Read More "Victory Offices Flexible Workspace Solutions"
The post Victory Offices Flexible Workspace Solutions appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>
In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic saw Australia move their employees from the office to their home. We juggled our professional and personal lives and embraced new technologies.
The way in which we work has changed forever and with that comes the opportunity to innovate and leave behind outdated ways of conducting business.
There are a myriad of benefits to flexible work spaces such as:
- No cumbersome commercial leases to sign
- The opportunity and flexibility to scale with no locked-in terms
- A space that allows you to choose when and where you work
- The ease of moving into a fully furnished office with all the amenities you could need
- A premium space in a sought-after location with an inbuilt and fun networking culture
So, what flexible working situation works for you exactly? At Victory Offices we offer a number of options, all of which can be tailored to your exact needs.
So, what flexible working situation works for you exactly?
Remember to subscribe to our channel Victory TV, and we’ll see you next time with more helpful videos.
Together we can EXCEED THE BENCHMARK.
The post Victory Offices Flexible Workspace Solutions appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Read More "How Laughter Can Positively Transform A Workplace"
The post How Laughter Can Positively Transform A Workplace appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>How Laughter can positively transform a workplace
Laughter is a free and underutilised resource that any workplace can benefit from. With stress and anxiety at peak levels across Australia, a good laugh can be refreshing and relieve tension from deadlines, overbearing colleagues, and revenue targets. Happier, livelier workplaces also tend to output excellent products and services as the employees tend to perform better, are more satisfied, and report less for stress and burnout.
There are also clear physical and mental benefits:
Physical benefits of laughing
- Decreases stress hormones
- Releases pain-reducing endorphins
- Improves immunity
- Gets your heart pumping
- Enhances intake of “oxygen-rich” air
- Aids muscle relaxation
Mental benefits of laughing
- Reduces stress
- Reduces negative feelings like anxiety and anger
- Boosts mood and creative output
- Boosts engagement and well-being
- Boosts analytical precision
How does laughter make me a better leader?
Cultivating and encouraging an atmosphere of laughter makes your colleagues enjoy working with you more and increases the trust you have with them. When they can see a good sense of humour and your ability to showcase your funny side every now and again, it doesn’t make you look any less of a professional, but instead, it creates a stronger relationship.
Managers should strive to create a habitat where employees feel supported to bounce ideas around without the fear of being shot down or judged. Entrepreneur Peter Sims wrote in his book Little Bets, “A playful, light-hearted, and humorous environment is especially helpful when ideas are incubating and newly hatched, the phase when they are most vulnerable to being snuffed out or even expressed because of being judged or self-censored.”
Another incentive to inject laughter into the workplace is that there is a correlation between executives who used humour and the bonuses they received. According to Fabio Sala in Harvard Business Review, the “funnier” an executive was, the higher the bonus.
How do I use humour at work without it being a liability?
Within the bounds of decency, laughter overall is a positive thing, and the benefits are countless. It is important to be conscious of the volume within your workplace and to avoid distracting colleagues. Teasing other staff members and telling dirty jokes is not the way to using humour in the workplace.
Here are some ideas of what you can do instead:
1. Master the art of self-deprecating humour
Making fun of yourself is always a safe choice in the workplace because it is unlikely to offend anyone. This type of humour indicates to others that you don’t take yourself too seriously and that you are a good sport about your shortcomings. Do not joke about your job skills though because it may put your capabilities into question.
2. Start meetings with work-appropriate jokes or funny stories paired with your intentions
You can say something like, “I believe we can laugh and enjoy ourselves whilst achieving our objectives. Please don’t mistake my use of humour as a lack of concentration. When we have a lively environment, you are more likely to be open to sharing, learning, and retain information for longer.”
3. Host “silly days”
Have employees dress up in silly socks, hats, glasses, etc. This is especially easy and fun to do when working from home.
4. Set up a funny library
Create a funny library with work-appropriate memes, jokes, GIFS etc.
5. Wordplay
Dad jokes and puns can be groan-worthy but if you manage to cleverly spin some industry-specific concepts, then you may be able to elicit a few laughs depending on the person.
