Our commitment to reducing our environmental impact begins with sourcing the wood for our products from sustainable forests in the UK, Russia, and Sweden.

In the last few years, we’ve made a conscious effort to implement designated recycling management for cardboard, plastic and timber, as well as switching to LED lighting, where possible.

Other initiatives include chipping any waste wood we produce and using it as fuel for our biomass boiler or repurposing it as animal bedding.

Since installing our biomass boiler in 2017, we have seen significant reductions in our energy bills and carbon dioxide emissions.

Now, we are taking on the challenge of further cutting down our waste over the next 12 months. On this, founder of Kybotech, Charles Walton, said: “Maintaining our high environmental standards is very important to the team at Kybotech.

“We have a duty to do what we can to reduce our emissions and increase the volume of waste materials we recycle.

“I set up the business 20 years ago, and over those two decades have seen environmental concerns become more important to our customers and society as a whole.

“We work with one of the most recyclable raw materials in the world, but still have to take into account whether it’s been treated before we dispose of it.

“Over the next 12 months, I’m confident we’ll reduce our waste further and continue to look for innovative solutions to reuse and recycle, where possible.”

More about Kybotech:
Currently, Kybotech has over 220 employees worldwide, producing high-quality outdoor sheds, log cabins, playhouses, greenhouses and garden buildings. They ship these products across the UK with over 800 buildings in the range at present.

The post Kybotech Cares – Our Goal Of Waste-free Production first appeared on Kybotech Ltd.

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Think of a business without an effective leader a lot like a car without a driver.
The car itself is what propels you forward, but without someone steering the vehicle and pressing the gas pedal, you’re not going to get anywhere.

In essence, the backbone of any successful company is strong, effective leadership. But did you know that there are as many styles of leadership as there are types of business?

Here are seven of the most common types of leadership to help you discover which best suits your needs.

Hands-Off Leadership

We’ll begin our list of leadership types by analyzing one of the more peculiar styles of management, hands-off management.

When a manager takes a hands-off approach to running a company, he or she lets the team run the business for the most part.

They’re still present for meetings and may be willing to lend a helping hand from time to time, but largely they’re only present to guide the team.

These types of leaders believe that employees do their best work when they’re not constantly under the supervision of an authority figure and that a team leader should only get involved when they absolutely need to.

Personality-Driven Leadership

Have you ever had a boss that just “got” the employees?

Maybe they don’t see themselves as someone above the team but as another member of the team.

If that sounds familiar, you’re likely familiar with personality-driven leaders.

These leaders choose to focus on the individual as much as the team. They want to get to know their employees as people and understand what motivates them as well as how they can help them grow.

Often, those who lead based on personality are more conscientious than other types of leaders. They believe that by forming connections and helping individuals grow, they can ultimately strengthen the whole team.

Transformational Leadership

Like personality-driven leaders, transformational leaders are concerned with growing a team in its entirety.

These leaders have a unique vision for a company and concern themselves with changing the brand to fit their ideal. That may sound harsh, but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Steve Jobs was one of the most well-known transformational leaders. He could picture Apple as an industry leader and knew that with the help of his team, he could transform the industry as a whole.

These types of leaders are disruptive in the best way possible. They’re not satisfied with the status quo. They have big ideas and want to see those ideas executed properly.

Democratic Leadership

A leader who approaches management from a democratic perspective is quite like the captain of a ship. They’re ultimately there to steer the ship, and they do have the final say, but they’re more than happy to hear their workers out.

True democratic leadership isn’t particularly common, yet elements may be found in many of the world’s leading companies.

Twitter, for instance, took a very collaborative approach from the beginning.
Biz Stone, along with co-founders Noah Glass, Jack Dorsey, and Evan Williams believed that management holding too much power could be dangerous.

Furthermore, they believed that employees and users should have a say in where the company goes.

Democratic leaders are tuned into what everyone has to say, from customer to employee.

Transactional Leadership

One of the oldest forms of management out there, transactional leaders understand that people respond well to incentives. Furthermore, they may also understand that people respond to pressure.

Thus, they incorporate a mixture of positive and negative reinforcement.

When a manager takes a transactional approach, he or she begins with an end result in mind. For instance, perhaps they’re looking to increase brand awareness or boost office productivity.

