Tag: Work environment

How Business Leaders Can Embrace Social and Environmental Responsibilities | Entrepreneur
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In a connected and digital world, consumers aren’t interested in just the products they’re buying – they want to know the faces behind them.

Entrepreneurs today have corporate social responsibility. Profit results from motivated employees, loyal customers and new investors wanting to be involved with a business that is mindful of its surrounding community and environment. To be successful, entrepreneurs need an eye for sustainability.

What does social responsibility look like? What falls under the umbrella of environmental sustainability? This article will explore ethical entrepreneurship and what it means to run a business and understand consumer behavior.

Related: Ethics in Entrepreneurship: Learning from Elizabeth Holmes’ Lies

Ethics explained

Broadly defined, ethics is the theoretical study of “right” versus “wrong” – it provides a lens into morality and judgment.
- Applied ethics assesses what a person should (or shouldn’t) do in a given situation. Many fields — from engineering to science, public service to business — incorporate applied ethics.
- Business ethics pertains explicitly to the trust built between consumers and business owners. The discipline rose in prominence in the 20^th century as society became consumer-based and held corporations accountable for their influence on the environment and social causes.
- Clarity and transparency about core values are key to cultivating this public trust.
Related: 7 Critical Pieces of Business Advice for Entrepreneurs Just Getting Started

Being an ethical entrepreneur

When starting a new business, entrepreneurs today must focus on well-defined goals. They consider their personal aspirations, tolerance of risk, the strength of their strategy and their potential to execute said strategy. Forward-thinking is critical: What impact will their businesses have, what values will they endorse, and how will they be consistent in doing so?

Communicating corporate values to employees ensures business representatives act with the customer in mind rather than themselves. Entrepreneurs can develop an ethics statement and make it public. A strong foundation allows leaders to highlight scenarios that show ethics in practice and clarify what to do when those values are broken. Allocating the time to define and communicate core values encourages workplace integrity, attracting stakeholders.

Related: Are Employees Truly More Ethical in the Office? A Behavioral Economist Debunks This Deeply Rooted Belief.

Why transparency matters

By 2025, millennials will comprise an estimated 75% of the American workforce. This generation wants to be led by business leaders who are driven and accomplished, act as willing mentors, and don’t shy from transparency in their personal and professional lives.

Similarly, millennials, as consumers, expect businesses to be transparent on social media. They want brands and CEOs to share their values and be reassured that these individuals are fair, respectable, and considerate – and worth their money.

While millennials have a strong presence on Instagram, Gen Z leads consumer behavior on TikTok. In fact, out of all the age demographics, Gen Z has the biggest influence on consumer trends. They have an estimated buying power of over 400 billion dollars in the United States alone.

As digital natives, Gen Zers expect businesses to be authentic and relevant on social media. They want to buy – and accept brand deals – from businesses spearheading social change and prioritizing fair labor, diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Across the board, 70% of consumers feel a stronger connection to brands with CEOs with active social media accounts. They like brands that positively contribute to society and help people in need. Overall, 81% of people think brands are responsible for being transparent on social media. Entrepreneurs are expected to:
- State company values.
- Welcome discussion.
- Clarify how and when customer data is used.
- Explain all facets of billing and fees.
Above all, entrepreneurs should stand by their word and keep their social and environmental stewardship promises.

Related: How to Balance Ethical Growth and Competitive Advantages

Social responsibility

Having a core ethics statement and being transparent about it is necessary for ethical entrepreneurship — but what activities do business leaders actually participate in? How do they engage their social responsibility?

Entrepreneurs can take part in philanthropic work, whether donating money, products, or services, volunteering with nonprofits, or partnering with charities and local community groups. Business leaders might also encourage their employees to volunteer. According to a 2017 Deloitte Volunteerism Survey, 74% of working Americans thought corporate volunteerism provided an improved sense of purpose. In addition, 89% believed companies that sponsored volunteer activities boasted a better work environment overall. Social impact is a significant motivator, as well. Of the millennials surveyed, 75% felt they would volunteer more often if they had a better understanding of the impact of their work.

