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YOU KNOW YOUR OFFICE COULD USE A MAKEOVER. Whether you’ve literally outgrown the space, are no longer a fan of sterile cubicles, or would simply prefer a more modern look, it’s obvious when something needs to change.
What you may not realize is just how much a custom redesign could
benefit your business, on all levels. After all, environment does more than
just influence how we feel, it determines how we interact with others –
and when it comes to the long-term health of your business, nothing
could be more important.
This is why we’ve compiled a list of 5 reasons your current office design
could actually be hurting your business.
Conference rooms are great for planned meetings, especially those
involving potential clients. But what about providing space for employees
who want to collaborate off the cuff? After studying the inner-workings
of companies from various industries – from pharmaceuticals to finance
– emerging data is showing face-to-face interactions are by far the most
defining factor of success. These sort of serendipitous encounters are
where questions get asked that might have otherwise been forgotten,
creative solutions delightfully emerge, and employees gain a sense of
company ownership. As recently reported by The Harvard Business
Review, Norwegian telecommunications company Telenor was able to
shift from a state-run monopoly to a competitive multi-national carrier
with 150 million subscribers, largely due to strategically placed coffee
machines. Shortly after incorporating “hot desking” (no assigned seating)
in 2003, the company redesigned its headquarters, shifting the number
of coffee machines available from one to every six employees to one for
every 120 employees. The initiative involved ripping out the old stations
and replacing them with a smaller number of large and strategically
placed machines. The immediate result? Cross-engagement between
employees from multiple departments and increased productivity due
to more efficient meeting space options.
LACK OF FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATION1
According to a recent Monster.com study, the improving economy
will continue to favor passive and active job seekers alike. This means
employers will have to more competitively position themselves in the
years ahead. You can separate yourself from the pack by providing a
modern office environment with lifestyle amenities (i.e. fitness, cafe and
lounge areas). The more competitive the industry, the more important
such factors will become. Look no further than tech companies like
Google, Yahoo, and Facebook to get an idea of just how far you can
stray from the “typical workspace”, while still yielding great results. Such
businesses often have reputations that precede themselves, as their
physical decor only matches their forward thinking philosophies. You
too can create a desirable company culture by putting employees first,
fostering an environment of trust and showing staff their opinions are
valued by providing well-designed, collaborative workspaces. Not only
can an attractive design help you attract more ideal candidates, it can
also save you the expense of training and re-hiring that often comes with
excessive turnover.
With more than 50 percent of the U.S. workforce now being made up
of Millennials (ages 18 to 34), outfitting your office with convenient
electrical outlets and tech friendly furnishings is important. Today’s young
people are accustomed to multitasking between devices and accessing
information as needed and on the go. Lack awareness for this innate
preference and you’ll risk discouraging half your staff from getting work
done the way they’re accustomed. Even older generations have come to
enjoy the convenience provided by pulling up an email on a smartphone
or reviewing a report on a tablet. By making your furnishings and office
layout “tech friendly,” you can increase productivity across the board.
FAILURE TO ATTRACT TOP CANDIDATES2
LACK OF TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION3
Though most of us can now technically work from anywhere with a
wireless connection, we don’t actually want to. Studies show people
strongly prefer working in environments with natural light, fresh air
and privacy options. What used to be considered an optional perk, is
now being supported by science as a high-performance necessity.
According to the Northwestern University study “Impact of Workplace
Daylight Exposure on Sleep, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life,” there
is a strong relationship between workplace daylight exposure and an
office worker’s sleep, activity and quality of life. Compared to workers in
offices without windows, those with windows received 173 percent more
white light exposure and slept an average of 46 minutes more per night.
Workers without windows scored lower on quality of life measures as well.
You can use this information to your advantage by intentionally designing
community spaces near the periphery; making window views available
to all in the form of break-out spaces, lounges and cafeterias. Another
factor that routinely arises in employee grievance surveys? Sound privacy.
The good news is that a well-designed, open office can facilitate effective
solitary work solutions without having to sacrifice the benefits an open
office concept provides.
Take these points into consideration throughout your next office redesign
and you’ll avoid some common pitfalls that end up hurting far too many
businesses.
How much space do you really need? If you’ve already been through the
process of securing an office space, you know it’s one of the first questions
a real estate broker will ask. Estimating office space requirements can
be tough. Lease too much space and you risk over-spending precious
dollars that could be better used elsewhere. Lease too little and you
may have moving expenses far sooner than you would like (provided
your staff continues to grow). Avoid both tendencies by partnering
with an architectural design firm upfront – someone who knows the
right questions to ask and can save you significant time and hassle. Of
course, a large part of efficiency has nothing to do with square footage
and everything to do with design. A qualified designer can advise you
on how to make the most out of every inch. Meaning, if you’ve been
begrudgingly thinking you have to move, there may be some innovative,
space-maximizing solutions you just haven’t thought of.
OVERUSED OR UNDERUSED SPACE
LACKLUSTER MORALE & WELLNESS
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