News — Office Chair Ergonomics

6 Team Productivity Hacks Every Manager Needs to Know

6 Team Productivity Hacks Every Manager Needs to Know

Productivity is the backbone of any successful team; when your team’s productivity soars, so can your business’s bottom line. Boosting team performance isn’t about squeezing out every last minute of work from your employees. It involves setting up your team members for success with the right tools, workplace environment, and strategies. From streamlined workflows to quality office furniture, there are smart ways to help your team work better together.

As New Zealand’s trusted experts in office furniture, we’ve supported countless offices in creating environments where teams can focus, collaborate, and thrive. In this article, we share practical, easy-to-implement hacks to increase team productivity, boost morale, and make your office a place where everyone can do their best work.

Setting clear, achievable goals is foundational to improving team productivity. The SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) ensures that goals are concrete and motivating. Short-term goals, like completing a weekly project milestone, can keep your team engaged in immediate tasks, while long-term goals, such as increasing team performance metrics by 10% over six months, can provide an overarching aim.

Example: If your goal is to increase customer satisfaction by 15% this quarter, a weekly target might involve each member following up with five clients to ensure their issues are fully resolved. Tracking progress on these micro-goals boosts employee productivity and keeps momentum strong.

Good communication is key to a productive team. Regular check-ins and constructive feedback loops make it easy for team members to clarify tasks, share progress, and resolve any roadblocks. Using communication platforms like Slack or project management tools can also support transparency and help to build confident team members.

Example: Implement a weekly 15-minute team huddle where everyone shares their top priority and any challenges they’re facing. This promotes openness, supports each team member, and makes it easier for a team leader to step in with assistance if needed.

Collaboration is a powerful way to improve team efficiency, as it leverages each member’s unique strengths. Structured group sessions, like brainstorming or collaborative tasks, encourage team building while supporting creativity. A well-designed workspace that includes communal areas and flexible desks can promote a collaborative spirit without compromising individual focus.

Example: Set up a 'collaboration corner' in the office, like a space with a whiteboard and flexible seating. Encourage team members to use it for quick discussions, creative brainstorming, or problem-solving sessions, enhancing team productivity without the need for a formal meeting room.

Flexible work options, like remote work or staggered hours, can positively impact a team's efficiency. This flexibility helps manage work-life balance, which is essential for preventing burnout. Project management tools like Trello or Asana facilitate task management in remote or hybrid setups, making flexible arrangements smoother and helping to increase productivity.

Example: Trial a 'Flex Friday,' where team members can choose to work remotely or in the office, depending on what suits them. This flexibility improves morale and boosts productivity, as team members feel empowered to manage their schedules effectively.

Encouraging regular breaks and wellness practices can increase team productivity by reducing stress and increasing focus. Studies show that short breaks can boost mental clarity and energy. Simple wellness practices, such as setting reminders to stand, stretch, or breathe deeply, can make a big difference.

Example: Create a 'Wellness Wednesday' initiative where team members take a 5-minute group stretch break or do a quick breathing exercise. Designate a quiet area in the office as a relaxation zone, helping to create a healthy work environment that promotes focus, along with mental and physical well-being.

Physical comfort plays a major role in improving team efficiency. When team members can work comfortably, they’re more likely to stay focused and engaged throughout the day. Ergonomic office chairs, equipped with features like adjustable height, lumbar support, and armrests, help prevent the physical strain that leads to discomfort and lost concentration. Studies indicate that ergonomic seating improves team performance and leads to increased job satisfaction by creating a supportive environment that directly affects productivity.

Example: Set up each workstation with ergonomic chairs that adjust to the user’s needs. For instance, provide office chairs with adjustable lumbar support and seat height so team members can customise them for optimal comfort and posture.

Implementing these productivity hacks can help you create a workplace where every team member feels supported and motivated to give their best. From setting clear goals to investing in ergonomic office furniture, these strategies contribute toward a positive work environment that can improve productivity, boost morale, and make work more enjoyable.

Workspace Direct understands how an office set up affects team productivity. With ergonomic office solutions, including top-quality office chairs designed for all-day comfort, our team is here to support your office in creating a productive, efficient, and welcoming environment. Contact Us today to explore how our range of quality office furniture can boost team productivity and set your business up for success. 

The Business Case for Ergonomic Office Chairs

Office Chairs - Tips for Perfect Posture & Enhanced Comfort

If you are sitting in an office chair for extended periods, understanding positive sitting posture can make a huge difference to your comfort and energy levels, your productivity, and your long-term health. An Ergonomic Office Chair is designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment. 