Ethical entrepreneurship ensures fair wages, treatment, and working conditions, and it promotes community engagement in matters that truly resonate with the business. This authenticity radiates to all stakeholders: investors, employees, suppliers, and customers.

Environmental sustainability

Business owners also have a responsibility to the environment. Sustainability (defined by the UN World Commission on Environment and Development) is the balance between meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future. It operates under the assumption that resources are finite.

As suppliers of a service or product, entrepreneurs are part of a cycle that requires giving back and doing their part to ensure the longevity of resources. Business owners can adopt green habits, such as reducing paper waste, incorporating reusable products into their practice, lowering emissions, and improving energy efficiency by using LED bulbs, for instance.

Consumers look for companies with a dedicated mission to environmental sustainability and are willing to pay more for sustainable products. While millennials and boomers think about the materials a company uses, Gen Z is starting to focus on the manufacturing process itself. A company focused on sustainability – from material sourcing to manufacturing, shipping, and selling – benefits not only from a strong reputation but also from the long-term cost savings of improved operational efficiencies.
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Prabhat Sharma

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September 7, 2023
A Drab Office Environment Kills Productivity. Here Are 3 Ways to Upgrade Your Workspace. | Entrepreneur

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

I was at my first well-being workshop and couldn’t stop hearing the irritating drip of the coffee machine at my workplace. This was a phantom noise that accompanied me even outside of office hours. Our instructor indicated we close our eyes and picture our work environments as a haven, one where we were free to be our most productive selves. But whenever I’d shut my eyes, all I could see were sterile walls and the cheap lighting at our corporate headquarters. There was nothing peaceful or soothing about this image, to say the least.

“Your well-being is a reflection of your environment,” the instructor explained.

I tried to visualize an oasis instead. What would I actually want my workplace to look like? I pictured a welcoming environment with lush plants lining the walls. Sleek and vibrant furniture. Inviting colors and spaces. I figured that if I couldn’t experience all of this firsthand, I’d at least use my imagination.

This was more than 17 years ago, back when I was a programmer for a large company in New York. It was at that point in my career that I vowed to do differently if I ever owned my own business. People would want to come to work.

Fast forward to this year, and I’ve been CEO of my form-building company for more than a decade. The memory of that workshop remains fresh even now. And I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that my team doesn’t have to use their “imagination” to feel comforted by their environment.

How environmental aesthetics impacts you

In my new book Automate Your Busywork, I talk about saving your brain for the big stuff. And that involves looking after our overall well-being, including the places we spend the bulk of our time in.

The environmental aesthetics of our workplace has a greater impact on our mood, motivation and productivity than we know. According to Vikram Rao at The Economic Times, our environment greatly influences our performance and mental framework. More than that, it encourages us to be happier and more efficient in all aspects of our lives. “A bright and cheerful space invariably uplifts the mood and productivity, and also has a beneficial psychological impact on employees,” Rao writes.

“A quality workspace design leads to a less stressful and more productive atmosphere,” writes Forbes contributor Alan Kohll. “Employees need to feel comfortable and calm in their physical work settings to produce their best work.”

Research from the Fellowes Work Colleague of the Future Report found that to enjoy good health in the future, we need to broaden our health focus from just gyms and restaurants to our lives as a whole. And one of the key areas is the office.

The researchers also noted the following: “Globally, more people work in offices than any other work environment. And yet, this setting is becoming hazardous to our well-being. Unchecked, the office is set to present a significant threat to each nation’s future health, and ultimately, its productivity.”

Avoiding the above, then, is instrumental for our teams to be at the top of their game. Here are some ways you can create a workplace that fosters greater well-being.

Related: Creating an Engaging Workforce Through Thoughtful Office Space

Invest in design

If you’ve ever stared blankly at a sea of cubicles or a floor layout full of disorganized desks, then you clearly understand the way a space can affect us psychologically. We shudder at the chaos and feel our mood instantly drop.