5. Sarcasm
Sarcasm can be extremely effective, charming, and clever if used correctly. Use it sparingly at work because it can also send mixed messages. Stay away from using sarcasm for delivering important messages.
A little laughter at work goes a long way. It is the sound of successful collaboration, bonding, and a supportive environment. Consider ways of making your workplace more joyous as the mental and physical benefits of laughter are immense. Don’t be afraid and let out your chuckle, chortle, or even your full-belly laugh!
Are you in need of a hearty laugh and a good drop of wine? Victory Offices, Business In Heels, and Naked Wines are partnering to deliver exactly that! Join us for a fun and lively evening with headlining comedian, speaker, and founder of Shebah, George McEncroe.
We have some amazing prizes up for grabs such as a 1-hour marketing consultation, The Relax Bundle from The Base Collective, yoga classes, and MORE! Each ticket also comes with a $100 voucher for Naked Wines. Who wouldn’t want that?!
Register HERE.
The post How Laughter Can Positively Transform A Workplace appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Read More "Dispelling The Top 5 Most Common Misconceptions About Flexible Workspaces"
The post Dispelling The Top 5 Most Common Misconceptions About Flexible Workspaces appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Dispelling The Top 5 Most Common Misconceptions About Flexible Workspaces
In this ever-changing environment, flexibility is key to sustaining business so it is no surprise that flexible workspaces are becoming increasingly popular with the global flexible workspace market expected to expand at a CAGR of +12% over the forecast period 2020-2026. Its projected growth and the increasing market is incredible, so how come many entrepreneurs and businesses have held back from using flexible office space?
Here, we tackle and dispel the top 5 most common misconceptions about flexible workspaces and reveal why flexible workspaces are something you should keep in your back corner for business success.
Misconception 1: Looks Unprofessional And Unestablished
There is a level of trepidation attached to the idea that without your business name on your office building, clients may presume your business is unprofessional or unestablished. This is not the case at all. What matters to clients is not the brand logo slapped on the front of a building, yet it is the service and value that is delivered. Instagram, Uber, and Spotify all started at coworking spaces and their value was never diminished because they operated in a flexible workspace. It worked to their advantage as potential clients saw them as forward-thinking, risk-mitigative, and a business that seeks creative solutions and a collaborative community. Flexible workspaces offer a wealth of high-quality facilities, resources, and superior customer service, never failing to leave a long-lasting impression on members and their clients.
Misconception 2: Coworking And Flexible Workspaces Are Only For Startups, Freelancers, And Solopreneurs
Whilst originally, coworking and flexible workspaces appealed to small startup teams and ‘solopreneurs’, large companies and multi-national enterprises are now seeing the value that flexible workspaces can offer and how it can fit into their flexible work arrangements. Organisations have learned that employees are happier and more productive with increased flexibility at work and there is less of a need for a large real estate footprint in today’s market. Flexible workspaces offer various options suitable for the needs of any business. For example, if you are an Australian business and find that you have a growing customer base in Asia, you may want to expand to meet the demands of those new customers but the costs and risks involved in setting up an office are too great; this is where a flexible workspace can assist you. Quickly open a fully-furnished office using a flexible workspace provider and start working, all while enjoying 20% to 40% lower costs than a traditional office space; all the business-grade amenities, utilities, and services are already established for you. Flexible workspaces are accessible, affordable, risk-mitigative, and reap all the benefits of a traditional office space without the long leases and comprehensive expenses.
Misconception 3: Coworking Is Noisy And Distracting
Coworking spaces are a hub of innovative individuals or teams wanting to work, connect, and be productive. As most people there welcome the sound of spontaneous conversations and ideas bouncing off at team discussions, there is a mutual understanding of respect within the community that people are there to work so noise levels are kept low. 74% of professionals felt a boost in their productivity when working in a coworking space as it creates an environment of progress and activity. When complete silence or privacy is needed, flexible workspaces offer private office suites, phone booths, and meetings rooms, giving you the options to have the best of both worlds.
