As many workplaces transition away from in-person full-time schedules, most employees are going to the office less and less. When employees are in the office, they expect to be able to connect and collaborate with colleagues in an efficient manner. If your office space isn’t set up to foster this experience, it could negatively affect your team’s efficiency – and morale. This blog will walk you through the different ways your space can foster a company culture of interconnectedness and collaboration.
Consider the Objective
The purpose of the corporate office has changed in recent years, so naturally, your organization’s objectives for having employees in the office should be different. The key to having a healthy workplace culture during this transition is to ensure that this goal is communicated to your employees so that they understand and feel the value that the “face time” being in the office brings. This open communication will foster a healthier work culture in the long run. So what should this new workplace look like?
Your workplace now needs to be dynamic and offer your employees added resources that they don’t have access to at home. This dynamic workplace is warm and inviting but also has space that allows employees to be highly focused and productive or collaborate with both colleagues and clients. This balance is a delicate one but is also the ultimate goal for creating a modern workplace. Once your workplace achieves this balance, you’re sure to see an improvement in your employees – not only in their demeanor. After all, research has shown a large link between employees’ happiness and their productivity.
Consider the Opposite
If you’re still not fully convinced that your office space affects your culture, consider the opposite scenario. In an old-school-style office, the massive personal offices created a feeling of confinement, and lack of flexibility meant that employees struggled to find areas to collaborate. A prime example of this fact is the opulent mahogany board rooms of this era which did not lend themselves to being easily upgraded from a technology perspective. Even today, some of these rooms still feature VGA projectors as their most high-tech offering. For employees that need to collaborate and feel inspired, these places offer little value. The private structure makes it difficult for employees to gather – or to even ask for help.
This example shows how the space your team works in can impact how employees do their work – and even how they feel when doing their work. A content and productive workforce start with a warm and productive workspace.
Make it Happen
Have you noticed aspects of your workplace culture that need to change? Changing how your space is set up may be the first step toward improving both the space and the company culture. If you’re looking to revamp your space into a more dynamic space, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Privacy is still important – even in a more collaborative organization. Things like soundproofing and smaller areas – “phone booths” – to be alone in will go a long way in ensuring meetings aren’t interrupted and protecting sensitive information. And a bonus here is that introverted employees will have a place to be alone throughout the workday.
Encourage your team to collaborate – but make sure it’s easy. Huddle rooms should have a plug-in or wireless options that allow simple access to collaboration tools like presentation boards, conference calls, etc. Make sure these controls are intuitive enough that every team member can access these tech tools easily.
Your conference rooms should also allow for easy setup and integration of any remote participants. The same tech that you utilize in your huddle rooms can also be used here as well as your team will already be used to that technology. Not sure how or where to get started on refreshing your office setup? Reach out to an AV-Tech Media Solutions expert. We Got You.
