Category: Office Space

Categories
Office Space

6 Tips for Balancing Work and Family at Home

Balancing work and family in the same space has become the new normal. But if you’re seeking tips on how to manage the two in the best possible way, then read below for some helpful details.

 

Research indicates that remote working is not only a great way for companies to save space and reduce costs, but it tends to improve worker productivity. However, this is may be due to an added caveat: many employees who work remotely tend to work longer hours, as well as odd hours. This hints at the darker side of remote working, which is that it’s incredibly difficult to manage one’s time properly without outside structure.

 

However, this problem can be addressed by imposing some structure of your own. Remote workers can be just as productive or even more productive than their in-office counterparts and maintain their productivity over time. It will take some planning and a lot of proper time management.

 

By balancing work and family at home, remote workers can learn to have the best of both worlds, remaining productive while spending time with their loved ones and making a little time for themselves. Otherwise, the benefits of remote working can be cut short by an increased risk of burnout and overall stress.

 

1. Set Real Boundaries

 

As hard as it may be, it’s important to consistently and clearly distinguish between work and home – even when both take place within the same four walls. Set aside a room, a corner, a desk, or anything you can to designate “the office.” Set a schedule where you should not be disturbed.

 

With kids in the house, this can be very difficult. If you live with a partner or a spouse, coordinate with them to find the best three to four-hour window for you to get most of your concentrated work done, so the rest can get done intermittently between breaks. Put up a sign or lock the door or use headphones to put yourself in a different space.

 

Both physical and temporal boundaries are important for your mind to distinguish between work and home living. To that end, it’s also important to be away from work when you’re done with work. Stop checking emails or responding to messages after a set time and be sure your clients and/or employers know exactly when that time is. If needed, you can make exceptions for emergencies, but it’s important to discuss and properly define an “emergency.”

 

It might not seem like a big deal to be aware of what kind of communication you’re receiving from work while not technically working, but whenever you respond to an email or go over a coworker’s comment you are in fact “at work.” And being at work constantly is a detriment to your work-life balance.

2. Create a To-Do List

 

When at work, you’ll want to get as much done as possible. To eliminate the guilty feeling that accompanies being distracted and stuck on tasks while working from home, you need to set up a step-by-step process for each daily task and work through your responsibilities incrementally.

 

To-do lists are helpful here, as they let you quickly plan out the goals for the day, allot time for each step, and execute it without having to go over what you’ve done and what you need to do every hour or so. This will also help you jump right back into work if you’re in an environment with a lot of distractions or forced breaks, like home. You’re not always going to get your three hours of peace and silence – but if and when you do, a to-do list can help you capitalize on that time.

 

3. Start Work Very Early (or Very Late) 

 

If your sleeping schedule is inherently flawed nowadays, you might as well take advantage of that fact and figure out a good way to capitalize on the time you’re spending awake while everyone else is asleep.

 

Either pick the graveyard shift or wake up much earlier to get started with work while everyone else is still asleep. This way you can knock most of your tasks off your to-do list early on in the work day, then get to the tasks that don’t require quite as much focus throughout the rest of the work day, as everyone else is waking up.

 

 

However, don’t underestimate good sleep. A good night’s sleep is absolutely critical for mental performance, and research shows us time and time again how underrated sleep can be, and how even a little bit of restlessness can cost us cognitively.

 

If you’re waking up early to get an extra hour or two of quiet time in before everyone else is getting up, make sure you can get organized to go to bed an hour or two ahead of everyone else as well. This is easier said than done, and you will need some support from the rest of the family depending on how everyone’s household tasks are divided.

 

4. Elicit Help for Chores 

 

When working from home, one of the tougher challenges is juggling work life with the need to keep the home clean and tidy. If you and your partner are both working from home, the logical answer is to split the housework, doing a little more or a little less depending on which one of you is busier. Some weeks, the workload is heftier than other weeks. Some days, a work task might take priority and require a little overtime. Remaining flexible for any variation in schedule is important here, so don’t get too stuck on who’s job it is to do what.

 

If you have kids, find age-appropriate chores for them to complete. Young children can learn to practice cleaning up after themselves, fold clothes, bring used clothes to the hamper, and organize their rooms. Older kids can do laundry and the dishes, keep the floors and windows clean, and help in other ways.

 

5. Find an Effective & Healthy Way to Wind Down 

 

The “quarantini” has become a trend for a reason, but don’t get too attached to coping styles of that sort. They’re called “maladaptive” coping mechanisms for a reason. Finding a form of “me time” that helps you relax and is good for you can be somewhat of a challenge but is important when working from home.

 

It can be anything therapeutic from working with your hands (a little baking or stitching) to working with your mind (sudoku, puzzle games, online video games), or letting off some steam (yoga, boxing, exercise).

 

Pick a handful of simple half-an-hour to one hour-long activities that you can rely on to cap a day off, either after work or after spending time with your family and make them a priority. It might seem selfish to spend time solely for yourself when there is probably plenty else to do, but you need some way of staying sane.

6. It’s Okay Not to Be as Productive 

 

Given the context and the news around the world, as well as the sudden and abrupt shift to remote working for many, these are still extraordinary circumstances.

 

As we inevitably shift more towards a remote work environment and the continuing growth of the work-from-anywhere trend, it will be important to get used to circumstances such as these and manage an effective rhythm from home.

 

But for now, cut yourself some slack. It’s okay to take a little time to adjust and figure out the best way to organize yourself in chaotic times like these.

 

Categories
Office Space

How Corporate Coworking Is Improving and Shaping Culture

Coworking spaces come with a lot of benefits such as better productivity. Read below for more on how corporate coworking continues to impact a company’s culture.

 

Recent history has had many contemplating the future of coworking itself, amid fears that high-profile failures and worrying headlines will throw shade on the entire industry. But there’s no need to worry because coworking is definitely here to stay.

 

More than just a fad or an experiment, coworking’s rapid 600 percent growth over the last decade is indicative of a growing thirst for flexible office space, and a move away from the traditional office towards something different. That something better promotes productivity among a workforce that has become increasingly remote.

 

Why Coworking Is Still Growing

For many companies, coworking space is fast, flexible, and disposable. Companies thrive on the fact that they can avoid the commitment and overhead of a brand-new office space by buying into space that is already maintained, organized, and provided with loads of important amenities. Meanwhile, they can continue to invest in their own growth and the success of their product or service, until they mature into an organization in need of its own space.

 

Yet even this traditional view of coworking as a transitory workplace for smaller companies and entrepreneurs looking to cut costs and “make it” is only one small view into the service that coworking spaces offer. Coworking spaces can market themselves to larger and established corporations as a unique type of office space to help remote workers and smaller satellite offices share a collective company culture. This is absent among many workers who, for any number of reasons, are choosing to work remotely.