Misconception 4: Flexible Workspaces Are Expensive
This misconception derives from those comparing the cost of working from home to the cost of rented workspace. Working from home is indeed cheaper than working at a flexible workspace, however it can also cost you in more ways than one. Many remote workers report feeling isolated, struggle with juggling the work-life balance, and sometimes feel their productivity and creativity can suffer. Compared to traditional office leases, flexible workspaces are cheaper and will not only save you money, but time as well. You can tailor packages to meet your exact business needs and requirements, paying only for what you need and therefore minimising unnecessary expenses. With simple monthly fees covering all outgoings, office equipment, telecom services, administrative services, cleaning, etc. expenses, setting up your dream office can be done within budget. It is more than just an office you are getting, it offers a community, events, networking opportunities, and more benefits that you wouldn’t get through a traditional office lease.
Misconception 5: You Cannot Customise The Workspace
Not true, it all depends on the specific serviced office provider! If you would like to personalise your space and provide a unique experience for your clients in line with your brand, then you will have to do some research and shop around to find a provider that does so. Serviced office and flexible workspace provider, Victory Offices, offers a fully customisable fit-out option for your private office suite. The process is seamless and personalised, from having a meeting with a design consultant to establishing the brief, to the formal quotation and finally the setup and handover, the process is that simple. If you’re after that personal touch, find a serviced office provider that is open to office customisations.
Sometimes, changing up the way you work can feel daunting because of the unknown yet it can also turn into a decision that you won’t look back on and regret. We work for such a long period of our lives and it is beneficial for you and your business to find the right workspace. Flexible workspaces offer many different solutions and it is the flexibility and collaboration of these spaces that will see your business through.
The post Dispelling The Top 5 Most Common Misconceptions About Flexible Workspaces appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Read More "Trading Halts and Capital Raising: The Purpose vs The Perception"
The post Trading Halts and Capital Raising: The Purpose vs The Perception appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Trading Halts and Capital Raising:
The Purpose vs the perception
Whether you invest in the Australian Stock Market (ASX) or not, a trading halt has the potential to sound ominous and worrying, however it’s not so uncommon in volatile economic climates and is more considered as a viable channel for organisations to take to protect their businesses and its shareholders. We are seeing many companies voluntarily suspend trading in a bid to accelerate recovery and secure their future.
Victory Offices had a one and a half month trading suspension in April and following that time off, announced the success of securing $15 million in Capital Raising. The funds raised will be used to strengthen the company’s balance sheet to manage the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and to fund working capital requirements of the business over the next 12 months.
CEO Dan Baxter stated, “the equity raising announced today, alongside operation and cost saving initiatives, will position Victory Offices to overcome adversities associated with COVID-19 and current market conditions.” It is a step in Victory Offices’ COVID-19 recovery plan and said to put Victory in a stronger position than their competitors.
It is not only Victory Offices that has had to halt trading and undertake strategies such as raising capital to place them in a better position as business conditions improve. Local and global companies are doing the exact same. For example, retail and services business – Kogan (ASX:KGN), vitamins group – Blackmores (ASX:BKL), and health food company – Freedom Foods (ASX:FNP), have also implemented a trading halt. Just last Thursday, Australian airline – Qantas (ASX:QAN), announced a trading halt and a capital raising of $1.9 billion to accelerate its recovery and position itself for new opportunities.
Although some may view a trading halt and efforts to raise capital as a sign of insecurity, it more so reveals the corporate support a company has gained. When a company has secured capital, it shows that investors see potential in the company’s future growth trajectory and the ability to sustain rapid revenue growth.
Victory Offices have now re-opened on the ASX market and their recent equity raising has positioned them to weather the situation that COVID-19 has caused the commercial real estate industry. According to Baxter, Victory forecasts an occupancy rate of 20% up to September, rising to 50% of “pre COVID-19 levels” by December and 80% by June 2021. Exceedingly promising statistics within 12 months for all invested both personally and financially with Victory Offices.
During this unprecedented period, it is crucial that companies deem it necessary to strengthen their balance sheets and liquidity position as the road to recovery will be long. These are a sign of the times and as more companies have their business operations severely disrupted due to ongoing COVID-19 government regulations, it won’t be surprising to see more trading halt and capital raising announcements on the ASX. Let’s just hope they all result in a positive outcome such as this one.
As business longevity and profit margins continue to be the talk of the town, flexible workspace providers are seeing a surge in demand, with small to large organisations utilising flexible workspaces to mitigate risk wherever possible.
