Case study: How refurbishing our workplace has benefited my business

WHO: Ken Warner, managing director of Bristol- and London-based Warner Associates

WHAT: Office interiors specialists

THE ISSUE: To increase productivity and generate new business by improving the workplace

THE SOLUTION: "Our business designs and builds office interiors, but it was a couple of years before I realised how important it was to apply the same design principles to our own office. When we moved to long-term premises I wanted to make sure the workplace met our requirements exactly, as well as showing our clients that we know what we're doing!

"We applied the same processes that we use with our clients. I took a consultative approach, asking my employees what they wanted and thought we needed. From that we brainstormed ideas and came up with a list of essentials and nice-to-haves. Taking on board employees' suggestions is important - you'll find out things you didn't know, and they'll feel involved in the project.

"We wanted the environment to be functional but also appealing to us and our clients. One example of this is that we installed a coffee machine and made it a focal point. Everyone appreciates the smell of fresh coffee and it looks good too. For a while we had a pinball machine in the office because we wanted the atmosphere to be fun and lively, but after the thousandth game the thrill had started to diminish so we took it out!

"Our office had to be somewhere comfortable where people could exchange ideas but also get their heads down and work. As a result we now have a separated office - with one main workspace and a quieter area for people who need to get away from distraction.

"We've used colour blocks on the seating and the walls to improve the look and feel of the office. I'd advise keeping things simple, but adding colour to a workspace along with ensuring you've got the right lighting makes a big difference to how it feels to work in.

"Our office isn't huge so we decided to install built-in desks and storage to free up floorspace. Storage is more important than most people realise - our previous offices suffered from the usual clutter of stacks of files on the floor and things lying around in boxes. We actually measured the cumulative length of all the files and items that we needed to store and created storage to fit these exact requirements. As a result the new office pretty much de-cluttered itself, and has remained that way."

LESSONS LEARNED: "Starting from scratch in new premises was handy for us but everyone can step back from their existing premises and look at what needs improving.

"Before we moved and did the revamp our turnover was around £400,000 a year. After the revamp it more than tripled. The new office wasn't the only reason but it was a big factor - it was like wearing the right suit of clothes to ensure our clients and suppliers took us seriously. A good office makes a big statement, and we've definitely got new business as a result.

"We've noticed less absenteeism, too. If you have a dingy environment people do tend to be ill more often - partly you're giving them an excuse to be ill, or psychologically they might feel more miserable due to their surroundings. Also you have to think about whether you're giving people a reason to jump ship. Now we have exactly the right creative and professional vibe that the business needs, and my employees are more productive and committed as a result."