FocusFlag Helps Businesses Reimagine Workplace Culture in a Post-Pandemic World
COVID transformed nearly every aspect of daily life, including the American workplace. As businesses welcome back their employees – some are returning to the office full-time, others working hybrid schedules – the need to maximize employee potential and engagement is more critical than ever.
However, many companies find rebuilding workplace culture easier said than done. With so many old systems and policies no longer relevant to the new work environment, managers and leaders are searching for new ways to foster a culture of motivation and achievement. In increasing numbers, individuals and organizations are turning to a simple tool that profoundly impacts both personal and group productivity.
FocusFlag is a strong focus and productivity tool – a flip-up device that affixes easily to the back of a laptop or monitor. By flipping the flag up, an individual can wordlessly signal to the rest of the office that they are engaged in meaningful, deep work. As a result, colleagues and managers instantly understand that they should not be interrupted by non-urgent matters. When the flag is down, individuals signal to the rest of the office that they are available for discussion and collaboration.
At an affordable cost of $15, FocusFlag represents one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways for teams to get their work done effectively in an open office. Created by Adam Yormark, FocusFlag provides a clear signal to people within a given team or organization – and it is a signal that can be adapted to fit the particular needs of a business.
“If you are an office manager, especially if you are starting a new office, or if there is a change in leadership or a big shift in the way the office works, there is an opportunity to adopt FocusFlag by giving it to everyone in the office,” Yormark says. “When you give it to everyone at the same time, it takes about half a day for everyone to get on the same page, and then it just starts working seamlessly.”
FocusFlag creates a “force field of productivity and focus” around individual employees, keeping them engaged in their work and allowing them the time and space to dive deep into the nuances of critical tasks truly. It dramatically reduces office distractions, leading to more excellent production and a more robust workplace culture.
“One of the best things about FocusFlag is that you can use it for its intended purpose, which is to provide individuals with a tool to get their work done, or you can create your own rules around it,” Yormark says. “You might have everyone on your team keep their FocusFlags up for a certain period, then take an exercise break for 15 minutes. It really functions in the office as a group organizational tool that keeps people on the same page.”
By signaling to the rest of the office that you are engaged in deep work, FocusFlag also serves as a personal accountability tool. Raising the flag means that an employee is working on critical tasks and should not be disturbed – which can be a powerful motivator for the employees themselves.
“My first customer bought this as a tool for himself so that he could keep himself on track,” Yormark says. “Then he got a job and brought it into the office, where it had a tremendous impact.”
That customer, a software developer with Amazon, had this to say about the Focus Flag:
I find this product EXTREMELY useful for group study and “get together pair coding.” It’s so easy to call people out when they reach for their phones and the flag is up.
“For him, the FocusFlag is a great group accountability tool – when the flag is up, you all have made a visual commitment, an agreement and pact to work on one particular thing,” Yormark says. “And when those flags are up, you are obligated to continue, to remain focused on the agreed-upon task. It is a very effective tool to keep an entire group on track.”
As employees return to the office full-time or in a hybrid schedule, it is critical for office managers and team leaders to create an environment where professionals can thrive. FocusFlag can help businesses reimagine the future of work with an effective tool that not only keeps individuals and teams focused on their tasks but empowers them to work with minimal oversight.
“FocusFlag allows employees greater control over their environment, and allows them to develop self-efficacy, which is crucial to employee engagement,” Yormark says. “As a manager, you build trust within your team when you allow them to manage themselves. Everyone feels good about their work – they do more, they produce better work, and everything functions more effectively.”
To learn more about how FocusFlag is revolutionizing the modern office, visit www.focusflag.com.
