Tips to create a happier and more exciting workplace!

Melbourne Social Co's tips to create a happier and more exciting workplace!

Here at Melbourne Social Co we've put together our top tips to create a happier and more exciting workplace!


Don’t put up with a dull workplace that stifles your creativity, considering how much time we spend at work each week. A happy and exciting workplace is important to boost productivity and workplace pleasure.

Inspirational quotes and messages

Why not surround yourself with words that inspire and motivate you to do your best. The workplace can get a little dull so adding anything that stimulates employees and pushes them to be their best is a great way to improve and strengthen a workplace. Check out some of our fave inspo quotes here at Melbourne Social Co.

Desk plants and flowers

Bring some Zen to the office! Here at Melbourne Social Co we love adding some gorgeous greenery or fresh blooms to the workplace. It's good for the soul and the mind. Studies have shown that plants can boost office productivity and happiness, so why not brighten up the workplace!

Personalise your workspace

Your workplace is essentially your second home; with the amount of time spent at work it should reflect you! Add some personal touches to your workspace to make yourself more comfortable and at home.

Get an office mug that will make your day, everyday

Stop using the generic workplace provided mugs and get yourself a mug that’ll make you smile! Even something as small as having groovy mug can improve your mood at work and in turn will help to create a happier workplace.

De-clutter 

Clutter creates stress, and there is no place for unnecessary stress in the workplace. Do yourself a favour and remove the clutter and mess from your workplace to ensure you can be as efficient as possible!


Want to chat to our team about your digital strategy? Or would you like to learn more about careers at Melbourne Social Co?

Get in touch today!

Tips to create a happier and more exciting workplace!
Tips to create a happier and more exciting workplace!

Our Favourite Workday Hacks

We all have days at work where we feel like it’s never going end, where we feel super unproductive, unmotivated and frankly, distracted.  Even if you love your job, work can be draining, but to avoid feeling down on your workday we’d like to offer you some of our wonderful workday hacks!

Organise your morning

Let’s start at the very beginning; give yourself as much time as possible in the morning to avoid bringing that rushed stress with you to work. Waking up late, skipping breakfast and other disorganised behaviours won’t benefit your workday, the stress of rushing around, being tired, will have a negative impact and set the tone for your entire day. Get organised and start your day stress free!

Go from worst to best

Starting off with your most dreaded task gets them out of the way and means your day can only go up from there. By doing the tasks you like the least you can look forward to the more rewarding work and know that you’ve got better things to come throughout the day!

Stay hydrated!

Now, not only is this a great life hack, but also it’s a really important workday hack as well. This may seem obvious, but it’s something many of us overlook and forget about throughout the workday. Staying hydrated helps eliminate the risk of headaches, fatigue and distraction throughout your workday, so bring a water bottle with you and keep your fluids up!

Don’t sweat the small stuff

We’re all perfectionist when it comes to our work, but it’s important not to dwell on the things we can’t control.  Keep things moving throughout your workday and remind yourself not to sweat the small stuff, this will ensure your work doesn’t come to a standstill and you’re being as productive as possible.

Love what you do!

Everyone has heard the saying ‘If you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life’ and we couldn’t agree with that more. If you enjoy your work, have a passion for it and truly love what you do then that is the biggest workday hack of them all!


Do you agree with our workday hacks? Let us know on Facebook.

Want to find out more about working with our team? Visit our careers page!


Teamwork makes for dream work - How to boost productivity at your workplace

Teamwork makes for dream work

Our team here at Melbourne Social Co is made up of a group of amazing, supportive women (and a few men) all with unique skills. Anyone who’s been a part of a great team knows that it’s refreshing to be part of a fun, supportive group where it’s easy to get work done. Below we are detailing some reasons why teamwork makes dream work!


A team that gets along well is the ultimate dream team! There’s nothing worse than working in an environment where no one gets along – this extends to the work itself. If motivation and morale is low, the work done won’t be of the highest possible quality. Holding team building days and catch ups outside of work hours is a great way to build team spirit and foster friendships that transcend to the workplace.

If working as a team is one thing, it should be this – fun! It’s no surprise that having a laugh and sipping a couple of coffees with wonderful colleagues makes the work day that much better. Taking breaks throughout the day to have a quick chat or grab some lunch makes for a much productive day in the end. However, although being able to joke around and have fun is great, it’s important to remember to remain professional in the workplace.

