If you've been following us, you'll know by now that plants boost productivity in an office space. So the question is why, and how?

Improving Productivity

Many people seek to improve their productivity for a number of different reasons. These can include:

• Increased Job Satisfaction

• Potential For Promotion

• Greater Remuneration

• Higher Confidence

• Validation Amongst Peers

Managers and business owners also try and increase productivity in their staff. Reasons could be:

• Increasing Sales

• Improving Customer Service

• Improving Efficiency within the business

• Lessening Operational Mistakes

• Boosting Staff Happiness (more on this later)

Productivity vs Busyness

'Productivity brings happiness, “busyness” brings stress'. That's what it says in This Article by Timely. When we're busy, we're just going flat out trying to keep up with the whirlwind. But when we're productive, we're concentrating on meaningful work, which increases job satisfaction, and our happiness. So, helping people improve their productivity is a great thing for companies to invest in. But how can they do it? Here are some ideas:

• Providing Learning Opportunities around Productivity and Planning

• Making sure each team member is in the best role

• Providing technology and systems to help communication

• Keeping the company goals front and centre, to keep the employees aligned to the mission

When employees feel valued, they'll grow, they'll improve, and they'll stay. This leads to us thinking better about the place we work in, and we're much more likely to be more productive.

So what's the hype about plants and productivity?

Well, it's quite simple. By creating an environment that people find attractive, productivity increases, therefore it's reasonable to suggest that plants boost productivity. If you're still not convinced, check out this 2014 study by The University of Exeter that saw productivity jump 15% when plants were introduced in an office. Marlon Nieuwenhuis, the lead researcher in the study, said "This conclusion is at odds with the present economic and political zeitgeist as well as with modern ‘lean’ management techniques, yet it nevertheless identifies a pathway to a more enjoyable, more comfortable and a more profitable form of office-based working.” So plants can literally help a company to increase revenues and profits, as more productive employees will do more and better work, and look after customers better. If you want to find the potential ROI that you could get for your company, click here to check out our calculator.

For further reading on how plants boost productivity, check out these articles:

https://labs.com/labs-edit/how-plants-can-increase-productivity-in-the-workplace/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/adigaskell/2017/02/15/a-green-office-equals-a-productive-office/ https://www.yourhana.com/en-US/insights/the-benefits-of-office-plants-an-essential-guide/ https://www.wework.com/en-GB/ideas/research-insights/expert-insights/benefits-of-indoor-plants-in-the-office https://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/aug/31/plants-offices-workers-productive-minimalist-employees  

If you're interested in what your productivity may be, take this test by the Harvard Business Review by clicking here)

The area had become a space of overgrown weeds, destroyed plants and a general eye sore for all those using the Frankley Plus Children's Centre. The company donated new plants, top soil, bark top dressing, and their time and the tools needed to create a new garden area, revitalizing the space and bringing new life to the facility.

Managing the project for Barnardo's was Alison Edmond, a specialist roles manager in the organisation's roles team.

“The work completed by the Plant Team at Frankley Plus Children’s Centre was fantastic, you were all so friendly and we loved the final result of the garden space it looks amazing.

The parents and children who use our centre will now have a lovely environment to walk into because of the work that you and your team completed on the day, a massive difference, it looks beautiful, also for staff moral when they come to work to see such a beautiful garden which smells amazing makes all the difference to the start of the working day.

As a Barnardo’s team, we are all so grateful to each and every single one of your team including yourself, who gave up valuable time to complete this project, we would like to say a massive “Thankyou” for your kind donations of the plants, wood bark chippings and the gorgeous potted plants you donated for our entrance hall.

You are all so kind and we really appreciate everything you have done for us, we would 100% recommend The Plant team if there were any future gardening projects as you are all wonderful”

- Alison Edmond
Specialist roles team manager – Barnardos 

Ian Radley, who headed up the National Grid team running this amazing project said that:

"Your work to transform the outside garden spaces went far beyond what any of us could have hoped for and had a massive impact on modernising and brightening up the gardens spaces, resulting in a much more welcoming environmental for the children and families who use the centre

It was a pleasure to have you with us for the day and we’re incredibly grateful for the time and materials you kindly donated." 

Plant Plan is a leading expert in corporate horticulture, enhancing business and commercial environments through the power of plants. We provide indoor and outdoor planting, living and moss wall installations, floral displays, replica plants, and planting rental, plus a complete design, installation, and maintenance service.

Since 1977, Plant Plan has been bringing plant life to human spaces in and out of the UK. The passion and industry expertise we have for bringing biophilic solutions to retail, hospitality, corporate environments, and offices has helped us grow as a business.