 

Even larger companies enjoy not having to invest in long-term leases and outfitting new spaces when they can rely on local coworking spots to help provide a short-term main office for their sales force, representatives, or the beginnings of a growing present in a regional market.

 

Representing a Growing Need

The demand exists. And it will continue to grow. Companies both large and small are no strangers to the benefits of a globalized workforce and are quickly continuing to staff talent from all four corners of the globe.

 

But for many freelancers and remote workers who find themselves corresponding with team members across the planet, Slack group chats and the occasional physical meeting at company HQ isn’t enough to really create a sense of belonging, or feel motivated to work effectively at all times. The biggest problem that remote workers report by far is loneliness.

 

Coworking becomes an excellent alternative to working from the main office itself, especially when that becomes prohibitively expensive for foreign or distant workers.

 

Many remote workers and freelancers are enjoying the look and feel of the coworking space, as well, which combines the coziness of a café or inviting home with the buzz and productivity of a busy office space. But more than just a certain aesthetic, coworking spaces are quickly taking advantage of something very important to many workers: culture.

 

Coworking is Transforming Corporate Culture

People assume that culture is yet another corporate buzzword, one meant to evoke images of camaraderie and productivity at work. But work culture is more than just another word for an office’s mood. A company’s culture is an amalgamation of its core mission and values, of the policies it defends and promotes, of its management and their personalities, and of the people it hires.

 

While there are a few metrics to codify what any given company’s culture might be, you can pick any host of characteristics and describe it as part of the company’s culture. This is a representation of who they are when they’re working on supplying their customers or clients with the products or services they specialize in.

 

Coworking, then, presents a unique challenge to many companies because it understandably can cause culture clashes. The better coworking spaces have their own cultures, yet these may clash with the cultures of the companies or teams that work in them. This in turn might alienate single workers who aren’t part of a greater organization. Or remote workers who feel left out, unable to experience their employer’s work culture.

 

 

The Corporate Coworking Impact

Solving the culture question is an important part of making coworking work. And thankfully, coworking seems to be having a positive impact on company culture when handled properly. Rather than negatively challenging a company’s culture, coworking can positively challenge it – putting it to the test by bringing it out into the open among other cultures.

 

Coworking spaces that host a large number of different groups and solo ventures specifically go out of their way to create a culture that harmonizes, and encourages other businesses to play nice with one another. This minimizes characteristics that interrupt other people’s work, while promoting characteristics that lead to greater opportunities within coworking spaces. This includes a healthy balance of adaptability and conscientiousness, collaboration, inclusivity, self-efficiency, and effective or blunt communication.

 

Coworking is a Litmus Test for Company Culture

Company cultures have the opportunity to prune themselves and weed out the qualities that make them isolating, uninviting, or toxic. This is done byy learning to coexist with others within a coworking space. Young companies in particular can thrive by growing alongside other companies in a coworking space.

 

The challenge here, however, is to still be able to retain an individual identity as a company separate of the group. Companies that have a culture that is far too strong will typically not mesh well in many coworking spaces. But they will have trouble finding candidates and talents that feel comfortable within their unique culture.

 

Meanwhile, companies with a more open culture will enjoy the flexible nature of the coworking space. Though, it will be hard to feel proud of one’s company when it simply feels too “samey”.

 

It’s up to the management of a company to determine what they want their culture to be. What sets them apart among a sea of hardworking enterprises, each trying to carve out their own space in their respective niches. It also allows companies to hone in on their truly defining characteristics.

 

Company Culture for Remote Workers 

Remote workers have a hard time getting a feel for the culture of their company, especially when they’re working solo and apart from a larger team in a different, inaccessible location. While coworking spaces provide a respite from the isolating nature of working from home, it’s still a far cry from being able to get a sense of what your employers are like at the office.

 

Coworking spaces can serve as proxy work cultures for such remote workers, giving them a different family to belong to while still working with their coworkers abroad or elsewhere.

 

Conclusion

Because coworking spaces bring company cultures together in a way never previously tested, many companies and groups find themselves immediately trying to distill their unique culture into something concrete they can hold onto to differentiate themselves from the rest. This then leads to greater unity, a sense of pride for one’s work, and a continued appreciation for the company as well as the others within the same space.

 

Categories
Office Space

What Is Flex Space and Is It Right for Your Business?

There has been common phrase circulating through business these days: flex space. But what is flex space, and is it a good option for your business?

 

The rise of the coworking space has heavily disrupted the commercial real estate industry, and woken many property owners up to the fact that many startups and small-to-medium enterprises are beginning to seek shorter, low-commitment leases rather than traditional several-year-long leases for office space and commercial purposes.

 

While this scares some commercial property owners, it’s been a boon to other office rental companies, which represent a fast-growing global sector of the commercial real estate market, with growth expected in every corner of the world as businesses continue to spring up and seek space to operate for a few weeks or months at a time.

 

Meanwhile the number of remote workers worldwide continues to expand, and many established businesses are beginning to turn to coworking spaces as an alternative to seeking out new office space in an area where they only need a temporary setup for a major deal or transaction.

 

Current Trends in Office Space

However, where do companies go once they’ve graduated past the needs of a coworking space, but aren’t ready to fully commit to a traditional office space of their own? What options do they have if they need both a managerial office and access to tons of industrial-level storage, as many startups do? Where should they go if they don’t want to move into an industrial lot far from the city center?

 

Enter the flex space, a commercial real estate solution that has provided many companies with a useful in-between for two decades.

 

What is a Flex Space? 

While you might think it is ‘flexible’ space, its name is something of a double-meaning, as it actually refers to the ability to ‘flex’ into different parts of a larger property – typically a large, industrial, warehouse-style commercial property with a built-to-spec office space, and a shorter lease than traditional offices (three months to a year, in many cases).

 

Flex spaces provide the space for companies to have both manufacturing and management in one area, while staying flexible enough to allow quick and cost-effective remodeling once a company moves on or moves out.

 

This allows owners to worry less about the potential issues caused by a shorter lease, while offering greater flexibility than traditional office spaces (which are much harder and much more expensive to remodel), all while giving companies the space to create their own look, feel, and culture, without the restrictions that typically apply in coworking spaces.

 

However, because flex spaces are generally barebones, they do have their fair share of disadvantages as well. They’re typically low on amenities, and are usually on the ground level, which may pose a security threat to some companies.

How are Flex Spaces Different from an Open Plan? 

