Your next office guide

Over the last few years, change has become the only constant. Today, we are constantly rethinking the way we live and even work. So, it comes as no surprise that businesses too are changing.

Organisations are rethinking the way they operate. They are looking for means to anticipate and adapt to new trends and developments in the workplace. Be it a shift towards more flexible, collaborative, and digital work environments, or an increased focus on employee well-being and work-life balance, most organisations today have understood that adapting to these changes keeps them well-positioned to succeed in the future.

As a result, in these evolving work dynamics, office spaces too have come under scrutiny. Hybrid and remote work have become more commonplace, making companies look at office space with a completely different perspective. Rather than a necessity, office spaces are now seen as an asset that can be used to foster collaboration and creativity among employees.

So, what strategies does one consider when creating a workspace that’s future ready?

Most future-ready workplaces will involve some level of flexibility. However, that can vary basis the business. The following strategies work best if hybrid is your way of working:

Finding the right office space

When it comes to setting up a new office, the first debate that arises is where to set up the new space.

The location of the office can not only impact your company’s financial performance, but also can influence how your brand is perceived, company culture and availability of talent.

With new infrastructure, the gap between urban and suburban has considerably reduced making many areas within a city the epicentre of different kinds of businesses. Do check which area in the city may be best suited for your business.

To get started, here’s a quick search of office spaces in your city

Buying vs leasing an office space – The eternal debate

The most common question that arises when it comes to a new office is owning the space versus leasing it. While both come with their own advantages and disadvantages, it is necessary to consider all the factors that could affect your employees, productivity, and growth. Here are some benefits of how leasing may seem a better choice when it comes to office space.

What does designing an office in the new normal entail?

The way we work has undergone significant changes in recent years, and this has resulted in new workplace preferences. Companies are now adapting to these preferences by making changes to their offices to improve employee satisfaction and productivity.

Designing an office space can have a significant impact on employee productivity and morale. The layout and design of an office can affect how employees interact with one another, how they collaborate, and how they feel about their work environment.

Some factors that need to be considered when designing an office, include:

Flexible Work Hours

Many companies are now accommodating flexible work hours in their offices. This includes implementing a flextime policy. With a flextime policy, employees work within a certain range of hours, by choosing when they start and end their day. This allows employees to work when they are most productive and to manage their work-life balance more effectively.

Flexible Workspaces

To accommodate flex work hours, flexible workspaces have also become popular. Here, employees are provided open workstations where they can sit and work with their colleagues. For confidential conversations, private meeting rooms are also made available.

Remote Work

There are many organisations that are allowing their employees to work from home on a regular basis. For the ones who prefer to come to office, there are private or designated areas with comfortable seating and high-speed internet. These remote workspaces provide employees with a change of scenery and the opportunity to work in a quieter environment if needed.

Collaborative Spaces

For companies that need their employees to innovate together as a team, collaborative spaces seem like the ideal choice. These spaces are typically open and accessible to all employees.

Health and Wellness

Employee wellness has become increasingly important in the workplace. Companies can accommodate this preference by providing amenities like on-site gyms, healthy food options, and wellness programs. They can also design their offices to promote health and wellness. This can include incorporating natural light, providing ergonomic seating and workstations, and implementing policies that encourage regular breaks and physical activity.

Personalisation

For a company to succeed it is very important for all employees to feel involved in the organisation’s success. These days, companies by providing employees with the freedom to decorate their workstations as they see fit. Employees are encouraged to bring in personal items, such as photographs or plants, to create a more personalised workspace. Employees can also be offered a variety of furniture options, like standing desks, ergonomic chairs, and adjustable lighting to meet their individual needs and preferences.

Technology

Technology and adapting the latest innovation quickly have become extremely essential in the modern workplace. With flexible working, most employees are now provided with several devices to work from. This can include laptops, tablets, and smartphones. To complement this and support hybrid working, high-speed internet, video conferencing software, and collaboration tools have also become a common requirement.

In addition to these, incorporating greenery, using colour psychology to create a calming environment, and providing amenities such as showers or bike racks to encourage a healthy lifestyle can also be considered part of designing your office.

While most organisations have already welcomed most of their employees back to the office, there have been varying way in which they have adapted to the ‘new ways of working’. To define your company’s operations. it’s important to remember that every organisation is different and there’s not one single path you can take to finding your new normal.

The most important steps when planning your office is to understand your company’s vision and future goals, and what your employees and clients expect from you to be productive and successful. The ideal office space is one that will blend both these requirements to deliver growth in the long term.

If you are looking for more suggestions on the future of work or how you can strategise for your new office, do take a look at this guide. It offers insights into some of the most critical questions, including:

• What’s the best workplace strategy for my company?

• What should my workplace look like now?

• Where should my company locate its operations?

• What tools does my company need to succeed?

• What should I be doing right now to get started?

Download it to get suggestions and tips on what may work best for you.