The big buzz in modern office design is centered on the notion of an open floor plan which encourages collaboration and creativity and compliments the new way that employees work-virtually and flexibly through the internet. The whole driving thrust of this office design movement is that workplaces should reflect corporate strategy and encourage better work done by employees. But! According to what is reported in a leading management agency a few years ago, less than 5% of corporations across the globe utilize work place design to promote corporate strategy or improve performance.
Sadly, 5% globally means almost NIL!!!
Unfortunately, the prevailing view among business owners is still to fit the most employees in the smallest space by installing rows upon rows of grey cubicles, which actually stifles human contact and employee collaboration. Without these interactions, employees tend not to innovate or really care about their jobs. Although this uninspired design may have short-term savings, it can have a terrible effect on long-term productivity and employee happiness.
Of course, not all businesses can afford to design a state-of-the-art workspace decorated with a koi pond in the lobby, but a few simple design choices can open up your space and encourage more collaboration and greater productivity. Read on to know your choices….
1. Create shared spaces. Instead of walled off cubicles, create two or three-walled spaces where multiple employees can work at once. You can even designate a few project areas where teams can collaborate. This strategy is especially effective if you choose to have unassigned work spaces. Employees can work individually at a computer one day and easily transfer their work to a group project area when given a new assignment. The more employees are able to share ideas with one another, the more creative and productive they become, making shared spaces an easy way to create greater profits for your business.
2. Make yourself accessible. Managers and CEOs don’t need to wall themselves into private offices anymore. Although that corner office is nice, you can really boost employee morale by making yourself both visible and accessible to employees in a partitioned office rather than a walled-off one. Plus, you can better manage your business when you find yourself interacting with all level of employees on a weekly basis. Spend the money that would have gone to your fancy office on better computers, faster internet, or more coffee for the break room and gain even happier, more productive employees!
3. Throw in some aesthetics. It may seem like textured walls or colourful furniture are an unnecessary splurge, but if your business brings clients onto the premises, these added design features could close the deal. In fact, you will most likely find that if you bring a prospective client to your beautifully designed offices, they are twice or three times more likely to purchase your business’s service or product. Again, this is another instance where an initial expense can lead to long-term profitability.
4. Consult an expert. Before you start knocking down walls and reorganizing the work habits of your staff, consult a space planner, architect, or interior designer. These experts can help integrate your corporate strategy into the design, allowing for an easy transition for your employees. Find an expert who will understand what works for you and your business. It’s not about reinventing the wheel. It’s about making a space that reflects the best in your business!
Gone are the days when office spaces were all about office desks, walls and meeting rooms, now the trend among successful businesses is to create a more efficient and enjoyable workspace for their employees. Present day business owners have a wider viewpoint when it comes to these new commercial office spaces, which is – if you are going to spend a great deal of time and money preparing these new offices, why not make them into workspaces that actually invigorate your staff? And it has been proved a multiple time that if you’re a business owner or office manager thinking along these lines, then you’re already on track to a successful possession of a productive and happy office space, which means a bright future for your business.
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