Working together is easy peasy when the team is full of hard working, talented individuals with a mutual goal of creating amazing work! Teamwork really does make for dream work because ideas are bounced off one another and visions are supported, giving each team member the confidence to try new things and do incredible work!

A team with a diverse set of skills and strengths is a team like no other. Teams that work efficiently and effectively will be the best in the biz as they will deliver results on time and in line with expectations.


Want to know how our team of talented strategists, content creators, community mangers and social media experts could help your business get to the next level? Get in touch with us today for a consultation!


Thinking about hiring a digital agency? Read more about the benefits of working with a boutique digital marketing agency.

Teamwork makes for dream work - How to boost productivity at your workplace
Teamwork makes for dream work - How to boost productivity at your workplace

Three Easy Ways to Increase Office Productivity

Three Easy Ways to Increase Office Productivity

Feeling like you need to boost your productivity? You know the feeling. It’s just after 2pm and you’re left staring into the abyss that is your iMac screen, wishing reports would magically write themselves and you had a time turner to push 5pm that little bit closer.

Don’t feel guilty, we’ve all been there- boredom and distraction happens to even the most dedicated employees. Luckily for you, we’ve popped together three of our favourite tips to increase office productivity and keep you occupied and focused all shift long!

Keep Things Tidy

We know the last thing you feel like doing is giving your desk a once over with the Windex when you have piles of work to be and major writer’s block. But, trust us, this little tip could make all the difference!

Recent studies have confirmed the correlation between increased anxiety levels and a messy environment (at home or in the workspace). Clutter and untidiness can subconsciously affect mental clarity, making it all the more difficult to focus on an urgent task at hand.

We recommend keeping a small dustbin close by so you can manage your disposable mess, whilst adhering to a clear and simple organisational structure for files and documents. Even if this means spending an extra 5 -10 minutes at the end of the day tidying and putting things back into place, you and the quality of your work will be so much better for it!

Stay Nourished and Hydrated

Hitting the snooze button on a chilly winter’s morning instead of getting up 15 minutes early to grab something quick to eat is a common occurrence for many of us. Whilst you may run out the door feeling full, once you’ve properly awoken and arrived at work, hunger will soon rear its ugly head.

Hunger can drastically affect mood and concentration, so instead of you (and your work) suffering until lunchtime, be sure to leave some healthy snacks in your handbag or office drawer to snack on and keep your energy levels on track.

Eating small amounts regularly fuels our metabolism and largely contributes to our blood sugar and energy levels, equalling increased concentration and motivation.

We recommend foods high in ‘good’ fats such as almonds and avocados and berries and green vegetables rich in vitamins K & C. These kinds of Superfoods promote healthy brain function and minimise bodily stress through the benefits of antioxidants.

Stretch Your Legs

Although the thought of an afternoon stroll sounds entirely counterproductive when you have serious deadlines looming, taking a quick break can actually improve concentration. Even if it’s just five minutes around the block, up and down the stairs, or to the local coffee shop and back, moving around every few hours is very important for those with a desk job and sedentary lifestyle.

Studies have found that those who take short, regular breaks in the workspace maintain a more constant level of performance than those who don’t. Plus, moving around increases blood flow, which promotes good cardiovascular health, and all in all increases cognitive awareness and mental clarity. Plus, who would say no to an extra coffee break?!


So there you have them, our tried and tested, simple yet sure-fire ways to increase productivity, stay focused and motivated during your daily grind, courtesy of the team at Melbourne Social Co.

Three Easy Ways to Increase Office Productivity

Want to know more about our strategy or content creation services? Send us an email today to [email protected]


How To Set And Keep Your New Year's Resolutions!

How To Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

New Year, new you. How many times have you said that to yourself? Every year? Us too! So many of us set unrealistic resolutions each year and end up breaking them. The key to setting reasonable New Year’s resolutions that you won’t break is to make them measurable and achievable. We’ll leave your personal resolutions up to you, but to help you get on track for a more productive year at work, here are some of our top productivity tips!

  1. Address must-do’s first

Have you ever put of a big project in favour of smaller, less critical ones? We’re all guilty! Although you may get the smaller tasks done faster, you could find yourself running out of time to complete the big project. So, to ensure they get done on time, always work on the more important projects at the start of the day. Your future self with thank you.