The post Trading Halts and Capital Raising: The Purpose vs The Perception appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Read More "Why Businesses Are Looking Toward Flexible Workspaces to Mitigate Risk"
The post Why Businesses Are Looking Toward Flexible Workspaces to Mitigate Risk appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Why businesses are looking towards flexible workspaces to mitigate risk
Flexible workspaces, such as coworking and serviced offices, are often recognised as the perfect solution for startups and small businesses looking to take that next step in their business. But following the impact of COVID-19, it’s not only startups that are considering shared workspaces. Established businesses are putting flexible workspace solutions at the top of their risk mitigation strategies. So will you follow suit?
We’ve seen a growing demand for flexible workspaces with a 30 per cent rise in the number of customers worldwide over the past couple of months. Private serviced offices, coworking spaces and shared spaces, virtual offices, as well as hot desks, have become an appealing and viable option for a larger section of the economy.
“The pandemic has shown a lot of businesses that they don’t need to lock themselves into a commercial lease”, says Misha Baxter, Global General Manager at Victory Offices.
In a 2019 survey of 19,000 business professionals across 96 countries, 73% of respondents said flexible working helped them to mitigate risk. This number is expected to grow significantly as businesses around the world further recognise the importance of the ability to pivot business operations as crises occur.
With so many industry-leaders focusing their efforts on business continuity, fortification, and revenue generation, many are asking themselves, how can my workspace adapt to the new ‘normal’ and how can it help manage new risks?
Following suit of these durable organisations can prove significantly beneficial for your business by considering the multiple avenues available to help ensure success, especially during these unpredictable times.
If you’re transitioning back to ‘normal’ business, or even just thinking about getting back to work, here are 5 reasons to keep in mind on why flexible workspaces are being considered across the globe as the best solution to mitigate business risks:
1. Reduce Financial Risk
Coworking spaces and serviced offices allow you more room-to-breathe financially as you can tailor packages to meet your exact needs and requirements, paying only for what you need and therefore minimising unnecessary expenses. With monthly invoicing covering all office, reception, furniture, cleaning, telecom, etc. expenses, the forecasting of your month-to-month cashflow and capex are significantly easier to not only manage, but optimise. This is incredibly advantageous as the hardest cost to minimise for SME’s are inherently the overhead costs required in traditional long-term leases.
2. Minimise Security Risks
It’s critical that businesses secure both their company data and that of their clients. A 2019 Australian Government report revealed one cybercrime is reported every ten minutes. As more professionals work from home, the risk of cyber security breaches is set to increase. Victory Offices’ flexible workspaces have an entire network of security measures put in place to prevent cyber attacks on your intellectual property.
3. Scalability
Coworking and serviced offices provide the freedom and flexibility to scale up and down at short notice. As businesses expand or reduce their workforce, flexible workspaces allow them to adjust accordingly with ease. Companies can have a full desk and IT setup essentially straight away, enabling them to get down to business immediately, as it’s simply ‘plug-in and play’. Whereas standard commercial leases are cumbersome, unadorned, lengthy, and can demand huge notice periods, making scaling to meet your business’ needs difficult, be it temporarily or permanently.
4. Focus on Core Business Operations
Business owners who utilise the advantageous services of flexible workspaces can ensure the seamless running of their business knowing that their administrative tasks are taken care of. Forget IT setup, daily cleaning, and reception duties, it’s all taken care of when you’re with a serviced office provider, so you have more time to focus on what really matters, your business.
5. Employee Acquisition and Retention
In this extremely connected and competitive occupational world, employee expectations and needs are everchanging. 84% of Australian workers would choose a job which offered flexible working over a job that didn’t. This includes working from home, working from a nearby location, working on the move, or just some breathing space to balance work-life commitments. If businesses want to succeed, they need to meet the ever-adjusting needs and expectations of employees and adopt flexible workspace strategies to help ensure they don’t risk losing out on top talent.
Generation Z will soon entail the majority of the workforce so it’s important to adapt your workplace and its benefits to this ‘digital generation’. By 2030, it is estimated that 30% of corporate real estate will be flexible. Get ahead of the game and consider a flexible workspace to obtain that winning edge over your competitors whilst also alleviating office expenses and operational restrictions.