Flex spaces offer different modular portions of a larger space. Rather than renting the entire office space with a long-term contract and a set floor plan that’s only minimally customizable (or would cost much to change around), they prioritize helping companies set up a workspace they can call their own for a shorter period of time, within a flexible amount of space within a larger, industrial-style building (a warehouse, usually).

 

This space can be divided into suites, and companies can choose how much of the space they need for how long. More than just a different office layout or floor plan, a flex space is an entirely different commercial real estate business model.

 

Who Uses This Type of Space?

Through a flex space, the company would be doing away with the established and the traditional, and providing a space that can regularly change and adapt to its various tenants, featuring space for basic amenities and functionality while keeping the work areas versatile and modular, with the option to remodel or change the space whenever needed.

 

Flex spaces are often a great fit for companies that need storage space to manage and house their production and distribution of goods. It can be setup to provide shared room for more than one company with similar setups, by providing shared manufacturing space for small-scale manufacturing companies, a setup that is growing and becoming more popular.

 

What’s the Difference Between Flex Space and Coworking?

Coworking spaces are traditionally successful for companies that don’t need that storage space to do their work to begin with, or for remote workers looking for a space to work in temporarily, or for large companies to utilize across the globe for smaller teams. Even more interesting is the prospect of the remote company – a company that exists almost entirely in digital space, composed 100 percent of remote workers.

Categories
Office Space

6 Types of Coworking Members to Know

Coworking businesses are experiencing a huge and promising boom – and as we move well into 2020, that boom shows no sign of slowing. As someone operating their business out of a shared space, what types of coworking members will you work next to?

 

Millions of people across the globe are congregating at coworking spaces, seeking other professionals to network with, trying to overcome the boredom and isolation of working from home, or trying to save on the massive costs and overhead of setting up a small office in a big international metropolis.

 

Some are simply chasing the trend, interested in what a shared space might have to offer over working from coffee shops or from the comfort of one’s own sofa. However, just as many coworking spaces are thriving, some are not. Some of that has to do with an increasing growth in competition.

 

Because these spaces have a wide variety of businesses, entrepreneurs, satellite offices and more, it may be confusing what to expect as a customer. What kind of coworking members will you work alongside in your office space? The answer is quite complex.

 

What is the Average Coworker?

 

Coworking members are extremely varied, yet the most significant common factor in all tenants is independence. People who work in coworking spaces are less likely to already spend a significant amount of their time in an office.

 

In other words, freelancers – in all their forms – will often make up the majority of coworking customers. But they certainly aren’t alone. Remote workers, startup teams, entrepreneurs, and smaller satellite teams from larger companies are some of the other people who typically seek out shared spaces as an alternative to expensive and long-term leases in big cities.

 

The average coworking space customer is:

 

      • 39 years old, and only a fraction (7 percent) are younger than 30.
      • People who work in coworking spaces are evenly split between male and female.
      • Many different professions utilize coworking – from graphic design to web development, software engineering, copywriting, management, and more.

 

A large portion of the people who work from flexible spaces subsist at least partially on what is currently known as the ‘gig economy’. They need a workplace that shares many of the qualities that their own work does: flexibility, transience, and mutual benefit.

 

As the gig economy continues to grow and is expected to account for over 40 percent of the US’ workforce by this year, this will likely be mirrored in the soaring growth that coworking itself is enjoying.

 

 

What Are the Common Types of Coworking Members?

 

These shared spaces consist of many types of coworking members. Some of the people expected to work in shared office spaces include:

 

Independent Workers:

 

These include any and all freelance and self-employed professionals who are not tied to a single client or company, and instead seek work while marketing themselves and their services as individuals. They do not represent a group or team, although they might work in several teams, and typically do not enter long-term contracts.

 

Startups:

 

Plenty of startups in larger, more expensive cities may opt to work out of co-working spaces in the first few months to avoid the costs of leasing an office. Because startups have a good chance of imploding early on, there is additional risk in leasing an office for a year or more. Flexible spaces provide the perfect alternative for these new companies. Similarly, these spaces are excellent for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).

 

Remote Workers:

 

Remote workers may be employees in startups, SMEs, or larger corporations who do not have a set workspace, either voluntarily or as per their employer. Some companies have flexible workspace policies, allowing employees to work from the office, from home, or from anywhere else. Remote workers may relish a coworking space as an alternative to their main office or home, and as a more productive alternative to the local coffeeshop.

 

Entrepreneurs:

 

Entrepreneurs often enjoy working from coworking spaces because it allows them to meet with different professionals, network, and continue to work on their own projects while exploring new opportunities.

 

Part-time Workers:

 

Unlike remote workers who are full-time workers and freelancers who aren’t working for an individual via contract, part-time workers may work several jobs, one of which may be remote. Shared office spaces provide an alternative space to home if home isn’t an option due to poor internet connectivity, space issues, or distractions.

 

Satellite Teams:

 

Coworking spaces are increasingly becoming home to smaller satellite teams from larger companies and enterprises seeking to take advantage of the lower overhead and cost of setting up a team in a city where they may have an interest in better serving their customers.

 

From huge corporations to smaller, yet still sizeable multi-national companies, many different coworking members have an interest in using such spaces to save on costs and provide their mobile teams with a productive environment to do their work. Different companies have also recognized the collaborative worth of the shared spaces, understanding that there’s more to a coworking space than what meets the eye.

 

 

Creating the Right Space for You

 

As a business sharing space with others, there’s going to have to be a little give-and-take. You can meet people halfway and, as much as possible, create an environment that is inviting to you. That means avoiding harsh or contrasting themes, or strong or overly bold design choices. Luckily, the space is often furnished and has all the amenities you will need. The coworking office will often come with:

 

      • Large open common areas
      • A healthy variety of amenities
      • Several private rooms for meetings or sensitive work
      • Fast Internet
      • Quality cooling and heating
      • A meticulous focus on keeping things clean and pleasant

 

Often, the space will also provide different price plans for different groups of professionals, with various perks and levels with options for both an open space and the option for a private nook when a task calls for total concentration.

 

Should You Look Into Flexible Office Space?

 

If you find yourself in one of these categories, then flexible offices may be perfect for you and your team. There are many benefits to coworking that go further than just having a place to concentrate, work, and be productive.

 

Whether you are an individual freelancer, a management team, or a satellite office, contact us today to find the perfect office space for you.

 

Categories
Office Space

Does Teleworking Increase Productivity?

More people are teleworking more than ever, yet contrary to what most might think, working from home or in a creative office is not a compromise but a boon to productivity.

 

The data shows, time and time again, that giving employees space and allowing them to work wherever they choose to (often at home) can lead to:

 

 

There are several potential reasons why telecommuting can have serious benefits for a worker’s productivity, many of them tying into time management and the distractions of a busy office environment.