  1. Take breaks

Try to figure out when your productivity begins to drain and take a break. Go for a walk around the block, grab a drink or snack. When you sit back at your desk, you’ll feel more alive and ready to tackle your to-do list. Also, taking time out of each day for a bit of mindfulness will do wonders for your productivity.

  1. Stop multitasking

It’s a myth, okay. We all think it’s possible but really it’s not. Instead of jumping between multiple tasks at once, commit your focus to one task at a time. You’ll be surprised how much faster you get them all done simply by tackling one project at a time.

  1. Schedule email time and turn off notifications

These are two infamous concentration breakers. Having a set time to check emails means you aren’t getting distracted throughout the day. Set aside time in the morning and afternoon to read through and respond to emails. As for notifications, turn off the insignificant ones to allow yourself to focus on the job at hand. Nothing is more distracting than a snapchat notification popping up on your phone!

  1. Know when it’s time to delegate and outsource

Many business owners think they can tackle everything on their own, and this is when they become overloaded and overworked. Learning which projects and tasks can be outsourced and which ones require your input is a skill. By outsourcing jobs to other professionals, you’re freeing up your time to focus on more important jobs.

Here’s to a greater, more productive work year for you and your team!


If you find your workload increasing and think you may need to outsource, whether it be with content creation, branding and strategy, or community management, our team is here to help! Shoot us an email to book a consultation.

How To Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions


Ten tips to leading a more productive life

Ten tips to leading a more productive life

Do you find yourself clicking your pen an hour after you sit down at your desk? Do you take a few too many coffee breaks just so you can escape the office? Here are ten tips to help you lead a more productive life both in the office and at home.

  1. To-do lists (tackle the toughest to-do first)

To-do lists help organize our chaotic lives, so start writing friends! Even better, write tomorrow’s to-do list today. Before you go to bed each night, jot down the list of jobs you want to complete tomorrow. You’ll have a head start for the following day! #winning

  1. Switch off

A good nights sleep is super important if you want to be a fully functioning adult the following day. Switching off your mobile phone will stop you from checking Instagram at 2am, leading to an amazing sleep. If you’re feeling daring, you could even leave your phone outside your bedroom (gasp!)

  1. Exercise regularly

Exercise is great because it gives us more energy (yay!) When you exercise, the brain releases serotonin, which stimulates positive moods and emotions. Exercise also increases blood flow to the brain, sharpening awareness and alertness.

  1. Set goals

Setting goals that are achievable yet difficult will help push you to greater success. Writing goals down on a piece of paper and making them visible everyday means you’re more likely to focus on achieving them!

  1. Start your day early

Okay so waking up at 5:30am might be a hard ask, but getting up when the sun does has its benefits. Completing tasks early in the day leaves you feeling accomplished by 10am and gives you the confidence to tackle the rest of the day. Not to mention you have the whole evening to relax!

  1. Organize your office space

Your environment is important factor when it comes to productivity. Try de-cluttering your desk, adding some plants and perhaps burning a candle. This will create an environment that makes you feel positive and creative. 

  1. Stop multi-tasking

As much as we’d love to believe otherwise, it’s near impossible to do more than one thing at a time. Free your mind (and your desktop) of distractions so you can focus on one task at a time. 

  1. Eat well

Eating well and drinking plenty of water is important for both our physical and mental health. A study by the British Journal of Health Psychology highlighted that the more fruits and vegetables people consumed, the happier, more engaged, and more creative they tended to be.

  1. Take frequent breaks

We’re all guilty of thinking we’re superhuman and that we’re able to sit at our desk working for four hours straight. Our brains can only function for so long so remember to take breaks throughout the day; stretch, grab a coffee, have a snack, or walk around the block. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to conquer the next task!

  1. Utilize your commute

If you use public transport to get to and from work each day, use the journey wisely. Instead of spending half an hour in the office checking emails, why not go through them on your commute. If you’re stuck in traffic driving to work, put on a podcast! Try Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso.

We hope these tips help you overcome that slump of productiveness we all go through every now and then.

Do you have any productivity pointers of your own? Share them with us in the comment section below.


5 reasons to add greenery to your workspace

5 reasons to add greenery to your workspace

Have you always wanted to fill your workplace with terrariums and indoor plants? Well we're here to tell you, you should!

