4 Steps to Promoting Health and Wellness in Your Overland Park Office Space

With summer approaching, now might be a good time to get the whole office involved in an effort to be healthier.  Here are some steps you can take to promote health and wellness in your office, as suggested in the article, “Steps to Adding a Wellnesss Program“:

1.      Gather input from the office.  Try to assess what kind of health program would interest your employees.  Survey the office with questions on topics such as smoking, exercise, and hereditary health issues.  Find out what their personal health goals are so you can tailor your program to serve their needs.

2.      Consider your budget.  Once you have assessed what your employees’ needs and wants are, the next step is to see what you can reasonably afford to do.  What kind of budget do you have available for this undertaking?  Can you afford to put some workout equipment in the office for employees to use during a break?

3.      Develop a program.  Once you know what your employees want and what you can contribute, come up with a plan that includes clear objectives and activities.  Here are some suggestions for things to include:

  • Company golf outings
  • Discounts to a local gym
  • Healthy eating education and healthy recipe exchanges
  • Lunchtime Walking Club
  • A Fitness Challenge that tracks progress and offers incentives for employees who reach goals.

4.      Get started!  Put your program into action!  Keep track of successes and failures, solicit feedback from employees, and be flexible.  Your program might not be perfect the first time around, but if you are open to suggestions and changes, your employees will probably appreciate your efforts and show more interest in getting involved.

Send out some surveys and get your office on the road to health soon!

If you are interested in office suites for rent in Overland Park, give a DDI Commercial real estate broker in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100!

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When Can You Terminate a Lease for an Office Space in Kansas?

Whether you are looking to relocate or just negotiating your lease, it is important to know if terminating your lease is possible.  Here are a few possible conditions that could lead to the termination of your lease, as listed in the article, Advantages to an Early Commercial Lease Termination:

  1. Agreement between the two parties – The length of a lease can be changed at any time as long as both parties agree to the modification.
  2. Violation of the lease – one party might be able to end the lease before the term is over if the other party has majorly violated a lease agreement.
  3. Break Clause – This clause states that a lease can be broken under certain conditions, such as the payment of a fine, after a fixed date, or if there is a beneficiary involved in the situation.  If you are unsure of what your break clause includes, talk to a commercial real estate attorney
  4. Assignment Clause – This clause states that you can transfer your lease to another party before it expires, provided that the new party agrees to all of the terms and ideally with the permission of your current landlord.  However, if this clause is in the original lease, a lawyer might be able to help you get around the express permission of the landlord.

Check with a lawyer if you need more guidance on whether it is possible to terminate your lease early.

If you are interested in affordable office space in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to set up a tour of one of our office suites for rent in Overland Park.

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Understanding Office Lease Rates in Kansas City

Several different factors can influence rental rates, and it is important to have a working knowledge of how rental rates are determined.  Here are just a few of the elements that affect rental rates, as seen in the article Understanding Rental Rates:

  • The lease term
  • Size of the property
  • Views
  • Storage
  • Proximity to other locations
  • The current market/economy

Market conditions particularly affect rental rates, which tend to increase.  Once you sign your lease, the rate for your lease is fixed for the duration of that term.  Since there are so many pieces to a total rental rate and several different ways to quote rents, it can sometimes be hard to understand what people are talking about when discussing leasing rates.

Usually the quoted rate is based on the rent per square foot.  These prices are typically on a monthly basis, but in some locations (i.e. San Francisco) they are quoted on an annual basis.  The math is simple, but it can be a bit confusing to see one rate quoted as $36.00 per square foot (annual rate) versus $3.00 per square foot (monthly rate).  Urban office lease rates are often calculated on an annual basis, while industrial and retail spaces are typically advertised as monthly rates.  It is important to be aware of these differences as you compare rental rates for different spaces.

If you are interested in learning more about office suites for rent in Overland Park, give a commercial real estate broker in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100!

