Vital Stats
- Player: Linda Trim
- Company: Giant Leap
- Position: Director of sales and marketing
- What they do: Office design (workplace specialists) for a better place to work, and think
On office space and productivity
We’ve built our brand and company culture on ‘workstyle’, a twist on lifestyle. The first eight hours of your day are very important, so workstyle is about providing people with an office and tools that help them have a balanced and productive day.
When people enjoy being at work, you will retain the best for longer, they’re more productive and talk proudly of your brand.
On making open plan work
We have a mix of open plan, collaborative and quiet spaces, as modern offices need to be flexible.
Open plan can be disruptive and because we’re collaborative by nature, we have a flag system to signal when someone is not to be disturbed, and if a discussion is needed it’s taken to the collaborative zone.
Private phone calls are taken in our sound-proof phone booth, and if you need to chill out for 20 minutes or need privacy for work, we also have spaces for that.
On lunch breaks
Our company rule is that no one is allowed to eat lunch at their desk – it’s unhygienic and discourages mingling among staff. I tend to take a short walk to the shops for fresh air and exercise, and then I interact with staff in the canteen.
There you learn about their lives, what they’re working on, any work problems, and interact with people you ordinarily don’t speak to. This all lends to a happy, energised workspace.
What do you wish people would realise about ergonomics?
It’s not just about the chair you sit in, it’s your whole environment working together to create a comfortable space geared for work: Acoustic ceiling tiles, correct lighting, comfortable desks and chairs, the right office equipment nearby, departments that work together situated in close proximity to one another, proper ventilation, pleasing colours and textures.
What separates a ‘cool’ office from a functional one?
Functionality is more important than the cool factor, as it’s functionality that fosters productivity.
A great office is first and foremost about understanding the company’s function, designing for that, and then promoting wellness and comfort.
How do you maintain your productivity daily?
I have a to-do list and a plan made at the end of every work day so that I can switch off at home, and when I arrive at the office I know what’s important. I always do the things I have to do but don’t really enjoy, first.
I exercise every morning before work, and that energises me for most of the day. When I feel myself losing momentum, I take 30 minutes to sit in our quiet room and practice mindfulness.
I have an app that’s really helpful! After that I often feel as energised as I did in the morning.
What is meditation for you?
For me, it’s really about taking ten to fifteen minutes to clear my mind of all thoughts, and to concentrate on breathing.
I take a Feldenkrais class to learn how to breathe properly for relaxation, energising, and so on.
For example, practice breathing in through your mouth and out through your nose and note its effect on you.
On slowing down
I’ve just read a book called The Slow Fix, by Carl Honoré and it’s about the philosophy of slowing down in order to arrive at better decisions and solutions.
When you push, push, push constantly, you often get a short-term fix rather than the best result. When I catch myself becoming rushed or distracted, I pull myself back and focus on the one important thing that needs completing.
On getting exercise in
Exercise invigorates me mentally, it energises me, and also relaxes me after a busy day. I treat it in the same way I do appointments: I have fitness gurus for everything and I make appointments with them religiously.
That way, they can think for me, can push my boundaries, and I can’t just skip it because I don’t feel like it.