A number of scientific studies have proven the psychological and physical benefits of having plants in the office.

Here are five reasons to add some greenery to your workplace!

Reduced stress

Adding plants to the workplace has been known to reduce stress, as well as feelings of anger, depression and anxiety. Being in an environment with greenery present makes employees both calmer and happier.

Cleaner air

Air quality is significantly improved with the presence of plants as they help clear the air of chemicals. They decrease carbon dioxide levels and also assist in reducing dust levels.

Increased productivity

Research has shown that having plants in the office increases productivity among employees. Individuals perform cognitive tasks better, along with being more focused and having much better concentration. Employees also display greater creativity when plants are present in the office.

A better environment to be in

It is reasonably fair to say that plants make for a pretty great environment to be in. Along with their psychological benefits, plants make for a much more pleasant and tranquil environment to be in...and therefore work in!

Reduce sickness and absence

Having plants in the workplace can reduce sickness among employees as plants bring moisture back into the environment, which helps reduce the likelihood of headaches, sore throats and stuffy noses.

So which plants should you have?

There are a number of plants that will fit perfectly into the workplace! Here are some of the best indoor plants that thrive in low light, dry environments and will stay alive if you forget to water them every now and then (we’re all guilty of this!):

  • Spider plant
  • Snake plant
  • Peace Lily
  • Devil’s Ivy
  • Succulents
  • Cacti

As for the placement of plants in the office, this is dependent on the office conditions. If your workplace is blessed with large windows and natural light, you can essentially choose any of the plants listed above and put them wherever you like...lucky duck! If your office receives very little sunlight, you’re best to stick to plants like Peace Lily and Devil’s Ivy.

Do you have plants in the office already? Let us know your favourites in the comments below!

5 reasons to add greenery to your workspace


5 Things Every Business Owner Should Do Before 7am

5 Things Every Business Owner Should Do Before 7am

Ready to make a big difference to your day? It all begins with your morning routine!

The first few hours of your day can have a huge impact on your overall mental and physical state so it’s vital to implement some easy morning tasks to reduce stress, increase happiness and encourage productivity and motivation for the day ahead.

Get your alarm ready and try these 5 things every business owner should do before 7am now:

  1. Get up early:

For those of you out there who aren’t naturally morning people, we’re here to encourage you to set your alarm that little bit earlier and get up and get moving.

Waking up early is a great way to find extra time to fit all those little tasks in that you run out of time to do, including exercising, cleaning the house, reading a book, or getting on top of your to-do list.

Use this time before the phone starts to ring, or your kids get up to do something positive. We guarantee it will help you feel less stressed and more motivated for the day ahead.

  1. Exercise:

There’s nothing quite like getting those endorphins going first thing in the morning!

Starting your morning with regular exercise can help reduce stress, clear your mind and increase your energy for a busy working day ahead! Plus, it’s great for your physical health by helping you combat obesity and health concerns like heart disease.

Try a walk or run around the block, a weight session at the gym or even yoga exercises in your lounge room. Every little bit counts!

  1. Set your goals and priorities:

If you’re struggling to get through your never-ending to-do list, spend some time before you head into the office to write your goals and priorities for the day.

This will help you begin your day with purpose, so you can increase your productivity and focus on the tasks that really matter.

We recommend putting the hardest and biggest tasks at the top of your to-do list, so you can tick them off first thing in the morning when your mind is fresh. 

  1. Do something that you love:

Sometimes with the craziness of our day-to-day lives, we forget to take time out to do the things that we enjoy. So why not spend those early hours before 7am, doing something for you. This is sure to kick-start your day on a positive note. 

  1. Avoid phone time:

While it may be tempting to roll over and scroll through your social media channels or check your emails as soon as you wake, it’s important to try limiting access to your phone for at least the first 30 minutes to an hour when you wake up. By looking at your phone first thing in the morning, you’re more likely to start your day in a stressful and negative mind frame, then if you have some sacred time to focus on doing something positive for your mind and body.

Are you a business owner who gets up before 7am? What are your essential morning tasks? Comment and let us know.


Creating a productive and inspiring workplace environment

Creating a productive and inspiring workplace environment

We’ve all arrived at work on a Monday morning, unmotivated and uninspired to begin the working day.

