As elsewhere in the wide business world, many people have been working flexi-time and/or working from home for quite some time now, even before the COVID-19 lockdown days. Previously, these practices were adopted because so much precious time was being wasted in highly frustrating peak hour traffic conditions between business centres and residential areas.
Everyone would head off to the office at more or less the same time to comply with stipulated working hours, and they’d also encounter the same exhaustive traffic patterns and time wasting upon returning home. The rise of mobile technology, however, enabled suitably equipped people to communicate and work remotely, virtually from wherever they chose to do so.
Even so, most companies only permitted certain trusted, usually senior employees to work from home. Many South African businesses were somewhat hesitant to allow the bulk of their workforce to do likewise, preferring to have employees present at the business’ offices.
Then coronavirus hit the world, suddenly and savagely, and everything changed for everyone in this country. Stringent lockdown regulations were introduced into almost all aspects of South African life as we once knew it. A “new normal” of living and working had to be found and applied when and wherever possible.
Virtually overnight, “work from home” became the new, life-saving norm – literally and figuratively. To work from their homes more effectively and efficiently, people began setting aside a workspace, and actively shopping for home office furniture at affordable prices. Indeed, competitively priced home office furniture is fast becoming another new norm.
While it’s certainly possible to focus on the tasks at hand from one’s dining room table or kitchen nook, it’s hardly ideal. There are too many opportunities for becoming distracted or being interrupted, losing focus, and concentration.
Additionally, a dining room, bedroom or kitchen hardly represents a professional workplace in appearance, atmosphere, and essentials. One is more likely to work efficiently in a workspace that contains typical office furniture and accessories, positioned to be practical, and mindful of optimising the available space.
It’s interesting to note that some studies reveal that on average, people who work from a home office are more productive than their company workplace counterparts, contrary to the fears and expectations of employers. In one report, dated March 2020, findings indicate:
With proper space planning and wise acquisition of modern, streamlined affordable office furniture, it’s possible to equip a home workplace without spending a fortune, providing that you buy from a reputable supplier that provides fairly priced, value for money options, focused on your needs and budget.
Quantum Office Furniture ticks these and numerous other important boxes. In the Johannesburg area, we offer free delivery and installation services of our merchandise – services which would otherwise increase the overall cost of your new office furniture.
We also supply and install our products nationally and, based on supplier options, meet the budget you’ve allocated to acquire your workplace appointments, another cost-saving measure to ensure that your home workspace’s furnishings are more affordable. If desired, customers have the option of contracting us to undertake their workspace design and layout, as well as the relocation of their offices.
Having a tastefully yet affordably furnished remote workplace also increases the value of one’s home. Whichever way you look at it, the installation of attractive yet competitively priced office furniture into a dedicated workplace is a good investment.