It is crucial now and beyond, to seamlessly adapt processes and operations in order to negate business risks where possible. Thankfully, Victory Offices has remained open during the recent turbulent times, enabling members to continue working in a creative, risk-minimising, and safe space.
Victory Offices is currently offering a 2 weeks free trial so you can come in to any of our locations across Australia and experience the Victory difference for yourself and see how our exceptional facilities and amenities, award-winning services, and prime locations can help enhance your business.
The post Why Businesses Are Looking Toward Flexible Workspaces to Mitigate Risk appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>The post A significant rise in new enquiries – Businesses are now looking forward to getting “back to work” appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>A significant rise in new enquiries – Businesses are now looking forward to getting "back to work”
As we slowly see the roads a bit fuller in the morning and more people catching public transport, it’s apparent that businesses are slowly getting back to normal, returning little-by-little, taking in consideration all the restrictions necessary. As a result, we’ve seen the demand for flexible workspaces increase over the last few weeks.
Isolation has forced organisations to reflect on the way they operate and adapt to changing situations – Should more employees work remotely? Do we need such a large real estate footprint? What ways can we save on expenses? What does our business need right now? – This has led companies to turn to flexible workspaces as a solution.
Even prior to the recent announcement of the Government’s roadmap to slowly lift lockdown rules, enquiries have surged and businesses are hankering to get back up and running.
Flexible workspaces provide great value and you guessed it – flexibility.
We’ve been receiving an influx of startups, SMEs and large corporations looking to benefit from the myriad of solutions Victory Offices offers, providing them with the flexibility and tailorable requirements dependant on their situation, like the following cases.
- Private Office
From small to big companies, we have a variety of enquiries when it comes to private offices. Spaces to accommodate 1 to 3 people or to have an office big enough to fit 45-50 people, keeping social distancing in mind – it’s always easy to meet the needs of our members due to the range of locations and office types. A member asking for an office with a view, to make every work day more enjoyable – we’re more than happy to accommodate. Our focus is ensuring our members’ needs are met with superior amenities, prime locations, and 6-star customer services. As we did for Swire Oilfield Services
“I wanted to thank the Victory Offices Perth team for your professionalism and sensitivity during this time, having you supporting us has been extremely comforting at times and we appreciate that you went to that level for us”
- Coworking and Suburban offices
While our suburb locations have continued to perform well during COVID, the enquiries for coworking across all of our suburban offices are increasing. A new trend is now emerging in suburban coworking – with organisations having realised there are more than just logistical benefits to offer their staff the flexibility to work closer to home, even if it’s just for a couple of days a week.
- Meeting Room
A training room enquiry came through for Victory Offices, with the need of a space big enough to accommodate 6 to 12 people as the business’ usual training room was at a capacity when adhering to the social distancing rules. At Victory Offices, our meeting rooms and boardrooms suit 4 – 12 people, and training rooms can seat over 200, so this was the key reason Victory Offices was selected as their solutions provider.
- Virtual Office
Virtual options are the best for those whose presence in the business world needs to be presented as professional and with prime addresses. It comes as no surprise that our Virtual Office services are particularly popular, with enquiries coming through not only for Virtual services, but also taking advantage of the additional amenities and secretarial services available to them. One of our latest enquiries needed a short-term full package from our virtual offers – and transitioning to a long-term package once their situation evolves. Victory Offices’ virtual packages are very flexible and interchangeable – which makes them one of the most popular amongst our members.
2020 is the year that companies have been forced to assess their operations and has provided the opportunity to break the mould and switch to a new model moving forward.
The post A significant rise in new enquiries – Businesses are now looking forward to getting “back to work” appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Read More "Loyalty in Business Goes a Long Way"
The post Loyalty in Business Goes a Long Way appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Loyalty in business goes a long way
The very nature of business is highly competitive. Everyone wants to be the best in their industry. At the very least, in this post-COVID-19 world, you want to stay afloat. As desperation runs high, companies expose their true colours and the extreme efforts they go to in order to capture sales. Loyalty is a key quality that businesses need to both offer and attain from their customers naturally but it’s crucial to sustain business in critical times.
