Meet one of our Perth members! Mark Small is the Director of Elect Training and Consulting and has been with Victory Offices since 2019. 

Let’s get to know Mark. 

Tell us about yourself and your company. What problem are you solving for your customers?

I have been working as a safety professional for nearly 20 years. I am an experienced company Director, a fellow of the Australian Institute for Health and Safety, and an Adjunct Lecturer at Edith Cowan University.

Elect Training and Consulting is a respected provider of workplace health and safety solutions, servicing Australian organisations that value tailored specialists informing the safety and well-being of their people.

Our clients use our services to meet their Work Health and Safety obligations. We offer a variety of services, including access to specialised courses and practical support from our expert WHS Consultants.

Describe a lightbulb moment when you knew your venture was going to become a success.

Not so much a light bulb moment but a stage in the business when the work became consistent. We had long-term contracts in place, and the business was sustaining strong growth.

What or who inspired you to establish your company?

Before starting Elect, I worked as an Executive in other businesses. I had lamented over not using the knowledge and experience I had gained to build my own business. So, when the opportunity arose, I grabbed it. Starting my own business was the best gift I have ever given myself.

What are you most passionate about in business? How do you continue to challenge yourself?

I love that I can add value for my clients and make a difference in people’s lives. I am also very pleased to be in a position where I can give back. I currently sponsor the Energy Club of WA’s Next Generation Program, the Australian Institute for Health and Safety WA Safety Symposium, and other professional development events.

What was the best business advice anyone ever gave you, and did you follow it?

“You have to be in business to be successful in business.”  Yes, I followed it.

What’s your motto/ what words do you live by?

“Trust yourself”.

I was previously the Chair of the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation. The Foundation provides the opportunity for our youth to take a voyage at sea on a tall ship. The voyage challenges the participants and allows them to discover their strengths and talents, building self-confidence. At first, it seems impossible to them. However, once they have achieved it, it shows them what they are capable of. It is a moment of realisation that “if I can do this, what else can I do?” An amazing program. I am very proud to have been involved with the Foundation.

Who do you most admire and why?

I am very fortunate to have a close relationship with my brother and sisters and their spouses. I take great inspiration from what they have achieved.

What is your 5-year goal?

To be Australia’s most trusted provider for WHS Solutions, adding value to organisations large and small by helping them achieve safer and healthier workplaces.

A virtual office is a fantastic way to ensure your company maintains a solid and professional appearance in times of growth or change. Modern technology is rapidly transforming the way we do business, and Virtual Offices allow you to stay one step ahead of your competitors in a dynamically changing business environment. 

The benefits of having a virtual office are often underestimated and at most times overlooked. We have compiled a list that highlights merely some of the benefits of having a virtual office: 

Less time on the road. 

One question we often get asked when applying for a job is ‘Do you have a driver’s license?’ Punctuality is an important aspect of any business and your ability to get around efficiently is vital. In a post pandemic world, where things have shifted digitally quiet significantly, this aspect has become less important. 

One of the major benefits of having a virtual office means more flexibility with your working arrangements and routines. It means your employees are spending less time on the road travelling to office locations and more time being productive. 

More ‘ME’ time. 

The less time it takes you to travel to work, the more time you have for the things that are important to you. This significantly reduces stress and improves your employees work-life balance, which significantly increases their work satisfaction. Giving your employee the ability to work on their own terms improves their efficiency and builds an extra level of trust. Granted, this may not be applicable across all industries, where meeting with clients physically is essential. 

Less time off. 

Naturally, with a flexible working solution, the workdays tend to feel shorter even with the same number of working hours. Reducing 2 hours of travel time from your workdays will help your employees feel a little less exhausted and overworked, which in turn reduces their need for more vacation days or time off to rest. It gives them the opportunity to work on their own terms with a result focused approach. 

Global expansion. 

Looking at expanding nationally, or maybe even internationally? It is possible with a Virtual Office. Having a global presence when possible is a huge benefit to your business while allowing you to expand geographical and acquire global talent without the need to have a physical location tied to a long-term lease contract. This also allows you to operate at different time-zone and increase your global reach. 

Less overheads 

No long-term lease, no office costs, no in-house expenses associated with a physical location means you have more money and time to invest in your people and your clients. This also means you will save money on workplace fitouts and office setups and provide your employees with the opportunity to have their own ergonomic setups that work bets for them individually. 

Prestigious addresses 

Finally, and one of the most important aspects is the ability to have a prestigious address or several addressed in some cases as part of your location portfolio that you can potentially display to prospect clients. Most virtual office packages also come with additional services like mailing, a dedicated phone line with secretarial and meeting room services that you can utilise when you choose to visit the physical office.

HYBRID 101 – Why You Should Make This Change Too!

Written by Christine Thomson, Multi-Site Manager & Marketing Assistant at Victory Offices.

We all know the age old saying Happy Wife, Happy Life. But what about Happy Workspace, Happy Workplace!