 

While it seems like an employee’s dream to be able to make a living and earn a steady income in one’s pajamas, and an employer’s nightmare to try and imagine their employees spending most of their work time not with the team, the general truth of it all is that remote workers are less likely to be interrupted, and more likely to get work done while on their own and at a place where they feel inspired.

What is Teleworking?

Telecommuting is when employees work for a company, but they do so remotely. In this day and age, there are many places a person may work rather than their employers’ office. They may work from home, in a coworking space, a local coffeeshop, or anywhere else.

 

As just one example, a 2-year Stanford experiment involving 500 employees at one of China’s biggest travel agencies showed that teleworking generally:

 

      • Boosted productivity
      • Led to fewer sick days
      • Amounted to over a full day’s worth of extra work done

 

Despite fears that teleworking might affect their ability to work, it seemed that overall, a net gain in productivity was seen – not to mention saved expenses on office space, commute, company lunch, and a lower carbon footprint in the company’s name due to a cut commute.

1. Short Commute, Less Stress

The commute to and from work is one of the biggest reasons workers wish to work remotely. A sizeable percentage of people surveyed have explained that they would give up several different privileges in order to avoid their commute, and many have stated they would agree to a 10 percent pay cut if they could work closer to home. They claim the expenses of getting to the office, preparing or buying meals, and getting back home outweigh that 10 percent, in terms of time and money lost.

 

People hate the commute and depending on where your companies are situated and where most of your employees live, that commute can take anywhere from 20 minutes a day to over an hour to, and over and hour from. Census data shows that American workers in congested cities spend over 500 days of their lives getting to work and going back home – that’s nearly two years of a person’s lifespan dedicated to just transitioning from home to the office, and back.

 

By completely eliminating that commute, you not only give your employees several hours of their lives back, but you also give them the opportunity to turn those hours into a much more productive time at work.

 

Instead of showing up at the office at 9am and clocking in after a quick coffee and playing catch-up, your remote workers are likely at their desks and caffeinated by 8am, or even earlier. Homes are typically smaller than large offices, so it takes less time for them overall to get around, take bathroom breaks, brew up a fresh pot, etc.

2. Remote Workers Take More (Short) Breaks

Remote workers tend to take more breaks, but take shorter breaks – which, as other research has suggested multiple times, is actually a boon to productivity and allows workers to more effectively recharge their batteries and prepare for new challenges ahead. Instead of long breaks that completely take one out of the proper mindset for work, teleworkers can inadvertently boost their productivity by working hard – for about an hour or so, before taking a short break. Followed, of course, by more work.

 

Remote workers are not the only ones thriving this way, and short, frequent breaks are the hallmark of a more productive employee (provided that the time they spend working between their breaks is spent exclusively working, that means no distractions, no social media, no conversations with friends or coworkers).

 

Frequent breaks don’t mean frequent dips in productivity, especially if they’re used to recharge after a longer period of time spent entirely focused on the task at hand.

3. Working Where They Choose Offers Less Distraction

This might seem strange, but despite less oversight, working from home, or another location of their choice, actually offers fewer distractions than working in an office. At home, particularly in a private room like a study or a home office, workers are completely free from any and all inadvertent interruptions and distractions.

 

They can still distract themselves – and admittedly, many do – but working from home eliminates being distracted by rowdy office behavior, a sudden interruption from a coworker, or anything else that might break concentration and pull one out of one’s work.

4. Teleworkers Can Still Interact and Cooperate

One of the worries of recommending more workers to work remotely is that it would lower employee engagement and lead to more employees feeling distant from the company. While this may be true for employees who are totally isolated from their company, most teleworkers are not.

 

Those teleworking still check in with their employer, attend meetings through conference call, and thanks to modern teleconferencing technology, it’s easier and cheaper than ever to call face-to-face. Remote workers should nonetheless be encouraged to stop by the office every now and again, and many do.

5. A Millennial and Gen Z Attitude 

Expectations are different among younger and older generations when it comes to workplace flexibility. As millennials currently occupy the largest demographic in the workforce, with Gen Zers being their immediate successors, it’s important for companies to recognize that many have grown accustomed to having telecommuting as an option, and recognize both the personal benefits and productivity benefits of being able to work from home – or anywhere, for that matter.

The Cons of Teleworking

Yes, teleworking is not for everyone. Some people need the structure and camaraderie of an office and working from home simply makes them miserable. However, there’s more to remote working than just working from home.

 

In fact, a study by the Harvard Business School showed that, instead of simply working from home, allowing employees to work from anywhere at all led to an even greater rise in productivity, and helped them address issues that began to crop up among people who exclusively worked at home (including feelings of isolation, and higher levels of anxiety than their peers).

 

More research would serve to better clarify the benefits of allowing teleworking and encouraging workers to work outside of the office and decide for themselves when and where to work, whether from the comfort of their own bed, to the local coffee shop, or an entrepreneurial co-working space.

Categories
Office Space

6 Ways to Stay Focused in A Rowdy Co-Working Space

Co-working spaces are unique settings where employees are struggling to find ways to stay focused, in freedom filled environment, which can be seen as lackadaisical cooperation.

 

There’s plenty to like about co-working spaces, but there’s also a lot to criticize. Depending on the shared working spot you work at, you’ll have a different list of pros and cons. A general thread between all co-working enthusiasts is that while it does plenty to help you appreciate the benefits of cooperative industry and professional socializing, it can be tough to work out of a flexible office space if you’re having a day where you need to focus entirely on the task at hand, and are struggling to find ways to stay focused in a rowdy shared office space.

 

It can be a nightmare roaming the office for a slightly quiet spot, trying to cancel out as much noise and behavior as possible, and making it clear to everyone around you that you really need some peace and quiet for about three hours. However, with a little bit of organization and a little more prosocial behavior, you’ll have no problem finding ways to stay focused in a rowdy work environment.

 

It’s All About Pros and Cons

Open offices, shared spaces, and co-working offices share a few general philosophies: people work best when they’re working together, and shoe box cubicles are not doing the professional world any good.

 

Overall, people in flexible spaces are far more productive than their counterparts. Even though it may seem that spending a large chunk of your day conversing with your teammates is opposite of being a productive team member, there’s plenty of research demonstrating that people generally work better in a co-working environment.

 

It’s all about embracing the pros, and working around the cons. If you’ve recently made the switch to a coworking environment, then you’ll need to accept some change.

 

Shared spaces can be very different from normal offices in their overall layout, as well as their size, and in the variety of the professionals who occupy them. If you’ve recently switched to a co-working space, reserve a couple weeks to get to know everyone, adjust, and embrace the benefits of having a little more intimacy with your coworkers.