We are living in “Coronavirus times” where businesses of all sizes and from all industries are reeling from the effects of the global pandemic. Employers and employees have been stretched thin and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed or vulnerable during this time.
We’ve seen restaurants and cafes shut but stay open for takeaway orders and home deliveries only. These businesses must rely on their digital marketing skills and the loyalty of their customers to keep business open. The same applies to the corporate world.
The loyalty a business cultivates with their customers is imperative to business growth and success, especially during these uncertain times. Everyone is struggling and when you think about your personal consumer choices, will you go with the brand that’s always been there for you, the one that you can trust, or the one that you’re unfamiliar with but are offering a great deal right now? Which is why loyalty in business is beneficial for many reasons but one of the most important reasons is that it makes customers come back, spend more money, and refer your business to their friends. This is extremely crucial right now as most people are financially struggling due to COVID-19.
In these dire circumstances, the battle to survive can get ugly, especially in highly proliferated markets. Coronavirus, or crises, is not an excuse for businesses to resort to underhanded tactics such as poaching competitors’ clients or cajoling. It is unprofessional, impertinent and damages a company’s reputation in the long run.
Best-practice businesses make sacrifices during hard times in the best interests of their community to ensure the high-quality standard does not change as challenges arise. Victory Offices employees have volunteered to reduce their work hours to put Victory members first. By doing so, Victory Offices can remain open, support their members, and provide the same award-winning 6-star customer service, even during a crisis. This shows genuine loyalty between staff and the company and to their clients as well. The alternative option that other companies have displayed is not only reducing employee hours but standing down hundreds of staff as well.
As customers and business owners, do you want to jump ship to a company that uses unscrupulous practises or do you want to stay committed to those who you know, who you can trust and who have been there for you in hard times?
Now more than ever, your efforts to attain business continuity should be focused on loyalty coming from both the company and the customer. Not only when you are the customer, but you must consider the same perspective with your company and your customers. The value you can provide to your community will make all the difference and reward you in the long run.
For businesses that have possibly adopted a defeatist outlook or lost confidence in their abilities, let’s take a breath and regain perspective. Start to create or nurture those loyal relationships. Don’t be too concerned with perfection, just make sure you focus on that forward-motion of action and respect.
Come and try our 6-star experience for yourself for free
Victory Offices is offering a FREE 2 week trial at any office location across Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth and Brisbane.
Learn moreThe post Loyalty in Business Goes a Long Way appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Read More "Making the Most of Your Isolation While it Lasts"
The post Making the Most of Your Isolation While it Lasts appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Making the most of isolation while it lasts
The Coronavirus Pandemic has forced millions of Australians to press pause on the hustle and bustle of their daily lives and to stay at home in a bid to flatten the curve.
We live in a fast-paced world where everyone is working their hardest to earn more, consume more and achieve more in the pursuit of happiness. The pace at which we live can be so fast that we forget to savour the moments and place a priority on the things that really matter to us.
During this current isolation period, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay indoors and spend some quality time with loved ones, whether it be with our kids, partners, pets, or our amazing selves.
As much as we are all craving to have that first meal at a restaurant, to have a night out with friends, to return to the office or the gym, we should make the most of this situation before everything goes back to normal. How often do we get the chance and the time to pursue our lost passions or to embrace our loved ones?
This isolation may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but one thing is for sure – it has taught us to be more mindful and introspective. With so many of our daily activities restricted, we have learnt to appreciate what we have and to make the most of it.
As we approach May 2020, it is looking hopeful for Australians, with Scott Morrison stating he would “love to see a return to normal right across the board…and that includes people going to work in offices.”
The effective reproduction number for Australia is below one, estimating a decline in the epidemic, explains a paper published by Doherty Institute. At this rate, the Government is preparing to pick up the economy and get Australians back to work, meaning normal life may soon resume.
So, with talk surrounding the end of complete isolation or at least the end of everyone working from home, it’s time to enjoy and appreciate these moments of simplicity before the rush of your busy life takes over.
We have all been there where you get home from work and you’re just “too tired” to play with the kids or do anything else. Now that the whole family is at home, you can afford to play some board games or bake some bread together or you can reflect on your habits and spend time to work on them.
These wholesome activities are usually pushed to the side when you’re preoccupied with daily life and can’t spare enough time for loved ones and self-care.