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Tips for Considerate Communication in Your Office Space in Overland Park, KS

In this age of technology and quick communication, it is important to master the art of communicating efficiently and courteously.  Here are a few tips for practicing communication etiquette:

  • Voice Mail – Make sure your voicemail message is personalized.  People may be confused and not leave messages if you have a standard voicemail greeting that gives only your phone number.
  • Quick Responses – Make sure you return all phone calls and emails within 24 hours, even if your response is simply a note saying you will get back to the person soon.
  • Speakerphone – Always ask someone before you put them on speakerphone.
  • Proofread Emails – All work emails should be free of spelling and grammatical errors.
  • Include the Subject – Make sure you always fill in the subject box of an email with a relevant and concise title to ensure easy access to the conversation if you need to find it later.
  • Be Kind – Emails present the temptation to say things we would not normally say out loud, but make sure you never write anything you would not say to a person’s face.
  • Be Aware of Formatting – Doing things like underlining, bolding, italicizing, or making a font bigger can make an email seem more aggressive than you perhaps intended.

Practice good communication skills in your workplace, especially via technology, until they become a habit!

If you are interested in learning more about office suites for rent in Overland Park, give a commercial real estate broker in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100!

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4 Tips for Reducing Daily Stress at Work in Your Office Space in Kansas

Often the simplest solution to relieving stress is looking at how you are caring for your own body.  Here are a few suggestions for relieving stress at work by taking care of yourself.

  1. Eat Healthy.  Overeating can drain your energy, while low blood sugar can make you moody.  A good way to maintain consistent healthy eating and stabilize your mood and energy is to eat smaller meals frequently throughout the day.
  2. Avoid Alcohol and Smoking.  You’ve heard it before—both of these things may be temporary stress relievers, but the effects can wear off in the long run and overuse can potentially cause dependence issues.
  3. Sleep.  It is a vicious cycle: lack of sleep can cause more stress, and additional stress can trigger insomnia.  Staying well rested keeps you emotionally balanced and more prepared to take on the day.  Ideally try to aim for 8 hours a night.
  4. Exercise.  Not only is it healthy, but it is a major stress reliever.  Doing cardio exercise (increasing your heart rate), can help relax you, improve your mood, and give you more energy for focusing and being productive at work.  The best scenario would be getting 30 minutes of cardio exercise most days, but this can even be broken into smaller workouts depending on your schedule.

None of these tips are revolutionary, but being more cognizant of these area of your life can have a major impact on stress reduction at work!

If your business is considering relocating to an office building in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to set up a tour of one of our office suites for rent in Overland Park!

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Three Ways to Decorate Your Kansas City Office Space

Since you spend so much time during the week in your office or cubicle, why not personalize it?  Before you get started, think about the culture of your company.  If you work for a more conservative business, you do not want to go overboard on decorations, but if your company is more creative and modern, you might have more freedom to jazz up your space.  Here are some tips for making your office or cubicle your own:

  1. Brighten up the walls.  If you have plain grey walls, consider covering them with craft paper, colorful fabric, wallpaper, or even Astroturf!  You can attach these coverings using Velcro tape.
  2. Add some green.  A living plant will improve both your mood and the air quality of your office, since plants give off oxygen and soak up pollutants.  Bamboo or some small ivy plant are good low-maintenance plants for an office.  You might also consider bringing in fresh flowers every so often.  If plants aren’t really your thing, you could even put a goldfish in a bowl (but remember to feed it!).
  3. Make a fake window.  Have a photo that inspires you or a piece of art framed with lightweight window molding and hang it in your office for your own personal picture window!

These are just a few ideas to make your personal workspace more enjoyable for you!

If your business is interested in finding office space in Overland Park, KS, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out about our available office suites for rent in Overland Park!

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Chase Suite Hotel Deals for Southcreek Office Park Tenants

Here are a few more deals to check out this upcoming holiday season at the Chase Suite Hotel:

Light My Fire Package: $129 per night for Studio Queen Suite
Enjoy a night by the fire with someone special.  The package includes a one night stay for two, rose petals, a fire log, and massage oil.  The rate is subject to availability and valid from November 1st 2013 – February 28th 2014.  Promotion Code: LIGHT

New Year’s Eve Package: $149 per night for Studio Queen Suite
Celebrate the New Year in style at the Chase!  This package includes a one night stay for two, party favors, fire log, champagne, and chocolate strawberries.  The package is only available on 12/31/13.  Promotion Code: NYE14.

The Chase Suite Hotel is located at 6300 W. 110th St. Overland Park, KS 66211.