 

Sure, they’re more likely to see what you’re doing on your screen – which means you’ll want to be more careful about how and where you browse – but by embracing that, you’ll have the opportunity to share a little bit about yourself, how you motivate yourself at work, what you do to get into the flow, and how your coworkers do it (and what each of you do with your downtime).

 

Take the time to ask others how they accomplish work. They might surprise you with useful insights on how to organize your work, their successful ways to stay focused, and reap the benefits of an open environment.

 

 

1. Lay the Foundation 

If you feel like the environment you are in isn’t conducive to productive work, just come out and say it.

 

Don’t be aggressive, speak it with a tone of genuine curiosity, and you’ll get some real answers. Others might even feel the same but weren’t ready to acknowledge it or bring it up. Or, consider asking your team leader to bring it up for you.

 

This isn’t meant to be a matter of laying down the law – it’s meant to invite discussion on the creation of  basic boundaries, a rule set allowing the group to mold the work environment into a place where everyone can get their work done, and still reap the benefits of a social co-working space.

 

2. Choose Noise-Canceling Earphones

No matter how much you talk it out with the others, your first goal shouldn’t be to create an environment of deafening silence.

 

That’s oppressive and does the opposite of what co-working achieves through an improved morale and camaraderie. A certain measure of volume is expected in a social setting, and just because you’ve got work ahead of you that requires pure focus doesn’t mean everyone else can’t enjoy their reprieve from focused work.

 

Because of those moments, it’s in your best interest to invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones or earphones (depending on which you prefer). Some offices instate an unspoken earphone rule: one bud in means you’re focused, but may be interrupted for something important, and two buds in means you’re not to be touched.

 

3. Find a Better Spot

If there’s more going around you than just an auditory distraction, then consider packing up and moving to another corner of the office.

 

Co-working spaces tend to be quite spacious, with several nooks and crannies for workers who require a little more peace and quiet time away from the common area. If every silent spot seems taken, move to a less rowdy spot.

 

4. Just Take a Break (Away from the Office)

Some days, your preferred space in the office is taken or it’s very distracting. That’s okay, it happens, and it gives you a good excuse to breathe a little new air and stretch your legs in a completely different location:

 

    • Head out to the local library,
    • Hit up a coffee shop, or
    • Go work from the park.

 

Taking a break away from the office might also help you breathe a little extra creativity into your work and gives you the freedom to choose where you want to concentrate.

 

 

5. Put Your Phone on Silent

In the day and age of the smartphone, people have become easily manipulated by their phones. Start to cut your phone out of your life by setting a strict rule every time you sit down to work on a task that requires concentration: no touching the phone until you’re done.

 

If the phone is important for something (like reviewing notes you’ve taken down at some other date), transfer that data over to your workstation/laptop. Alternatively, put your phone into airplane mode to avoid any and all calls, texts, messages, and notifications.

 

Every time your phone buzzes, you’re distracting yourself from work. If you decide to let it be, the urge to check your phone grows. Even if you’re just checking and not opening the notification, those few seconds away from your work only serve to disrupt your flow.

 

6. Take It Up with Management 

When all else fails, it’s time to take it up with management. If the office isn’t suited for concentrated work, speak to management of the co-working space. Inform them that you’ve tried everything to concentrate.

 

If they’ve heard similar complaints, they can take appropriate actions to help make the workplace a little more conducive towards focused work. But if you seem alone in this complaint, it might be a good opportunity to seek alternative work arrangements.

Categories
Office Space

3 Benefits of Co-Working Office Space For Entrepreneurs

There are 582 million entrepreneurs in the world; some of them work alongside others, some of them work independently. But one thing is consistent: the need for office space for entrepreneurs. Are co-working spaces the answer?

 

Coworking spaces exist for one major reason: there is a significant number of businesses and individuals who find that it is too expensive and often unreasonable to rent or own office space in some of the world’s largest and most central metropoles.

 

These individuals create room for a unique demand: space that they can rent on much shorter terms, with far less setup and overhead required. As we continue to forge ahead into a future that emphasizes a fast paced approach to everything, many startups and new entrepreneurs desperately need a space they can call their own within minutes.

 

The Benefits of Shared Office Space for Entrepreneurs

 

The traditional office isn’t dead, its era hasn’t passed – but it seems there’s room for more than just one type of space, and co-working office space for entrepreneurs is evidently here to stay.

 

Should you pay it any mind? If you hope to be successful, the answer is yes. Here are the 4 main reasons to consider co-working or flexible space as an entrepreneur.

 

1. Having Your Own Space Can Be Expensive

 

More and more businesses are cropping up globally today than ever, but fewer people are starting them (especially in the US). This tells us two things:

 

      • First, it’s easier today than ever to start a business.
      • Second, it’s easier than ever to have a business crash and burn.

 

Becoming an entrepreneur and launching a startup business carries with it a considerable amount of risk and requires a serious amount of committed capital. It’s important to know when and where to cut costs, and where to invest.

 

For startups, one of the biggest initial investments is in space. Startups need space to flourish – they need a place to grow, a place where people can come to work and deliver to their market. Co-working office spaces for entrepreneurs exists to fulfill a critical demand in a time of economic instability, especially among young entrepreneurs, who are much more likely to struggle with student debt and financial stability.

 

These shared, flexible spaces provide room for potential startups to flourish and innovate, rather than die much earlier on. But the fact that we are seeing more startups despite seeing fewer entrepreneurs also leads us back to that crucial second point: it’s easier than ever to crash and burn.

 

This means that entrepreneurs today cannot afford to make serious long-term decisions without a backup plan, and a way out. Coworking office spaces for entrepreneurs provide a little less stress  of a security deposit and the mandatory long-term lease – instead, startups today can rent space on a monthly basis, and cancel their membership whenever necessary.

 

A lower initial cost, and far less risk: these are things that are highly attractive to individuals who know that 9 out of 10 startups fail, and most successful entrepreneurs are the serial kind.

 

2. Why Not Work from Home?

 

Entrepreneurs are not just self-employed, but they’re monetizing an idea. They’re commanding a business, and in many cases, work with teams to get their idea off the ground and into the realm of reality – and onto the market. When organizing and running a business, it helps to have a team to physically interact with and oversee. A coworking space lends itself as the perfect initial spot for small startups to work without investing massively into office space.

 

However, not every startup needs an office. There are plenty of businesses that can operate just fine virtually, and many business models can survive and thrive with each individual member of the team telecommuting and working from home. That being said, there are substantial benefits to being an entrepreneur (or even a freelancer) at a coworking space, rather than restricting yourself to your own four walls.