With a goal in place, they’ll meet with the team to discuss what they hope will be the end result.

Finally, these types of leaders will entice their workers with the promise of some sort of positive benefit. Often, these come in the form of financial gifts such as bonuses or paid time off.

Autocratic Leadership

True autocratic leadership isn’t a great idea, as it tends to be quite fear-driven.

The autocratic management style is concerned with one thing and one thing only: Authority. The manager is the boss and what he or she says is the bottom line.

An autocratic manager will often physically separate his or herself from the team and work in a separate area entirely to further the idea that they and the team are two different entities.

Many up and coming managers wrongly believe that autocratic management is a great leadership style, as it commands respect.

In reality, it does little to inspire productivity and isn’t much more than a way to ensure your team doesn’t respect you.

Functional Leadership

Finally, functional leadership is perhaps the best leadership style for those who thrive on seeing results in real-time.

These types of leaders are often just as concerned about methodology as they are the solution. A functional leader wants to break a strategy down into its smallest possible element to generate better results.

They may also take a less hands-on approach to their team, choosing instead to focus on results instead of work habits.

In short, these types of leaders are calm, cool, and collected. Data drives everything they do and they love to see a plan come together.

Which of These Seven Types of Leadership Works Best For You?

Now that you’re more familiar with these seven types of leadership, consider which management style suits you best. More importantly, consider which management style works best for your team.

One quick, final note: There’s no reason why you can’t incorporate elements of different leadership styles to create your own.

Often, the best types of leaders are those who take the best bits and pieces from each style to create what works for them.

I’d love to talk with you about your business, whether you’re looking for advice, an investment, or you just have a question, so get in touch!

The post 7 Types of Leadership: Which One Best Fits Your Approach to Management? first appeared on Kybotech Ltd.

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Are you trying to create a successful business?

The world is full of great entrepreneurs, and while you may be surprised to believe it, many of them have a lot in common. They’ve all learned some principles and good habits that helped them to consistently find success.

Below we’ll look at the 10 good habits you need to adopt if you want to be a successful entrepreneur.

1. Leading a Healthy Lifestyle

One thing that all of the best entrepreneurs have in common is that they don’t neglect their physical and mental wellbeing. They’ve learned how to take care of themselves when working on a new idea or business.

Successful entrepreneurs make sure to eat a healthy diet and to exercise regularly. A large majority of them also make sure to get enough high-quality sleep each night while also getting up early in the morning.

By keeping your body and mind healthy you’ll have the energy you need to face entrepreneurial challenges head-on.

2. Long-Term and Short-Term Goal Setting

The best entrepreneurs are also experts at setting goals and do so regularly, both for the short-term and the long-term. Long-term goals are, of course, important. However, great entrepreneurs understand that you need plenty of short-term, weekly, and daily goals as well.

If you want to have the best chance of achieving your aspirations and having success with your business ventures, you’ll want to create long-term goals. Then, you’ll want to break them down into smaller chunks and determine what you need to do on a daily basis for your business growth plan.

3. Time Management

Great entrepreneurs have learned the art of time management and can juggle many different things in their lives with ease. This is true when it comes to the many business tasks that need to be done, but it also applies to balancing a business with a personal life or family responsibilities.

It’s important to learn how to use your time wisely and find out what works best for you to stay productive and get things done, even when you have a lot on your plate. This may include adopting a system such as the Pomodoro Technique or coming up with your own way of meeting your goals consistently.

4. Being Persistent

The best entrepreneurs are also really persistent and know how to keep going when the going gets tough. Although entrepreneurs follow a plan and have plenty of goals that they want to achieve, they also make sure to bounce back when things don’t go as they initially imagined.

Things don’t always go according to plan. When something isn’t working out, sometimes it’s important that you keep pushing forward. Other times you need to persistently look for another solution to your problem.

5. Staying Organized

Staying organized is also very important to become successful as an entrepreneur.

Artistic and creative types are sometimes known as being very messy. As a general rule, successful entrepreneurs can’t quite afford the same luxury. When it comes to building a successful business, planning well and staying organized are crucial.