To make your reservation, call 913-491-3333 or visit Chase Suite Hotel in Overland Park’s website.  All of the packages include a full-sized kitchen, a hot breakfast, access to a fitness center, Wi-Fi, and parking!

The Johnson County area gives you and your employees access to resources like hotels, banks, restaurants and more – often with great deals like these for Southcreek tenants!  If you are interested in learning more about business space for rent in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out about what our available office suites for rent in Overland Park have to offer!

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5 Overland Park Office Space Makeover Tips

Anybody who walks into an office space immediately gets an impression.  Some spaces are welcoming and comfortable, while others are musty or cold and stark, demanding a makeover.  Regardless of what kind of office space you have, be it open-plan or a floor full of cubicles, here are a few office decorating principles that can help you create an atmosphere that will be inviting to both employees and clients:

  1. Walls.  Sometimes simply a fresh coat of paint can reenergize an office.  Chose colors that fit with your industry.  If you do not know what colors to choose, light greys or warm beiges are always cozy yet professional.  Consider adding wall decals with sharp, crisp patterns.  There are hundreds of decal patterns available, or you can custom design some.  If your office has cubicles, try ones with glass panels for a more modern look—you can even have your business’s logo etched into the glass.
  2. Lighting.  Neither employees nor clients find traditional fluorescent lights particularly attractive or comforting.  Think about replacing those harsh white lights with warmer shades of LED or energy-efficient fluorescent lighting.  Save even more energy by opening window shades and blinds during the day to allow for natural lighting.  You might also consider using desk and floor lamps instead of overhead lighting for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Check back for more tips on how to improve the atmosphere of your office space with a few simple makeover tips!

If you are interested in office suites for rent in Overland Park, give a commercial real estate broker in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100!

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9 Ways to Save on Energy Expenses in Your Office Rental Space in Kansas City: Getting Employees Involved

Saving energy around the office is a great way to save money for your business and demonstrate to customers and clients your sense of environmental responsibility.  Once you have decided to go green at work, be sure to incorporate the whole office in the effort:

Tip #8: Start a Committee

Jump-start your energy-saving campaign with a meeting of a committee to discuss priorities, strategies, and reasonable goals.  Incorporating employees into the green process will prevent policies from coming off as sudden, arbitrary, or pointless.  Get people invested by putting together an interested committee to keep the office accountable for their goals, and listen to input from employees who have ideas about going green.  You might also consider getting a professional energy audit for some concrete ideas on where to start saving energy.

Tip #9: Make it a Habit

Once you have implemented your green office plan, make sure it becomes a habit.  The best way to hold people accountable is by showing results.  Keep track of energy costs and meter readings and let the office know about setbacks and advances.  Consider celebrations for reaching landmarks, as well as recognizing and rewarding excellent energy saving ideas.  Don’t forget to let your customers or clients know about your efforts to go green…you might find yourself surprised by their support!

Get started on saving money and energy at your office!

If your business is looking for commercial space for lease in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to set up a tour of one of our office suites for rent in Overland Park!

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9 Ways to Save On Energy Expenses in Your Office Rental Space in Kansas City: Vents

Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency found that about 30% of the energy used by office buildings is used inefficiently?  Think of the money your business could save by reducing that number!  Here is some information on how to make sure your vents aren’t costing you unnecessary energy:

Tip #3: Check on Your Vents

•    Sometimes energy loss is a result of inefficient heating or cooling systems.  Investigate this in your building with easy questions: how is the circulation?  Are air ducts clean?  Do any clogged filters need to be replaced?  Regularly check the striping around office doors and windows for leaks and gaps—fixing leaks can cut up to 10% from your energy bill!
•    If you want to make bigger improvements, look to your HVAC system.  Sometimes water in the condenser tubes can leave a slimy buildup, reducing the air conditioner’s efficiency.  Occasionally treating this with chemical or ozone cleaning can keep your air conditioner running at top efficiency.  Or, instead of paying for continued maintenance, think of replacing outdated units with more energy efficient ones, which could reduce cooling costs by up to 50%.
•    If possible, paint an office building roof a lighter color or plant a rooftop garden to deflect the sun’s heat on warm days and increase your energy savings.

Look into your heating and cooling systems to make sure you are using them as efficiently as possible!

If you want to tour some office suites for rent in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to set up a tour of an office building in Overland Park!

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