That’s why it’s up to you as a business owner to create the right kind of workplace environment to encourage yourself and your team to work hard and do their best every day.

Unsure where to start? Here are our top tips for creating a productive and inspiring workplace environment:

Have the right kind of set-up:

Believe it or not, the space you work in can have a huge impact on your mental focus, productivity and workplace culture.

So why not adorn your desk with things that motivate you, whether it’s an inspirational quote, beautiful flowers or pictures of your loved ones. You spend most of your time at your desk, so you want it to be a place you enjoy working at.

Aside from your personal desk space, it’s also important to note the layout of your office to ensure it’s maximised for productivity and caters to all workers and tasks. Ensure you have an area for private work when you really need to knuckle down to business, as well as large tables for brainstorming, meetings and teamwork.

Other workplace essentials include:

  • Having plenty of natural daylight
  • Fresh flowers and plants
  • Lots of fresh air
  • Images/artwork that is inspiring and motivational

Encourage relationships:

There’s no greater support than the support from the people you work with so make sure you encourage relationships and a great team environment within your organisation.

Ways to do this include:

  • Assign team work
  • Have a weekly team meeting
  • Organise monthly team lunches
  • Plan work social events (from dinner, to bowling or the movies!)

By encouraging communication and fostering relationships within the workplace, you and your employees will not only enjoy coming to work, but everyone will be more productive by easily communicating and working together to get the job done!

Embrace technology:

It’s no secret that we love technology here at Melbourne Social Co and we believe it can be great for helping workplaces to be more productive!

Instead of organising countless face-to-face meetings that eat into your day, invest in a project management system. This will help everyone to keep track of their daily, weekly and monthly tasks without the need for endless emails or meetings – yes please!


Now that you’ve got your workplace sorted, it’s time to take your business’s social media marketing to the next level. If you’re unsure where to start, contact our team of digital marketing experts today. Contact us on: e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165.

 

 


5 ways to de-stress at the end of the week

5 ways to de-stress at the end of the week

There’s nothing worse than finishing a stressful week of work and not being able to unwind during those two glorious days we call the weekend. Taking our work home with us is an easy thing to do, but it’s important we give ourselves time to switch off and rejuvenate before we start another crazy week.

If you can’t get work responsibilities off your mind and you’re struggling to de-stress, here are five things you should try to get the most out of your next weekend.

Get up early and exercise 

It’s tempting to sleep in after a busy work week, but waking up early to fit some exercise into your day will help you clear your mind and use those precious work-free days to the best advantage.

Exercise is a tried and tested, scientifically proven form of stress relief and will help you focus on the day’s tasks while having some extra endorphins in your body. Plus, going for a walk or run is a great distraction no matter what’s on your mind, so you have nothing to lose except that lingering work stress.

Unplug and unwind

Technology is kind of like a new born baby. On the one hand we’re incredibly blessed it exists and without it our world would be entirely different. On the other, it constantly demands our attention, takes up all of our time and can, let’s face it, be extremely irritating.

Turning off your phone and computer will stop you from reading work-related emails, wasting time and energy mindlessly scrolling through your social media channels, and will give you the space you need to truly breathe after a chaotic week.

Grab coffee with a friend

Your friends can be the perfect distraction when you can’t seem to switch off, and even better sounding boards when you need to vent about work. Grabbing a coffee or a bite to eat with a friend will get you out of the house and talking to someone other than your work colleagues. Plus, focusing on someone else’s life is a great way to forget about all the things that are stressing you out.

Spend time on something completely unrelated to work

Finally start that veggie garden you keep putting off or try your hand at some DIY candle making. Whatever it is, spending time on a project outside of work will keep your mind busy and give you something completely unrelated to work to focus on. And, for those of us who aren’t very good at doing nothing, it’s also a great way to unwind while still staying productive on the weekends.

Treat yourself

It may sound shallow, but research has proven that occasionally treating yourself actually makes your brain happier. While you probably shouldn’t treat yourself all the time (even though you deserve it), mixing up your everyday life by doing something you usually wouldn’t is a legitimate way of relieving stress.

So, in case you needed an excuse to take a four-hour long bubble bath or buy those shoes you’ve been staring at through the shop window, now science has given you one.


What’s your favourite way to de-stress at the end of a busy week? Let us know in the comments below!


Written by Penny Robinson-Brown