It is understandably a frustrating time for everyone, however, you can choose to be grateful for what you do have and make the best out of this situation while it lasts because we may never have these set of unique circumstances ever again.
“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.”
The post Making the Most of Your Isolation While it Lasts appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Read More "4 Ways to Deal with Uncertainty and What We Can Learn from It"
The post 4 Ways to Deal with Uncertainty and What We Can Learn from It appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
No one could have guessed that shaking hands and having a large family gathering would be outlawed activities in 2020, yet that is the new reality we collectively face. The current COVID-19 pandemic has catapulted the word ‘uncertainty’ into everyone’s lives and rightly so. We are facing twin crises of health and the economy, with major uncertainty over employment, catching or coping with the virus, finances, relationships, and the question on everyone’s lips is when can we all return to normalcy?
Many of us are feeling stressed and anxious with the unprecedented levels of disruption and the adjustment to our new reality. It can be very difficult during this time, even for the toughest of people, but there are actionable ways to deal with it and even learn from times of uncertainty.
Here are 4 simple practises to deal with uncertainty:
- Acceptance
It is natural for humans to demand predictability and to want to control everything, however, embracing uncertainty is an essential part of living, as very little is constant in our lives. When bad things happen, some people prefer to ignore it, however our feelings can catch us by surprise at a later time. Therefore, take the time to acknowledge your feelings, whether it be feelings of stress, sadness, frustration, worry or anxiety, and allow yourself to feel those emotions and to come to terms with them. As hard as things are, you are not alone in this and expressing your feelings to a loved one, a close friend or seeking professional support may help and bring you one step closer to peace of mind. The act of letting go and accepting things “as is” encourages us to move on and to draw our focus on things that we can control.
- Self-care
When everyone is feeling on edge, the best way to stay healthy and calm is self-care. Doing everyday things that relax and centre you, makes you feel physically and emotionally safe and brings a level of control back to your life will be nourishing for yourself and others around you. Try to maintain some balance in your life with enough sleep, exercise, and brain stimulation each day. Such activities may include reading, exercising, going for a long walk, cooking, playing games, or learning a new skill. With all this uncertainty, it is common to seek information constantly to retain some certainty, however, it can be counterproductive as the onslaught of media coverage on COVID-19 may add to your anxiety. Make self-care a priority as these little acts for yourself can be an immediate mood booster and bring back some confidence you may have lost.
- Positive Thinking
In these times, we can often feel powerless and anxious but it’s how we frame it that can help us exercise agency over these unfortunate circumstances. Your mindset is the one thing you can control, and it is super important when it comes to battling unforeseen hardships like the Coronavirus. Try your best to be positive and to focus on the things you have and not what you’ve lost. Being grateful for the little things is powerful for your mind as it opens news waves of thinking that are more likely to help you come out of this favourably. There is creativity and strength in turning uncertainty into possibilities. The effects of Coronavirus will be long-lasting, likely to cause a recession, but as seen in the past, communities will recover, re-form and resume after this pandemic has passed.
- Compassion and Kindness
Everyone could do with a bit more kindness right about now. Australians are becoming more anxious about the threat of the Coronavirus and it’s very likely that your neighbour, friend, or the person you walked past on the street, is feeling emotions of stress and ambiguity as well. Be conscious of how people are feeling and be kind towards everyone. Pay it forward and spread some positivity to others that are facing unfortunate circumstances.
Practising social distancing makes us more distant than ever, yet we do not have to be disconnected from each other. Call or video conference your friends and family to chat, eat a meal together virtually, workout, or play online games together. Show compassion and kindness to others during this trying time as people need it now more than ever.
Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.
What we can learn from uncertain times?
Resilience – Uncertain times test our mental toughness and our will and character. Life has been upended and these trying times continually push us down, but this presents us with the opportunity to bounce back stronger with a greater sense of awareness and appreciation.
Resourcefulness – In the face of chaos, the skill to manage stress and demonstrate critical problem-solving is valuable. For many business professionals, it has forced us to refresh business models and approaches. For example, with everyone working from home, is there a need for businesses to attain large real estate footprint to do business? Companies could instead integrate strategies like outsourcing virtual assistants and adopting flexible workspaces to pay for space when and where they need it. These strategies reduce business costs and create elasticity, which is crucial for business growth and success.
