep them around my office. What invokes your playful spirit? Whatever it is, represent it in your work environment. For you, it might be gadgets or Star Wars memorabilia. Whatever it is, if it makes you happy, it can only boost your spirits at work.
4. Spice up the supply cabinet. Practical items don't have to be drab. This Squid Vader notebook from Gama-Go makes brainstorming and note-taking more fun. OXO has a line of Good Grips office products that are satisfying to the touch while getting the job done.
5. Have scribble space. No matter what field you're in, sometimes you'll have to jot down ideas ~ whether it's doodles, keywords, equations or notes. So have space dedicated to this! I like whiteboards. But maybe you prefer a chalkboard, big note book, scroll of butcher paper or Etch-a-Sketch. Whatever works for you! Having something dedicated to ideas and problem-solving creates a cycle of more ideas and more solved problems.
6. Alternate quiet and noisy. Don't get in a rut where you can only work in dead quiet … or where you can only work with loud music. Sometimes ideas spring from silence, other times they emerge from a soundscape. It's not always the same, so don't get so set in your ways that you miss out.
What do you find most inspirational in a working environment?
Check your balance, review recent transactions and pay your bill on the go.
Nora Dunn 2 years 0 months and 3 days ago
I like having a vision board handy: something that has images representing your goals and dreams. It gives you something positive to glance at when you look up from your work, and keeps your eye on the ball and your motivation up.