An organized workspace or office also shouldn’t be underestimated. A cluttered work environment or desk can be a problem and can weigh heavy on the mind. It can lead to difficulty working, keeping your ideas straight, and completing tasks successfully.

6. Adding Value to Others

Although there are definite exceptions to this rule, the best and most successful entrepreneurs also make a habit out of helping others. They make it a goal to create value in their lives of others and to help the community around them.

When you set your mind to helping others it can be a great help in finding out where the market has a need and coming up with new ideas for products and services.

While achieving financial success is a big goal of any entrepreneur, however, providing value to others can be very rewarding. Finding new ways to provide value to others can also serve as great motivation for a business idea or plan.

7. Taking Action

While it’s important to stay organized and the best entrepreneurs learn how to set great goals, they also aren’t shy about taking action.

It can be easy for prospective entrepreneurs to get stuck in planning mode. However, if you want to find the entrepreneurial success you crave, you need to get out of the planning stage. Start trying new things whether that includes launching a new business idea or implementing a new marketing strategy.

Not every action you take as an entrepreneur will succeed. However, a little bit of persistence and a lot of action taking can work wonders in the long run.

8. Taking Breaks

While it’s important to consistently take action, successful entrepreneurs also know when it’s time to take a break. Entrepreneurs are often workaholics and while it can be great to be productive, eventually everyone needs some time to unwind.

Successful entrepreneurs make a habit of curbing their overly productive nature. They build breaks into their daily and weekly activities as necessary. They also take the time to be with their family and don’t let their personal life fall by the wayside.

Taking enough breaks allows entrepreneurs to get the rest they need so that they can be even more focused and productive when they are on the clock.

9. Learning Constantly

One of the most important good habits that you’ll want to start if you want to be a successful entrepreneur is to always be learning.

Whether it’s simply learning about the world around you through documentaries, learning a new language, or reading up on marketing and business skills, each type of learning can influence your abilities as an entrepreneur and help you feel more confident in what you do.

The best entrepreneurs have expertise in many areas and never stop filling their minds with new information. Some of these things may influence their businesses directly. However, others will indirectly lead them to new business opportunities or help them run their current businesses more successfully.

10. Creating Strong Relationships

The best entrepreneurs are always networking and creating strong relationships with others. They understand that they can’t do everything alone and need people around them to help them succeed.

Successful entrepreneurs learn from other entrepreneurs, particularly ones who are more successful than them. They also build relationships with those people whenever possible.

They’ll also get to know all other types of people as well. The relationships they develop are often varied and may include employees, people in the media, and anyone else that they come across in their lives.

A Few Good Habits Can Go a Long Way

While there is a lot that goes into creating a successful business, by developing the good habits listed above you’ll be on your way to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Developing the right habits can go a lot further than you may believe, and can help give you the discipline you need to achieve your many goals.

Looking for investment ideas or have another inquiry? Contact me today to learn more about what I can do for you.

The post 10 Good Habits You Need to be a Successful Entrepreneur first appeared on Kybotech Ltd.

The post 10 Good Habits You Need to be a Successful Entrepreneur appeared first on Kybotech Ltd.

Cubicles are being replaced by team tables and vending machines being replaced by beer taps.

While traditionalists may disapprove, these changes have proven to enhance productivity.

Many traditional work hours are being replaced by a more personal schedule. Employees now realize their employee’s job satisfaction is directly connected to productivity.

This is proven by research stating that employees who are happy in their jobs are more motivated in their work.

Are you looking for ways to enhance your workplace productivity?

Keep reading to discover overlooked flaws likely hurting your workplace productivity.

1. Poor Workplace Design

Do you feel that your workplace is built for success?

A recent study found 85 percent of surveyed employees agree the design of their workplace is important. Of this 85 percent, only 57 percent feel their current workplace encourages productivity.

The number one complaint of those reportedly unsatisfied?

A workplace environment that promotes independence and does not encourage team-bonding or socialization.

The aim is to create a workspace with team areas inspiring face-to-face interaction and collaboration. This encourages employees to take breaks and build essential workplace relationships.

The end result?

Happy employees with high production rates.

2. Cold Temperatures

Is your office is freezing in the winter and sweltering in the summer? If so, it’s likely these off-putting temperates are affecting productivity.

