It’s now more important than ever for businesses to stay ahead of changing trends, ensuring their offering is meeting employees’ needs.

In order to attract and retain the best staff, small businesses need to keep up with the changing landscape, especially in the tech sector. While health and wellbeing benefits top the corporate agenda, the physical office environment has been slow to adjust.

With the likes of Google offering technology driven workplaces and Zoopla’s new offices boasting a wine cellar for its staff, businesses need to evaluate their current workspace.

Many believe this is exclusive for multi-national organisations, but small businesses can boost their offering significantly by making a number of small changes.

Improving office productivity and design can benefit a business. Good design makes a difference to employee wellbeing, so here are some top tips for businesses in the tech sector looking to update their offices.

Be brave with your design

Your workplace should reflect your company’s culture and values.

No matter the location of your office, small changes can make a big difference to staff retention and employees’ happiness.

>See also: 3 ways smart technology is impacting the office environment

For the tech and IT industry, workplaces have seen a significant shift from the back-to-back desks you used to see.

Be bold and brave with your design and listen to what your staff want.

Shared working areas with sofas, bean bags and picnic tables for example, can make the office feel like a home away from home – helping employees relax while boosting creativity and innovation.

Let the sun shine

With 68% of employees complaining about the lighting in their workplace, evaluating your current lighting can increase staff productivity and mood.

This is predominantly key in offices where the majority of work is done on computers. Dim lighting can cause headaches and eye strain, while fluorescent lighting is also cited as a trigger for migraine headaches.

Automated blinds and screens can also help businesses looking to improve the levels of comfort for their employees and regulate heat in the summer months.

Integrating a solution like this will not only create a conducive working environment but allow your employees to take control.

>See also: 4 ways connected lighting will enable smart cities

It’s worth noting that controlling light also helps limit our impact on the wider environment, cutting power consumption and reducing utility bills – a bonus for employers.

Lights, camera, action!

Integrated entertainment systems aren’t only for the rich and famous; businesses need to take note of their presentation facilities.

Impressing clients and boosting employee morale can make a big difference.

For businesses in the tech sector, showing your clients that you are innovative and ahead of the curve could be make or break where new business is concerned.

One suggestion is to install a bespoke cinema system. This doesn’t just need to be turned off at the end of the day either; allowing your staff to unwind by watching films or playing video games is a great reward, using facilities that are otherwise unavailable to them.

>See also: The role of the Internet of Things in developing smart cities

Smart technology is currently gaining popularity in homes and will soon transfer to workplaces.

As the Internet of Things reshapes office environments, the way business is done will develop and evolve.

Small businesses need to keep up with the latest trends to ensure they’re attracting and retaining world class talent. Smart automations are a logical fit in this evolving business world with connected devices boosting efficiency and productivity: a significant benefit for growing businesses.

Sourced by Alex Josling, co-founder and director of Seven Integration