Sometimes it can get overwhelming, even when you’ve been practising these skills. If you require additional support, please contact any of the following support services:
The post 4 Ways to Deal with Uncertainty and What We Can Learn from It appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>Read More "COVID-19 and telecommuting – a bittersweet mix"
The post COVID-19 and telecommuting – a bittersweet mix appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>In this context, we have seen a big increase in the reliance on technology to keep most businesses afloat and running “as per usual”.
One third of companies worldwide had employees well-equipped to work from home prior to the COVID-19 pandemic set in, while the rest had to rush to get all the furniture and other components to create a home-office set-up. If that sounds like you over the last few weeks, you’re not alone! Most companies have either decided or been forced to go fully virtual, requiring most, if not all, of their employees to work from home. But are we really prepared for this switch?
While working from home has a lot of perks for most, like saving a few dollars on transport and not having to deal with the morning rush hour or crowded public transport, distractions at home such as kids, a partner that must also work from home, or even a puppy that craves attention, have the potential to cause our work productivity to decrease.
Whether we are happy about it or not, there are still a few issues that we are all encountering when working from home:
- Getting connected: One of the most commons problems of working from home is dealing with the internet. No matter which provider you’re with, it’s highly unlikely to have the same internet speeds you are adapted to in the office. Not to mention those living in a share house or with family at home and competing with every device in the household! Now you’re trying to get connected to a videoconference or the company’s server but with everyone on at the same time, connections can cut out, you can only hear every second word in your virtual meeting, or you can’t access the files you need, and suddenly the comfort of a “pop-up home office” is not always a dream come true.
- Physical space: Now let’s talk about the workspace set-up and what accessories we need. Did the company give you a quasi-impossible list of things you have to get before working from home? A desk, an ergonomic desk chair, mousepad, extra screen, and the list goes on and on… Most retailers have been selling out of these home office staples and a lot have been forced to make do with what was already around the house.
- Meetings: Grabbing your notebook or laptop and walking to the boardroom to get into the weekly meeting with your peers has now translated to making sure you’re wearing a proper shirt and finding a quiet spot in your house with no embarrassing background to get into that videocall. Not always easy is it? We’ve all seen across different social platforms those embarrassing moments where there is always someone making a fool of themselves in those virtual meetings held in Zoom or Skype for Business. Not only do you risk becoming the next viral video (and not in a good way), but depending who you’re on the call with, the repercussions it could have on your business suddenly escalate.
- Getting in the zone: When we are at work, we manage to have better concentration and we don’t have any distractions that could potential makes us lose track of what we are doing. When you are at home, it’s easier to get distracted by anything. Whether you other people around, pets, the tv on in the background, or even a cake burning in the oven – distractions are unavoidable! Some studies show that a few people can get better results from working from home, but that same study shows that most humans can’t.
- Extra hours: As per all the others perks that we encounter, we manage to take more time to do our daily tasks and to deliver work in the same time we manage to do in the office. The reasons are simple, all the obstacles we have when we work from home, sometimes don’t let us finish on time. Plus, we have don’t have to travel back home – we are already there! So instinctively we try to finish the task and without realising it’s 7 pm and we have passed our work hours!
Is Australia really ready to work from home? The value and impact of establishing boundaries between work and home life and being able to switch off at the end of the day has never been more apparent for both our physical and mental health. With no defined end in sight for COVID-19, many businesses are developing or implementing “work-from-home policies” to ensure business continuity and employee wellbeing. For some, employers and employees alike, the “work from home” concept is just not suitable or effective.
After all we must take care of our mental heath and the stress generated to accomplish some basics tasks that could now seem enormous with all the distractions that we are facing at home. We all feel the stress to execute proper plans for our business from our little home office and sometimes just wish we’ll be all back in the office to have a proper meeting with our colleagues. Thankfully we still have some options at Victory Office, where we can accommodate any business needs and without exposing anyone to any risk – our Business Continuity Program has multiple options that could suit you.
The post COVID-19 and telecommuting – a bittersweet mix appeared first on Victory Offices.
]]>