This is not the kind of mindset that leads to successful outcomes. That’s why, at my company, Jotform, design takes priority. We have plenty of natural light when you first walk in and keep furniture as uncluttered as possible to create a sense of harmony.

Since founding my business in 2006, I’ve dabbled in different office designs. And I believe that investing in the right atmosphere inspires our teams to explore their creativity and come up with more innovative solutions. A concept I discuss at length in my book is how this kind of creative thinking not only boosts our levels of happiness, but it also improves our mental health over time.

Providing a mix of multiple workspaces — including open space — helps eliminate a sense of monotony. You can also add modern amenities like a cozy lounge and a quiet room.

Related: Is Your Work Environment Allowing You to Thrive?

Incorporate natural elements

There’s a reason why some of the greatest minds in history did their boldest thinking while outdoors. Studies have shown that natural environments or environments with natural elements enhance our creative performance. Researchers find that “Dealing with the daily work process and preparing and understanding new work problems could consume our directed attention, leading to attention fatigue.”

By incorporating plants in your workplace, however, you can help minimize these effects. “A restorative environment provides a sense of escape from the usual, recovery from attention fatigue, and the potential to generate ideas through mind-wandering.”

Making room for beautiful succulents in the workplace offers a respite from the daily grind. Aside from creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere, plants also help to improve the air quality within a space.

Related: Albert Einstein’s Messy Desk Highlights The Surprising Link Between Clutter And Intelligence

Cultivate a sense of home

Since we spend a good portion of our time at work, it’s important to build a warm and inviting space where people can feel like themselves.

When team members close their eyes and visualize coming into the office the next day, I don’t want them to picture a sterile and drab work environment. Offering an atmosphere that nurtures their creativity is one of the most valuable investments I can make, and it will yield some of the greatest rewards for days to come.

Related: 7 Ways To Create A Healthy and Balanced Work Environment

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Aytekin Tank

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August 7, 2023
5 Keys to Managing a Reshuffled Hybrid Team After Layoffs | Entrepreneur

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As a manager, leading a reshuffled hybrid team after layoffs can be a challenging task. The team dynamic has changed, and employees may be feeling uncertain, anxious or even resentful about the changes. This can affect their motivation and productivity, which can lead to decreased morale, lower job satisfaction and eventually, high turnover. It can be even more difficult when the layoffs happened in a less-than-empathetic manner, such as many prominent tech companies — Google, Twitter, Amazon, Meta, and others — recently laying off their employees by email.

But with the right approach, managers can navigate this difficult situation and keep their teams motivated and productive. As an expert in hybrid workforce strategy, I helped team managers navigate through this stressful period, so as to minimize the natural decline of productivity, morale, and engagement that accompanies any layoff and team reshuffling.

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Gleb Tsipursky

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February 28, 2023
Entrepreneur | 6 Reasons You Can’t Get Anything Done at Work

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To keep up with the demands of running a successful business, entrepreneurs often spend countless hours interacting with customers, fulfilling orders, managing their teams and juggling a wide variety of administrative and business tasks. We all have the same number of hours in the day. Although entrepreneurs might appear superhuman on the surface, accomplishing all of this while maintaining a reasonable work-life balance requires intense levels of focus to pull off.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of distractions and environmental factors that can shake your ability to focus during the day. If you find yourself putting in tons of hours but accomplishing very little, the following six reasons could be why.

1. Fear is disrupting your focus

Being an entrepreneur can be overwhelming and straight-up intimidating. As an entrepreneur, you might be facing an angry client, a supplier issue or an impending economic disaster. Ultimately, this can have devastating impacts on your ability to focus. People are naturally inclined to avoid tasks and experiences that are inherently dangerous or unpleasant. This leads our brains to sidetrack our focus to less scary activities such as checking email, reading the news or scrolling through social media.