 

For one, the co-working space can help you thrive. For many, it’s better to work with others than to be stuck at home alone. It can make you: more productive, help stave off the feeling that things aren’t moving in the direction you want them to and can even help you avoid loneliness.

 

Not everyone feels this way. There are plenty of freelancers who do much better simply working from home, where they can prioritize their work, manage their time more efficiently, avoid unnecessary costs and commute, and spend more time doing the things they want to do after hours, like exploring the city or grabbing a drink with friends. Which type are you?

 

3. Networking is Critical 

 

Coworking spaces provide a spot for more productivity, more innovation, and better chances at thriving. Why? Partially because it is a communal experience. Members of a shared workspace do not feel disconnected or disjointed but feel as though they are part of something greater, despite not being connected to a single company.

 

There is no hierarchy, no single boss or upper management for the whole office, and no one’s tasks are dictated by any one individual or committee. Instead, small groups and industrious individuals can coexist and work on separate projects, while sharing a space together, becoming colleagues and coworkers, and even exchanging information.

 

Networks are created organically, projects begin and come to fruition, and all this happens without a sense of internal politics or the friction of direct competition. Joining a coworking space specifically to seek out clients and business prospects is a no-no. But these networking connections can happen, and they’re a definite plus.

 

 

Should You Go for It?

 

Ultimately, there are many arguments for co-working office spaces for entrepreneurs – and some against one. It bears mentioning that there can be good reasons not to opt for such a space, including the fact that some businesses need the space to truly function, and for entrepreneurs working purely from home operating a much smaller, more virtual enterprise, it may be a good idea to cut the time and financial costs of showing up to a coworking space and just getting organized within your own four walls.

 

But for thousands of potential and current startups across the country, and hundreds of thousands of businesses, entrepreneurs, and freelancers around the world, these office spaces represent a godsend in a market that otherwise requires immense capital and serious financial commitment, potentially with unfavorable conditions, no equipment, poor amenities, and no utilities.

 

Conclusion

 

Flexible office spaces for entrepreneurs come with their own amenities, a unique work culture, an environment tailored towards productivity and cooperation, and the freedom to move from space to space without being made to settle on a single spot.

Categories
Office Space

Traditional Office vs. Shared Office: Which is Right for You?

When looking for office rental space, there are different options to choose from including traditional office space vs. shared, or co-working space. But, which one is right for you?

 

Shared offices (or coworking spaces) are growing at a rapid pace, filling an important niche that traditional office spaces can’t, and offering a service that is quite obviously in dire demand. The forecasted growth for coworking spaces appears to be huge, and there are plenty of other markets overseas where coworking has only just begun to catch on.

 

However, that doesn’t mean that the coworking model will replace the traditional private office. Rather, it’s important to recognize the two as very different, and both equally necessary. Yet when looking for a space to grow your own enterprise, it’s important to ask yourself to choose, and pick your best option. Whether that’s a coworking space/shared office or a traditional office depends on a number of different factors.

 

1. Needs and Commitment

 

The first thing to consider is how far you are willing to commit to your enterprise. While it’s important to believe in your work, not all teams or projects need to last for years. If what you need is a space to work with a small team in a collaborative effort for no longer than a few months, a shared office is your best bet.

 

The economics are very important here – upfront, as well as in the immediate future, a shared office or coworking space will often be far more economical than a traditional office in the same neighborhood. But if you’re in it for the long haul and already have a small business that has become relatively stable with solid prospects for the next five years, then it may be worth looking into a space of your own.

 

While the benefits of coworking spaces are overwhelming for small businesses, they’re also mostly short-term – if this is something you have the means to invest in and the intention to commit towards, then looking for affordable and valuable office space can be helpful.

 

      • If, however, your business is little more than an idea, then a traditional office may simply be too much. Most office spaces lease for no fewer than three years, which can be both costly and difficult to justify on an unproven business.
      • Shared offices and coworking spaces usually let you make use of their space on a monthly basis. Much like a gym membership, you can choose whether to renew every month. While some coworking spaces do call for slightly longer commitments, of upwards of three months, they’re often the exception.

 

2. Options for Amenities and Utilities

 

A traditional office space may or may not come with its own furniture, but you aren’t likely to find any workstations, printers, or other equipment already installed by the time you first lease the space.

 

That means investing significantly in setting up your own office, getting the backbone of the operation going, not to mention the layout, branding, design, decoration, and art. For larger companies with an established clientele, a bigger team, and serious capital, all of these initial investments might not be too difficult to swing and can net some significant potential for growth.

 

However, if you’re still a young company or are in the process of building your business, these are all costs you can do without. Coworking spaces come prepared with several amenities, workstations, and utilities.

 

Workers can bring their laptops and share communal equipment such as printers and coffee machines. Furniture often accommodates a large variety of different work arrangements, from workers who prefer their own space, to small groups sitting around a coffee table, to large teams tackling a new project in a big meeting or conference room.

 

3. Creating and Preserving Workplace Culture

 

One of the benefits of having your own office space is that you control the design and layout of the office, and as manager, you can control the office culture. Office culture accounts for a number of things, including:

 

      • How your workers behave
      • What is and isn’t appropriate
      • How morale is boosted at work

 

Consider your office’s culture the culmination of its personality, the sum of everyone working together, displaying their strengths independently yet also contributing to a greater total.

 

Office culture can be a good thing, or it can be a bad thing. When managed properly, a workspace can develop a positive culture that greatly impacts worker productivity by keeping workers happy and motivated. When managed poorly, an office culture can contribute towards acts of bullying, intimidation, burnout, and a high turnover.

 

Coworking spaces generally have a positive workspace culture, as it’s their purpose to attract many companies and independent workers, yet this might not always mesh or vibe with your organization.

 

 

4. Learning from Coworking

 

At the end of the day, even though the coworking model won’t replace private offices entirely, its popularity still serves to help inform many office managers and business owners on how better to design their offices in order to take advantage of the factors in coworking spaces that promote productivity and worker contentment.

 

There’s a lot to learn from the design of these spaces, from approaching the office as a more worker-centric environment that doesn’t focus on hierarchies or management control, to providing a greater degree of freedom on where and when to work, as well as how and where to take breaks.

 

From a variety of amenities to a more lax and open environment to help encourage communication and cooperation, these spaces help workers:

 

      • Better flex their creative muscles
      • Mingle with others
      • Still find quiet spaces to withdraw when it’s time to call upon an inner focus and concentrate on the task at hand

 

So, Shared or Traditional Office Space?