Hybrid working has come about from lockdowns, social distancing, and the amazing economic growth post-pandemic. Some days we can work from the office and others from the comfort of your own home, or the local café, or even another state. Because one thing we’ve learnt is that a lot of jobs can be done remotely and you can trust your people to get it done from anywhere.

But now we sit towards the end of the pandemic and we’ve made a social decision not to return to the old ways of office 9-5 life. Why? Because we are happier. Happier with flexibility, happier with choice, happier with our attire, happier with our families and pets. Just overall happier. And that keeps us engaged in our roles and increases our motivation and innovation when we are working.

5 HR Trends To Expect In 2022

Written by Anisha Fitzpatrick, HR Manager at Victory Offices.

It seems like only yesterday when we were making exciting plans for 2021, believing that the pandemic wouldn’t extend into the new year. Fast forward 12 months and a new COVID variant has only just emerged. Like everyone’s been saying, we’re going to have to learn to live with this virus.

Our workplace has changed so much in these past 2 years, and it’ll continue to do so in 2022 as well. Undoubtedly, the needs of workers around the world have evolved too. It’s crucial that human resources teams are prepared to meet these fast-changing needs. Here are the 5 HR trends to watch out for.

New year, fresh start

Written by Grace Dowell, Assistant Manager at Victory Offices

A fresh start, a new year (we hope). The past few years we have seen many challenges when it comes to working from home and being able to create that happy work-life balance.

If you are one that is dreading going back into the office because you’ve been able to do tasks such as, put a load of washing on just before a meeting or anything else that will allow you that rest time as soon as you are ‘clocked off’, these tips will help you be able to have a smooth transition back into the office. 

The Revived Return – Healthy Habits When Returning to the Office

It’s no doubt that being in lockdown and working from home has left some of us feeling fatigued, out of routine and uncertain what the big return to the office will look like. 

Recent surveys are showing most Australians are ready to move to a hybrid working model to allow more work-life balance and increase productivity, however that doesn’t mean we should slip into the same old routine once we return. 

In most instances returning to the office is a great time to start fresh, create healthy habits and strengthen mental health.

the perfect walk

Melbourne has been locked down for longer than we would care to remember. The one thing which has stayed constant throughout all the lockdowns, is the time we get to be able to walk daily and explore new tracks and new streets. While this lockdown may put a bit of a halt on the ‘exploring’ side of walking. We want to help you discover an adventure that is within those 5km from home, and to do that, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite walks close to each Melbourne Victory Office location.

TOP 3 REASONS TO GET BACK TO WORK

I’m sure you will all agree that this working from home thing is getting overwhelming and tiresome – in fact it’s hard, really hard!

Our days are all kind of blending into one, we haven’t been able to shake a hand, have a coffee or talk about football in our workplaces for such a long time and we are chomping at the bit to get back to some kind of normal.

This got me thinking about why it is so important for me to get back to my workplace, and I’m sure it will resonate with so many of you who are feeling the same kind of emotions that I am.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my children, my husband and my animals… But, I want to go back to my place of work and here is why:

1. I really need to reclaim my “home as my home”.  I have spent years trying to create a beautiful space to call my home, my sanctuary, my party palace, my headspace.  This is where I play with my children, entertain my friends, cook dinner with my husband, play music loud, dance and love.  It has now become everything – my workspace, my husband’s workspace, school for our three children still schooling, a psychologist/therapist suite, a gym etc.  It has lost its meaning of “Home”, a sanctuary where all that live here can be themselves without tip-toeing around or feeling anxious about interrupting or making too much noise.  Our homes need to be our homes, and our workspaces/schools/gyms/doctors/therapists etc need to be kept at different locations.

2. Nothing beats face to face.  We perform better face to face, that is a medical fact.  No matter how you look at it, whether from a business perspective, student and teacher, lovers, friends every which way, if you are face to face not only do you communicate differently, but both also talking and listening, you behave and react differently.   From a business perspective, you are more inclined to succeed or have a positive outcome when you face to face with your clients and co-workers – you are more productive.  This doesn’t mean that I am going to hug everyone I see when I go back to work… well actually, it might! I miss being on location and hearing the hustling and bustling of the workplace, listening to the laughter from my co-workers and having conversations with my clients in the breakout areas. 

3. Disconnect from distraction.  I don’t know about you, but I think I have the attention span of a 3-year-old! It was once referred to me as “Shiny Object Syndrome”.  I will be the first to put my hand up and say that I am definitely less productive when I am working from home during lockdown, but not the case when we are not in lockdown.  The difference?  DISTRACTIONS!!!  Children, husband, puppy, cat, music, food, the sun outside, the photo on my walls etc.  I think you get the picture!  Being distracted isn’t necessarily a bad thing especially if it helps you re-focus, but if it’s constant it is unproductive, and causes anxiety and frustration.

We need to get back to work to be the best versions of ourselves – our work self and our home self.

Capital Expansion – Why Expanding Into Canberra is Perfect for Life & Business

Voted Australia’s Most Liveable City by the Property Council of Australia earlier in 2021, it’s no surprise that business owners, families and international enterprises have their eyes on our beautiful Capital City. Dubbed the “bush capital” for its sprawling national parks and lakeside picnic spots, Canberra brings city life and country living together, perfect for business people and families alike. 