An experiment conducted at Cornell University tested the relationship between temperate and productivity. The research discovered that low temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius cause employees to make 44 percent more mistakes. In addition, employees were half as productive compared to when the temperate was 25 degrees.

With the colder temperatures, employees were forced to allocate their energy to keep warm. This reserved less energy for focus, creativity, and concentration.

3. Implementation of Traditional Working Hours

Do you find that your brain works better late into the night?

Research states that some people are biologically not morning people. This means they are unable to be productive until later in the day.

Employers now understand that not all humans are built the same. Companies are ditching the 9-17:00 working hours and encouraging a more personal schedule.

For those not productive in the morning, traditional 9-17:00 hours would rid them of their ability to work throughout the night.

This is all the more reason to allow employees to create a work schedule that best suits their productivity.

So long as work is being completed on time, a traditional 9-17:00 is not always necessary.

4. Lack of Socialization

Could your office benefit from a little more socialization?

Research has found workplace chatter is proven to increase productivity. This theory is based on the hypothesis that humans are naturally social animals.

When direct socialization is absent, employees turn to alternate forms of socialization. These are non-verbal social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

These methods of “socialization” have proven more distracting and less beneficial than traditional conversation. They are also more likely to make employees feel tired and unmotivated.

Research indicates that employees connect a sense of belonging to their productivity. Encouraging employees to socialize and form relationships is essential to creating an environment that fosters productivity.

After all, we are all familiar with the mantra “work hard, play hard”.

This can be established by creating co-working spaces and having established areas for socialization.

5. An absence of Natural Light

Most of us know what it’s like to work in a cubicle. It’s dark, removed from the outside world and simply depressing.

Let’s consider that scientifically all living things need light in order to function properly.

A study connecting natural light and productivity found a positive correlation between the two.

The research found that employees who were connected to natural sunlight saw a 15 percent increase is well-being. This was also followed by a six percent increase in overall productivity.

The research also indicates that adequate natural light prevents employees from becoming lethargic and uninspired.

Looking to increase the natural light in your work environment?

Try replacing traditional walls or dividers with glass walls or glass doors and watch that natural sunlight pour in.

6. Inadequate Working Options

If you found one simple way to increase your productivity by 50 percent, you’d probably want to try it. Right?

What if we told you this was as simple as refusing to remain seated throughout the day?

The truth is, long periods of sitting are linked to increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and spine issues.

Not only is sitting throughout the workday bad for your health, it also hampers workplace productivity. Research states that when employees are bound to a chair all day, their work suffers.

A study found that employees who used “sit-stand” desks were 46 percent more productive than those using traditional desks.

The goal is to eliminate the notion that employees must remain seated to complete the day’s work.

Try providing alternate options such as “sit-stand” desks to encourage productivity.

7. Lack of Audio Stimulation

Have you ever felt listening to music helps to increase your productivity? Well, it turns out there’s some truth to that.

A recent study examined the relationship between music and workplace productivity.

The research found that upbeat music allowed employees to be more productive, and display higher levels of motivation.

Music also elevates job satisfaction and contributes to a more fun workplace environment. Employees reported higher levels of happiness and interaction when music was being played.

Music can also help to block out distractions that may be present in a silent work environment. After all, we all know that coworker with the nervous leg tap.

Are You Ready to Enhance Your Workplace Productivity?

Are you ready to maximize production and grow your company?

The best companies understand that a healthy work environment is essential to productivity.

The age-old mantra “healthy environment creates happy employees” clearly has some truth to it.

If you’re ready to grow your business, you’re going to want to make these changes.

The result?

A significantly more happy, healthy and productive workplace for all.

Contact me for further advice and general inquiries!

The post Overlooked Things That Play Big Roles in Workplace Productivity first appeared on Kybotech Ltd.

The post Overlooked Things That Play Big Roles in Workplace Productivity appeared first on Kybotech Ltd.

Making small changes to the habits of your employees will drastically improve their ability to get things done efficiently. This will let your business get more high-quality work done in a shorter amount of time.

It will also allow you to reduce the amount of time your employees spend on unnecessary tasks. This will make your business a better place to work.