Shared offices do their best to be appealing spaces to work in. To heavily advertise their function as a communal space for work and cooperation, they generalize and try to home in on a non-specific, community-driven work culture.

 

Private offices have the luxury of developing their own work culture, but companies must be wary of developing a culture that promotes gatekeeping or ranking.

 

A lack of inclusivity can push newcomers away and keep them from fully unleashing their potential, simply because they aren’t interested in going through a harsh welcoming period before finally being a part of something bigger.

 

In coworking spaces, workers immediately feel welcomed into a larger group, and can start immediately working with others to develop new projects and discover new ideas. An environment that encourages newer employees to open up and be enthusiastic about their work is far healthier than a toxic environment.

 

Common Questions About Office Rentals

1. What is the difference between traditional and shared offices?

Traditional private offices typically have a longer lease term, usually no less than three years while our shared offices can be rented on a monthly basis.

2. Which type of office is best for you?

This depends on many factors including: economical and financial factors, needs and commitment, necessary amenities and utilities, workplace culture and more.

3. Does The Collection offer both types of office?

Yes, we offer monthly-lease terms along with traditional creative offices.

The Collection offers a variety of both monthly office rentals and traditional office space. If you are looking for a place to grow your business, contact us today!

Categories
Office Space

Why Do Companies Use Shared Rental Work Spaces?

It’s no longer just freelancers and small businesses that use shared rental work spaces anymore – they are actually quite popular; but why?

 

With steady growth leading experts to estimate that approximately 3.8 million people will be making use of shared work spaces in the world by 2020, from just 1.18 million in 2017, it’s become clear that coworking is supplying a demand that was previously left untapped, and unrecognized.

 

As it becomes more and more prohibitively expensive to lease and manage office spaces in the world’s largest and most competitive cities, entrepreneurs and businesses alike are forced to find alternative work spaces. Coworking spaces have also grown to meet a new demand for flexibility in an age of eternal uncertainty – as businesses and individuals seek to take greater risks and chase after bigger ideas for the sake of innovation, it becomes more and more important to cut down on costs and minimize commitment.

 

Shared spaces save on space and allow a larger number of individuals and groups to account for the costs, giving startups and other professionals the opportunity to set up and work in some of the world’s most competitive and exciting cities at a much lower cost, without the pitfalls of working from home or virtually. But what constitutes a rental workspace, and how is it superior to working out of a coffee shop, or leasing a cheaper office further away from the city center?

 

What are Shared Rental Work Spaces?

At its simplest, a rental work space is an office that consists of multiple professionals and companies, rather than just one company. As such, they function on a fundamentally different model from traditional office spaces, particularly in terms of pricing and freedom.

 

While a landlord may lease an empty office space to a business for several years, with the permission to redesign the office as they see fit, these work spaces are furnished and designed by the owners, with spaces leased to individuals and companies on a monthly basis. Like a monthly membership or subscription, companies are free to simply leave and opt out of their monthly renewal or continue.

 

Work spaces come with a variety of amenities rolled into the monthly price, including wired or wireless high-speed Internet, break rooms, comfortable seating, secluded meeting or conference rooms, a kitchen, and more. Some spaces encourage companies to bring their own equipment, while supplying equipment that is usually communal, such as:

 

      • Printers
      • Conference equipment
      • Monitors
      • Televisions

 

As such, the workspaces feature a much lower overhead, as well as an attractive monthly fee versus a several-year-long commitment to a hefty and expensive lease. For smaller companies and freelancers, this makes for a much better alternative to seeking out a private office in a large city.

 

Because shared workspaces are inviting to a variety of different professionals, they have also opened the door to a completely new way of working together, encouraging cooperation and networking within the office. But for whom?

Who Uses Them?

Rental work spaces are ideal for partnerships, businesses, and individuals that lack the capital to afford a private office and could benefit from networking and potentially cooperating with other professionals in a variety of different fields. Coworking spaces are very popular among sole proprietors and smaller teams, but function equally well for:

 

      • Smaller companies
      • New start-ups
      • Temporary partnerships
      • Entrepreneurs
      • Freelancers

 

Aside from smaller firms and partnerships, coworking spaces are ideal for temporary teams, for professionals who need a shared space to work for just a few months on a project, before disbanding. While common among film crews, this type of setup is now growing in popularity in other industries as well, especially with the growth of virtual workspaces and rental spaces.

 

Larger corporations can also make use of coworking spaces by utilizing them for satellite offices in regions far away from their usual private offices, saving on the costs of preparing an office for every physical location. While established businesses profit from having a branded space to receive clients, this is not always necessary.

 

When to Transition from Shared Work Spaces to a Private Office?

It’s still critical not to forget that the private office isn’t going out of style – it’s simply coexisting with a brand-new model for work rooms. Companies that can afford to invest in their own private office space are not going to wholesale give up on that luxury for a coworking space potentially shared with competitors.

 

However, it is very likely that they are already profiting from the benefits of a coworking space through the work they outsource to freelance professionals and other smaller companies, as well as entire departments and satellite offices set up in different states and cities.

 

If you’re thinking of choosing between a private office and a coworking space, it helps to keep in mind the pros and cons. Shared work spaces, as previously mentioned, provide the space for collaboration, improve productivity in many cases, help keep workers happier, and boast much lower costs than traditional offices. However, there are cases where the cons of coworking overshadow its benefits.

 

If you have an established business with serious capital, then the need for networking and collaborating on projects with other companies or professionals may not be that high. Meanwhile, you may also want to control your own work environment, improving productivity in your own way by catering to your workers, rather than being at the mercy of how busy a coworking space may be at any given day.

Choosing The Space That is Best for You

Your clients may also be expecting a certain level of business, meaning that having your own office and signage could be important to sending the message that you’re an established and growing business looking for larger long-term profitable relationships.

 

      • Through your own office, you maintain complete control over:
      • Ergonomics
      • Furnishings
      • Break room choices
      • Lighting
      • Design, and much more

 

You can match your business’ tone with your choices in design and layout, rather than having to mesh with other companies as well. A private office is also a safer office, especially if you’re working with client information that is best kept confidential.

 

Private office space is not ideal for every business, especially in this day and age. But there may come a time when you outgrow a cowork space. Ideally, you can put the benefits of both to use, working with professionals out of nearby coworking spaces while providing a private space for your own crew.

 

Luckily, The Collection offers both. Whether you are looking for shared workspace, or your own traditional office, call us today!

 

Read More:

Creating a Positive Work Environment With Coworking

Categories
Office Space

5 Modern Office Design Trends to Improve Employee Morale

Why have offices changed? Among other things, modern office design is setting itself apart from the traditional cubicle office because it’s becoming increasingly obvious that the old model has become ineffective, and a hindrance to productivity – particularly for today’s workforce.

