News

How the Workplace Can Help

In a global, interconnected world with a changing workforce and new expectations on the part of management and staff, the workplace is poised for dramatic change. In offices everywhere, many individual workspaces are empty, either through reduced head-count, increased worker mobility, or near constant collaboration.

It occurred the need for real estate executives  to rethink how they use office space in terms of:

• real estate optimization
• supporting collaboration
• using space to attract and engage workers
• reinforcing company culture and brand through the workplace
• supporting employee wellbeing

Nowadays, the range of worksettings has common themes:

Smaller: Workstation footprints are shrinking. Fortunately, smaller, portable technology takes less space, and many organizations are implementing or encouraging paperless offices. Physical storage space is correspondingly reduced as employees keep documents electronically.

Shared: Fewer people work at an assigned desk each day. More workers are choosing from a pool of unassigned workspaces. Even private offices are being shared by workers, or used by coworkers when the owner is out.

Collaborative: The reduction in workstation footprints along with the increase in group work requires a range of collaborative spaces for two or more people. Ideally they are adjacent to workstations. A mix of reservable spaces and impromptu spaces support scheduled meetings and quick collaborations. Cafés and small kitchen areas in offices are another form of collaborative space for small groups and  offer a  place that’s diverting and energizing.

Dispersed: Many workers opt for a coffee shop, library, or other third place and  an office-away-from-the-office has a certain allure.

Where goes the office?

Now that the office is becoming a globally interconnected workplace and work can happen in virtual space, some see the need for a physical office space expiring. Yet proximity to others is key to knowledge work. Personal communication, collaboration, and group work are fundamental to innovation, and that all happens in personal workspace. The physical environment provides a place to study, explore ideas, and create new ones. It gives us the space and tools and, most important, the people with whom we work, think, and build. It also brings people together to build organizations. Rubbing shoulders breaks down barriers and cultural differences. As work becomes busier and virtually inseparable from the rest of our lives, our offices have a greater impact on our wellbeing as individuals and as organizations.

Leaders can’t lead via text message. Colleagues don’t bond via email. To build a business community, there’s nothing like a great space.

Author: Daniel Krška, Market Manager for the Czech Republic, Steelcase, www.steelcase.eu