The world of business is always changing and has been for centuries. With each new modification, companies have adapted to meet it, whether it be in adopting new technologies, adjusting employee acquisition models, or how to better serve the customer and their needs. Most recently, we have seen changes in determining effective leadership styles, implementing digital marketing platforms, and providing work from home policies. As 2017 continues, businesses can expect to see even more changes and trends emerge that assist them in growing their bottom line while creating an inclusive company culture. One of the latest trends, however, is in office design and it doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon. Here’s why.
Office Design
The office is the hub of your business. It is the place where meetings are held, customers receive impeccable service, and the majority of the work is completed. With the rise in the number of employees looking for flexibility in their current workplace settings, office design has become more about creating an overall positive experience for teams. This has changed dramatically from the previous belief where offices were only about providing a small space where people could put in their required time without engaging with other team members unless the task required it.
Over the years, however, studies have shown that the design of an office space can significantly affect the productivity of a team and the overall success of a company. Needless to say, small cubicles are no longer efficient in helping employees complete their best work. Instead, businesses are learning about the benefits of creating a space that encourages communication, individualism and that contributes to the overall atmosphere of the office. Companies are achieving this through redesigning the layout of the office, breaking down barriers, removing cubicles, integrating colour, and allowing team members to have a say in how the space should function.
A Home Away From Home
The average person spends roughly two thousand hours a year, working. With more and more people putting in over the recommended 40-hour work week, many are finding that they devote more time to work than to other activities. This is important to consider when redesigning your office space, as employees need to be given the opportunity to provide feedback on how the office should function and how they can personalize the space to fit their needs.
As employees spend more time at work, productivity can decrease, causing them to have to devote more time at the office; creating a vicious circle. When productivity begins to wane, it is time to not only look at the individual's workload but also the time spent at the office and how this is affecting their performance.
To combat a decrease in productivity businesses have taken advantage of the use of colour. Colour theorists suggest that certain colours can have an impact on a persons mood and brain function. By allowing natural light to enter into the space and incorporating specific colours such as green or yellow, employees feel more energized, productive, creative and happier while working.
Our Approach to Office Design
At TRAFFIX, we have always been passionate about creating a space that benefits both our team members and our company. We have been implementing an open office forum in our TRAFFIX operations department since 1981. What started as two desks placed side by side, grew into a large circle of eight desks, placed strategically to allow for our team to collaborate and solve logistical challenges. As we grew and prospered, however, we decided to purchase office furniture that was more functional, and that allowed us to create a better atmosphere in our workspace.
Now, through identifying the needs of those working in each department, we aim to provide each team with what they need to complete their tasks quickly and efficiently while enjoying their time at work. From private offices to integrating bright colours, music, and an open office concept, every team can benefit from their surroundings and work off of them, instead of trying to fit within a space that is void of personality or flexibility.
Office design is very much a part of our business and one that we take very seriously. We believe that if team members spend two thousand hours at work each year, they should enjoy the space that they are working in.
Office design is more than just organizing a space to fit the needs of the company. It is about creating an inclusive atmosphere that benefits team members, as your team is crucial to the success of your business. Large corporations such as Apple, Google and Microsoft have been emerging as trend setters in employee- focused office design for years, but it is time that smaller companies join this trend as well.