 

But why? And why do modern concepts like collaborative spaces and flexible offices matter more today than before?

 

The answer is complex, but two factors that should be heavily considered are:

 

      • The internet
      • Economic instability

 

Both give us clues as to how to improve worker morale and boost productivity – and why these modern office design trends are integral in achieving this.

 

Why Flexibility is Key in Modern Office Design

 

A considerable chunk of today and tomorrow’s workforce grew up in a time when the most important technology of the century was making annual leaps in terms of connectivity and possibility.

 

Concepts like e-commerce and telecommunication existed mostly on paper only a few decades ago – today, they’re commonplace and virtually irreplaceable. We’ve gone from clunky and immovable workstations with barely more than a few megabytes of memory to thousands of times the same processing power within the palm of our hand.

 

Our idea of the modern office must adjust accordingly. There is no need to keep workers chained to inefficient cubicles and maintain a stifling work environment.

 

A design based around the same principles as the internet can not only improve productivity, but boost morale – people expect the following:

 

      • To be connected 24/7
      • The ability for collaborating and withdrawing to individual corners in a matter of seconds
      • Having the flexibility to work from anywhere in a varied and refreshing office space, rather than spending eight hours at a single desk

 

Today’s Workers are Worried and Stressed

 

The second factor also translates immediately into why a comforting design philosophy, high morale, and appropriately employee-centric company vision plays such a critical role in productivity.

 

The idea of the stable, safe job with benefits and a clear future is dead to many. Adults who are entering the workforce today vividly remember the lasting effects of the great recession and are aware of how the rise in a gig-based economy has led to an increased focus on providing transitory spaces and an emphasis on outsourced talent rather than investing heavily in in-house talent.

 

Many workers are paranoid that they simply won’t be with any one company for very long, and they are often uniquely aware of their own expendability, working hard to prune and perfect an ever-growing virtual portfolio and social presence, mixing their work life with their personal life online, and marketing a personal brand.

 

They understand the importance of the bottom line and have little faith in a company to prioritize their wellbeing. This is just one major factor that makes it hard for many to genuinely give a company their all – they don’t feel valued, and experience has taught them to expect little.

 

Why You Need to Care About Employee Morale

 

Happy workers are effective workers.

 

But to be happy, workers need to be positively motivated, and in a good mood. It doesn’t help to create an atmosphere of terror at the workplace, one where everyone is out to compete against one another. A productive workplace must provide collaborative opportunities for its workers, and it must motivate them through a potential long-term career.

 

There’s little value for workers in free training and experience when it is plain as day to them that they don’t have a future at any given firm. For startups, companies that give workers little control or insight over the future of the company gives them little reason to care about the work they do, and how it affects the business.

 

Most people say they care about money, but most people really care about more than just money. They yearn to be a part of something greater, and see their input translate directly into tangible results, not just in the form of a great paycheck, but something they can be proud of.

 

Design plays a critical role in motivating people to be more productive; it helps make them feel like they are a part of something important. Here are a few simple yet critical modern office design trends that cater to this shift.

 

 

1. Create Flexible Spaces

 

It’s clear that cubicles do much more harm than good. It’s simply not productive to stay stuck to a single spot for hours at a time for days, weeks, and months on end. Flexible office spaces eliminate static desks and workspaces, instead replacing them with common areas and shared spaces.

 

Need time alone to work on a project?

      • Go into a soundproof room or a meeting room and get to work.

Out of ideas?

      • Head to the break room for a while.

Just want to engage others and maybe work on a new project?

      • Find one of several different collaborative spaces and just listen in and engage.

 

Coworking or flexible spaces allow people to work on their own stations, or on their laptops, or their phones – alongside others, or alone, on a sofa, or by a window. It is the most popular modern office design trend that we are seeing.

 

2. Utilize Collaborative Furniture

 

Collaborative furniture is the exact opposite of a cubicle, tearing down the four gray walls and replacing them with scattered coffee tables, larger collaborative meeting tables, and sofas instead of single office chairs. Comfort over formality, and community over strict individuality.

 

Some key features to collaborative furniture include sockets and lightning options, adjustable heights, large interactive monitors to easily launch and present quick pitches and ideas, or just a whiteboard/blackboard and a few comfortable couches or bean bag chairs.

 

3. Make the Break Room Fun

 

Break rooms should be more than just a simple kitchen with a semi-functioning coffee machine. Rather than picking a boring stereotype, build a break room you and your employees would genuinely enjoy – one you can drop by in for a quick five-minute refresher, or a somewhat longer recharge.

 

It shouldn’t be a total game room – a workplace is ultimately still for work, and if an employee is having a day when just nothing is getting done, it might be more productive for them to take the day off and have a break at home – but the break room should still be something tailored specifically to your company.

 

4. Implement Biophilic Design

 

Less to do with flexibility, collaboration, and individual creativity, biophilic design simply aims to make the most of the aspects of the natural world that enhance our creativity and make us feel more at ease.

 

The calming effects of forests and other nature-filled spaces have been recorded in the past. Now, biophilic modern office design tries to incorporate this through more:

 

      • Natural light
      • Certain colors
      • Decors, materials, and furniture

 

The result is an interesting blend of modernity and nature. One that is meant to improve productivity by reducing unneeded stress.

 

5. It’s More Than Aesthetics 

 

Designing an office space is understanding that our environments shape us, both actively and passively. It’s not just surface-level stuff, with empty platitudes and color schemes pulled straight off a pop psych magazine.

 

An effective modern office design ultimately strives to get at the root of what makes employees and workers anxious. It then aims to eliminate these factors. From there, they can focus on doing what fulfills them and makes them proud of their hard work.

 

 

Common Questions About Modern Office Design

Why Have “Traditional Offices” Changed?

Modern office design sets itself apart as we see the traditional model has become ineffective. It is a hindrance to productivity, and lessens employee morale.

Why Is Employee Morale Important?

Happy workers are effective workers. Producing an office design that continually inspires, allows for collaboration, and motivates people leads to more productivity and success.

How Can You Improve Employee Morale with Office Design?

You can improve morale through design by: implementing flexible offices, utilizing collaborative furniture, creating a fun and creative break room, using biophilic design, and reducing worker anxiety through design.

 

Conclusion

 

Offices should aim to help workers feel comfortable in their downtime and motivated in their working time. They should be sterile or staid, but they shouldn’t simply be playful for no reason.

Implementing these modern office design trends properly means understanding what your workers need and working with professionals to fulfill those needs.

 

Read More:

7 Ways to Avoid Creating a Toxic Workplace Environment