Breathe Easy

When looking for relocation opportunities, safety is always towards the top of our list. Whether we are moving for business or a change of scenery, it is important to know where our new home ranks. Fortunately, Canberra is ongoing one of the safest cities in the world, well below national average and ranked number one in Australia. 

Not only is the crime rate low, the air quality is fresh and welcoming almost all year round. Even in the busiest parts of the city you can stand outside and take in the deepest breath, mainly due to the abundance of flora and fauna lining the streets and parks. Canberra was also awarded the 2021 Most Sustainable City outside of Europe with an almost 100% reliance on renewable energy.  

Local Living

It’s no secret that the people of Canberra embrace a sense of community, belonging and support. The locals rally around events of all shapes and sizes, from small scale Sunday Markets to large gala dinners for a cause. Many Canberran’s give up their time regularly through volunteering projects that benefit the community and are proud of their “give back” attitude. 

For those wanting to relocate with a family, Canberra has some of the best educational facilities in Australia, having the highest percentage of young people completing their Year 12 Certificates. Canberra does not operate on the well-known HSC model and insists on running exams quarterly and marking in-house. Most suburbs also have a local primary school with a fair choice between private and public education. 

Contrary to popular belief, there are more things to see and do in Canberra than meets the eye. The hospitality industry is growing rapidly with new cafes, bars and restaurants popping up weekly to satisfy your inner foodie, not to mention the ever-growing popularity of local breweries, food trucks and international eats. 

If you’re an active individual, there are hundreds of walking/cycling trails, lake kayaking, rock climbing and even skydiving over the capital. And even if you have a favourite hobby already, you are sure to find a like-minded group through Facebook or Meetup. 

Taking Care of Business

Let’s get down to the real important stuff, starting or expanding your business into Canberra. This is the political city of Australia and houses more government and defence jobs than anywhere else, which is fantastic for those businesses wanting to make a long term impact. 

Canberra is the definition of collaboration and making big things happen through networking, innovation and brand establishment. It is a city that has a thriving start-up ecosystem with a multitude of coworking spaces and hubs for the emerging entrepreneur. As an established business, you may find it beneficial to take a membership with the many networking groups or chambers to make new connections, find opportunities and gain the innovation you need for success.

Canberra is a wonderful place to live and work, a remarkable city for its size and population and with delightful surprises around every corner encouraging more families and businesses to make the move to Australia’s capital.

The Corporate Spruce – 3 Ways to Bring Life to Your Office

On average, we spend 1,900 hours a year in the office, so it only seems fitting to make your workspace more like home. Whether you’re in a bright window suite or the humble internal office, we look at 3 ways to make the space amongst your four walls burst with energy. 

Pigment of Your Imagination

Choosing the right colour and décor scheme is the best way to make the most out of any space, especially when you don’t have much space at all. Whilst colours like peach and daffodil can boost enthusiasm and creativity, teal and emerald promote focus and performance.

When working with an internal office with no natural light, things can be a bit tricky. If you are a minimalist, we recommend a soft grey backdrop with white furnishings and striking greenery. For something with a bit of zest, opt for a blush feature wall, chrome features and white marble prints.  Strategically placed mirrors and glass also have the natural ability to make a space feel larger, so don’t be afraid to bring these components into your professional setting. 

Welcome to the Jungle

Bringing live plants into your office may seem a little daunting, especially if your green thumb has seen better days. However, there are many benefits to greenery in the workplace that you may not even notice. 

The humble desk plant brings us closer to nature and makes us feel like we aren’t stuck inside for that nine to five, influencing a sense of calm and peace. Certain indoor plants like the rubber tree plant provide air-purifying abilities as well, which can turn your office into a literal breath of fresh air. 

Some of the best options for those who want to liven up their windowsill are various succulents and cacti or pairing pelargoniums and bougainvillea for that pop of floral colour. Our personal favourite would be the Chinese Money Plant (pilea) for its deep leathery green leaves.

If your space has little to no light, never fear, there are many high tolerance plants available to you. The hardy snake plant can grow from 12 to 48 inches tall and bears striking gold-rimmed leaves. Alternatively, the ZZ Plant is incredibly popular and one of the easiest indoor plants to care for. 

Light it Up

Recently businesses are moving away from the traditional fluorescent lighting as LED becomes cheaper and causes less migraine-symptoms. Depending on the area, different shades of lighting can set the right mood and improve employee productivity. Warm yellows are best for breakout areas and zen rooms as it supports relaxation and down time, whereas bright white boosts energy and creative output.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the light bars in your roof, consider introducing at least one additional form of lighting to your office makeover. Aside from the traditional desk or floor lamp, we recommend illuminating your walls instead. Wall lights are a fantastic way to save space and make a smaller room seem larger whilst also providing the opportunity to emphasize your décor scheme.

Creating that perfect space for you and your team can be very rewarding and doesn’t need to cost you an arm and a leg. Whether you love a DIY project or need the job done fast, there are many options to suit any budget and style.