Five ways to make your people more creative

Five ways to make your people more creative

If there’s one trait that every employer should want to bring out in their staff, it’s creativity. This can be broadly construed, but it has to do with a willingness to think in new ways, to solve problems, and to cast off traditions that no longer serve a purpose.

To help you play your part, here are five ways to make your working environment more creative.

The most creative workplaces are those where every member of the team knows they can share an idea and have it taken seriously.  

1) Encourage teamwork and collaboration – where appropriate

"No man is an island, entire of itself". So said the poet John Donne, and he was definitely onto something. Although some tasks require careful concentration and a degree of solitude, the best way to foster a creative working environment is to get people interacting. Encourage them to share ideas and bounce around fresh thoughts. There’s a reason companies like Google set up their workplaces to be as relaxed as possible, engendering a "chilled out culture". That’s how you get staff to look at the world in fresh ways – and it’s through this that the great ideas come about. 

2) Give your introverts space to be themselves

For all the benefits of loud, chatty workspaces, every employer will have staff whose best thinking is done alone. These so-called introverts aren’t necessarily shy or self-effacing. They just know that they’re more likely to come up with something brilliant if everyone gives them some space. So that’s exactly what good employers do – create areas where employees can go for quiet time, to mull things over and dream dreams. Think Don Draper lying back on his couch in Mad Men or Patrick Jane doing similar in The Mentalist. It’s a simple fact of life: sometimes, people need space to think. Give it to them, and the results can be spectacular. 

Five ways to make your people more creative3) Don’t be precious about hierarchies

The most creative workplaces are those where every member of the team knows they can share an idea and have it taken seriously. If you want to encourage your people to think big, you need to make sure they’re free to say what’s on their mind. This doesn’t mean doing away with management structures, although the business guru Jim Collins is happy to suggest gently tugging at their seams. It just means creating a culture in which everyone is valued, and given a chance to come up with the next great idea. 

4) Be flexible about working patterns

Heard the one about the genius whose best ideas come into her head at 4am? Of course you have, because it’s a tried-and-tested cliché that creativity doesn’t stick to a regimented nine to five. So how about showing a bit of leg in your working hours? Let staff come and go, honour the time they put into thinking about work when they’re not actually present. Give them space to head out for a run in the afternoon, or read a novel, or head to the cinema. Whatever gets their creative juices flowing will be good for them, and good for your business, too.

5) Encourage a bit of time-wasting

The global corporation 3M encourages staff to spend up to 15 per cent of their time at work on projects of their own devising. It’s thanks to this that the world has the Post-It note and reflective number plates. Both of these products were developed during that 15 per cent. And they’ve both made 3M a fortune. Something to think about when you’re guiding staff on how to spend their working hours. 

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
How to communicate with your employees
Ten ways for an employer to engage their employees

 

Published: 7 October 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

New job
Brand Coordinator
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Location: Braintree
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC23
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a well-regarded business based in Braintree who are recruiting for a Brand Coordinator to add to their team.

As a Brand Coordinator, you will manage the entire process from product development to customer delivery, including:

  • Product development and follow-up in collaboration with customers, Sales and Business Development Managers, and your international colleagues
  • Daily contact with customers
  • Daily communication with colleagues across multiple production sites
  • Creating and maintaining master data
  • Inventory planning
  • Monitoring KPIs such as delivery times and coverage

Role requirements include:

  • Strong commercial skills
  • Proactive, action-oriented and self-motivated
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and maintain an overview
  • Service-minded and skilled at building and maintaining good relationships
  • Working systematically and structured
  • Desire to advance your career within the company and build long-term relationships with customers and colleagues
  • Have more than 2 years of experience in purchasing or as a purchasing assistant

Working hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Sales Office Coordinator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC22
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Sales Office Coordinator to join a well-established company based in Ipswich.

You’ll be working within a busy, fast-paced, team-oriented, customer-focused Sales Office. The main emphasis of the role is to manage customer expectations by organising the pricing of materials to meet project deadlines. Previous experience in processing quotes, sales, purchase orders, and invoices is preferred.

The ability to problem solve and seek solutions is essential, as is the ability to control workload with varying demands, whilst applying attention to detail with a diplomatic and proactive approach. You will possess previous experience within a similar role.

Duties include:

  • Preparing project quotations.
  • Processing sales and purchase orders.
  • Preparing/checking customers' invoices.
  • Data validation/attention to detail checking customer purchase orders/project information.
  • Proactively managing customer relations with both approved contractors, suppliers and external sales teams.
  • Managing inter-departmental communications relating to project quotes/orders/deliveries/invoicing.
  • Co-ordination of project pricing, deliveries and problem-solving customer queries.
  • Ability to adapt communication style/approach to manage a diverse range of tasks throughout the project process.

Key experience required includes:

  • Previous experience in high-level administration, with strong attention to detail and excellent customer service skills
  • Experience within a sales support function would be advantageous.
  • A proactive approach to workload, rather than reactive.

Hybrid working is available after successful completion of the probationary period — a minimum of 3 days in the office and up to 2 days working from home

Hours: Monday – Friday (9:00am - 5:00pm).

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Warehouse Team Leader
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £27,000 - £30,000 per annum
Location: Earls Colne
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC21
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a growing company based in Earls Colne with the recruitment of a Warehouse Team Leader.

Duties include:

  • Overseeing and coordinating daily warehousing activities, including receiving, storing, handling, shipping, and inventory management.
  • Getting stuck in and working with the team on a daily basis.
  • Implementing and enforcing safety guidelines and procedures to ensure a secure working environment.
  • Scheduling and assigning tasks to warehouse staff, ensuring efficient workflow.
  • Assisting in inventory control to optimise stock levels and minimise discrepancies.
  • Ensuring the team is equipped with proper safety attire for their protection.
  • Preparing and managing the smooth transfer of stock to and from stores.
  • Leading and motivating a team of 6 passionate warehouse associates.

Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm.
During peak seasons, you may be required to work a Saturday.

Role requirements include:

  • Previous experience in a warehousing role.
  • Excellent communication skills to effectively manage a team.
  • Be able to prioritise own and team’s workload and use own initiative.

Please note that due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Sales Manager
Sector: Sales
Location: South East
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913721
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing Sudbury-based business seeking a Sales Manager to join their long-standing team.

Due to continued growth, this newly created role will play a key part within the sales and marketing team — delivering exceptional service to new and existing customers while managing ongoing accounts.

You’ll act as the vital link between customers and the technical teams, ensuring every interaction reinforces the company’s reputation for excellence.

The sales team is expected to know their clients, and therefore, a minimum of 50% of your time will be spent in front of customers.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Prospect and build a pipeline of winnable projects.
  • Negotiate and close transactions.
  • Provide outstanding customer service to new and existing clients.
  • Build and nurture relationships to drive customer satisfaction, retention, and repeat business.
  • Understand customer needs and effectively communicate product information, features, and benefits.
  • Support customers throughout the sales cycle, from enquiry through to delivery and aftersales.
  • Manage time and priorities effectively to meet deadlines and maintain high service standards.

Skills and qualifications include:

  • Proven experience in prospecting new clients, preparing proposals, negotiating and closing disinfection sales in the water and wastewater industry.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills — confident, clear, and customer-focused.
  • Strong ability to build rapport, listen actively, and translate customer needs into practical solutions.
  • Solid understanding of the sales process and relationship management.
  • Skilled at explaining technical products in an approachable way (training provided).
  • Effective time management, organisation, and follow-through.

This is an excellent opportunity to grow and develop within a successful team and business.

If you are a hungry and driven salesperson - this role is for you!

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more