So what can you do to start the process and improve workplace productivity today? Keep reading to find out.

Increase Efficiency

Before you make any changes, first consider how your business is operating right now. Start to organize the changes you want to make. Determine what your long-term goals are, and what steps you can take today to improve workplace productivity.

Perhaps there is a better way for your staff members to structure their day. This is one thing you can suggest to help your team accomplish their goals.

As a business owner, you should provide everyone on your staff with a plan so that they know what they need to do to stay on task. Make sure you encourage your employees and put systems in place to reward them for their efforts.

Delegate Tasks

To be a successful business owner, you have to be willing to delegate tasks. It can be hard to adjust to delegation if you’re used to doing everything yourself. It can feel like you are taking an unnecessary risk.

But in the long run, delegation is incredibly beneficial. It helps to improve morale and give job satisfaction to your staff. By being entrusted with a responsibility, they will feel a sense of achievement that will make their job feel like a career.

Reduce Distractions

It can be tempting to ban phones from the workplace when you see a lot of your employees with them out all the time. But it isn’t practical these days for a business to maintain a no-phone policy.

Rather than putting a rule in place, you should focus on creating an engaging workplace. If your employees feel like they need to focus on their work and are passionate about what they are doing, they will be less likely to be distracted.

Try putting a policy in place where you schedule regular intervals for your employees to check their phones. That way they will be less distracted and you will improve workplace productivity.

Provide the Right Tools and Environment

In order for your employees to finish their work on time and in a productive manner, they need the right tools and equipment. There is nothing more frustrating than wasting time waiting for something to print because the printer is always broken.

You should replace all broken equipment in your workplace in order to make it the most efficient possible. By spending money now, you will end up saving money in the form of time in the long run.

It may be helpful for some businesses to transition to entirely different equipment if they want to improve workplace productivity. There are many high-quality programs and equipment that exist today that can make a massive difference.

Not only will replacing old equipment make your employees lives easier, it can also help your company be perceived as an innovator. Be the one to lead the way, and rake in the profits that follow.

Improve Conditions in the Workplace

For most people, a comfortable room temperature is between 68 and 70 degrees. If you try to maintain this temperature, then your employees will have a much easier time concentrating. Something as simple as investing in a fan can be the best thing to improve workplace productivity.

Other things that can make a workplace uncomfortable are drama and bad furniture. Any time your employee spends thinking about something else is time wasted while at work. Make sure they have a comfy chair and that you maintain a positive office environment.

Offer Support with Realistic Goals

One issue many managers suffer from is not having a benchmark to measure their employees by. This can lead to miscommunication and lower achievement overall.

To improve workplace productivity, you should make it clear what your expectations are and set focused and clear goals for your employees. Then give them an incentive to stay on track.

Keep Meetings Short

For some businesses, work matters need to be discussed in drawn-out meetings. They can promote creativity and give the team time to assemble new perspectives. But for most businesses, the sooner you can wrap up your agenda, the better.

Your employees want to know what they need to do and get to work. Just make sure you have an open door policy with your employees if they have any questions.

Get People Moving

Low-level physical activity has been proven to have an impact on workplace productivity. In fact, with just ten minutes of movement, mental focus is improved.

If you want to implement more movement in your workplace without making a drastic change, you can try providing your employees with the opportunity to have a standing desk.

Studies have shown that alternating between a sitting and a standing position can boost your energy levels during the day. In addition, by moving more you will increase your oxygen intake. This, in turn, helps to boost the function of your brain and improve workplace productivity.

Use Positive Reinforcement

To improve workplace productivity, you need to encourage and motivate your employees with rewards. Some ideas include offering a vacation or pizza party for performing beyond the demands of their role.

When you reward an employee, you should make it a workplace event to motivate others to achieve similarly. You need to clearly indicate to your staff what that employee did to be successful so that they will make changes to earn rewards of their own.

More Ways to Improve Workplace Productivity

Those aren’t the only ways to improve workplace productivity, but they are a great place to start. By building a business with a firm foundation of well-trained employees, you will find your company becomes more productive than ever.

For more tips on growing your business or to discuss an investment contact me today.

The post How to Improve Workplace Productivity first appeared on Kybotech Ltd.

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