On the surface, this is counterintuitive. The obvious course of action is to remedy or avoid these challenges (which should in turn reduce our anxiety and fear). The reality is that’s not how we are hardwired, making it easy for our minds to wander and shift our focus to other tasks.

As an entrepreneur, you might even find yourself working on tasks that appear productive but provide less value to the business. For example, you might spend your day connecting with existing customers who you feel comfortable with. On the surface, this seems like a great use of your focus and time. But you might have subconsciously chosen this safe activity instead of the riskier and more uncomfortable task of cold-calling potential new clients.

Start by making a list of your worst fears and concerns within the business. Once you have your list, start crossing out the ones that are beyond your control. For the ones that are within your control, create a list of action items to help prepare you and the business to address these challenges. This should make your fears more manageable.

Related: Taking These Actions Will Stop Distraction

2. Your business lacks strategy

We chose to be entrepreneurs because it gives us the freedom and flexibility to build our business and brand the way we want. It’s easy for entrepreneurs to fall down the rabbit hole of endless possibilities for product designs, marketing campaigns, and target markets. The “what if” mindset is what makes entrepreneurs great. However, it’s easy to lose focus on your business without a clear strategy and goals in place.

If you’re finding it hard to remain focused on your business day after day, you may need to revisit your strategy. If your new ideas don’t align with your strategy, you may want to carefully consider whether you should pursue them or not.

Related: Death By a Million Cuts: The Small Stuff is More Disruptive Than You Think

3. You’re not getting enough rest

Entrepreneurs are notorious for working long, grueling hours. In addition to these physical work times, entrepreneurs spend countless hours outside of work stressing and thinking about the business. This can have significant impacts on the amount and quality of sleep you get.

Lack of sleep can disrupt focus, attention and concentration. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that the average adult get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night. Adjusting your sleep pattern could give you the boost you need to remain focused during the day.

Other healthy habits in addition to sleep can also improve focus such as eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and exercising.

4. You’re working in the wrong environment

Trouble focusing can also be a result of your work environment. Do you stop and read news articles when they pop up in your browser? Does your attention get averted by the people around you when working in a busy cafe? Do you find yourself visiting the pantry for a snack multiple times a day when working from home?

Eliminating external distractions and adjusting your work environment might be what you need to improve your focus. Try keeping a journal during the week of your activities and what triggered you to engage in those activities. Simple adjustments like turning off digital notifications or moving to a quieter workspace may support a more focused and productive workday.

Related: Is Your Work Environment Allowing You to Thrive?

5. Wearing too many hats

Entrepreneurs often have a million responsibilities and wear multiple hats. In many cases, they spend their day putting out fires and handling administrative tasks. These low-value tasks can break your focus on what’s truly important for the business.

If you find yourself working on a lot of tasks, but never actually accomplishing anything, you could be suffering from doing too much. One study found that less than 2.5% of people can successfully multitask. Instead, delegating low-value tasks to others and focusing on just one high-value business activity at a time can increase your effectiveness as an entrepreneur. You can even look to technology to automate some of your work activities to free up time.

6. You hate what you are working on

In the beginning, starting a new business and being an entrepreneur is exciting and challenging. At some point, your excitement and drive may dwindle as you get into a groove. Your focus might suffer from simply not enjoying your day-to-day responsibilities. In the workforce, people can simply find a new job when they no longer enjoy what they are doing. For entrepreneurs, this isn’t always an option. You can’t simply walk away from the business that you have spent so much blood, sweat and tears to build.

Instead, think about what activities you enjoy and don’t enjoy. Perhaps, there are some unpleasant tasks that you can avoid or outsource. For example, if you hate the bookkeeping part of the business, you might consider hiring a professional bookkeeper to take this off your plate. That may free up your time to work on more enjoyable projects.

It’s important for entrepreneurs to always function at their very best. By reclaiming your ability to be laser-focused on your business, you will have the ability to accomplish things that you never thought possible.

Related: This Is How Employers Can Encourage Workplace Productivity

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Nicholas Leighton

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February 15, 2023