Here is a quick checklist to go through and check your sitting posture 

ELBOWS AT YOUR SIDE AND LEVEL WITH KEYBOARD

To be able to use the computer comfortably for extended periods of time, you need to be able to use your keyboard and mouse without stretching. Stretching or over-reaching while using the computer can cause forearm and shoulder tension and pain. Your shoulders should be relaxed, and your elbows close by your side and approximately level with your keyboard. If you’re reaching up, or your wrists are rolled back, you’ll quickly experience wrist strain, pain, and fatigue. 

EYES LEVEL TO THE TOP OF YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN

To protect your neck and shoulder muscles from strain and pain your eyes should be approximately level with the top of your screen. 

BACK AND LUMBAR PROPERLY SUPPORTED

If you’re sitting for some hours at a time our recommendation is that as a minimum your chair should have gas-lift seat height adjustment, and backrest angle and height adjustment. Always sit near the back of your seat. Make sure the chair backrest is adequately supporting your back and allowing you to sit with your back straight. The backrest lumbar support should be positioned to support your lower back. We recommend sitting with your torso and thighs at an angle a little more open than 90 degrees, with your knees slightly lower than your hips.This open-angle sitting position allows for good circulation and lung function. 

FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR

Place your feet flat on the floor or try a footrest, this can make a considerable difference to your comfort. If your feet aren’t reaching the floor or somehow supported, this will mean adding pressure under your thighs which can inhibit circulation and cause discomfort. 

REMEMBER TO MOVE!

Any prolonged sitting position, even a good one, can be tiring. As you’re working you can change your chair backrest angle or seat angle from time to time to allow your spine and muscles a variation in position. We recommend standing or move away from your office chair and regular intervals. If you have a standing desk you can alternate sitting and standing throughout the day. Take stretch breaks during the day. 

OTHER HELPFUL HINTS 

MINDFULNESS AND BREATHING

Having a stressful day? Try mindfulness techniques and deep breathing exercises to reduce stress. Simply take a few moments and focus on deep breathing to a regular count. 

STAY HYDRATED

Keep a water bottle at your desk or use a walk to the office water cooler as an opportunity to stretch and move.

 ERGONOMIC ACCESSORIES

Are you using the correct Ergonomic accessories? Consider a wrist-rest mouse pad, keyboard wrist-rest and adjustable monitor stand.

ABOUT OFFICE CHAIR MECHANISMS

3 LEVER OFFICE CHAIRS

• Gaslift height adjustment
• Backrest angle adjustment
• Seat angle adjustment
• Backrest height adjustment

With a 3-lever mechanism the seat and backrest angles are adjusted separately and can be moved to a position that suits you and then locked in place. The seat angle adjustment allows a forward tilt seat angle promoting an open body posture and positive circulation, and allowing the user to sit within easy reach of their work. A 3-lever mechanism allows enough adjustability to suit users working 8+ hours a day. Some chairs with 3-lever mechanisms also feature a Seat Slide function. This allows the seat depth to be adjusted to suit the user. Most New Zealanders like 3-lever mechanisms as they allow the most control over how you choose to sit.

2 LEVER OFFICE CHAIRS 

• Gaslift height adjustment
• Backrest angle adjustment
• Backrest height adjustment

The 2-lever mechanism backrest angle adjustment allows you to choose your backrest position and then lock it in place to suit. We recommend 2-lever mechanisms for users sitting for short periods up to 6 hours a day. Chairs with 2-lever mechanisms can also be fitted with a Seat Slide function. This allows the seat depth to be adjusted to suit the user. We also recommend 2-lever mechanisms for HighLift chairs, as we feel that maximum stability is achieved with a fixed seat angle.

SYNCHRO OFFICE CHAIRS

• Dynamic back and seat tilt movement
• Gas Lift height adjustment
• And sometimes lumbar height adjust

With a synchro mechanism the backrest and seat tilt movement is synchronised so they move together when adjusted. It is designed to be used in floating tilt mode so the backrest and seat move with you, following your movement to support you as you work. The tilt function can also be locked so the seat and back angle is fixed. On most chairs with synchro mechanisms the user needs to adjust the tilt tension to suit their body weight, so that the seat and back are providing you with appropriate support and you can move and tilt the chair comfortably. With backrest height or lumbar adjustment, a chair with a synchro mechanism offers enough adjustability to suit users working 8+ hours a day.

Be sure to check out our Best Selling Office Chairs at Workspace Direct

1. Buro Roma 3 Lever Office Chair

2. Chorus 3.5  3 Lever Office Chair

3. Spectrum 3 Lever Office Chair