How to get home comfort at office?

Begin workplace evolution soon enough!

Traditional office models and workplaces have been under transformation for the past few years. According to the survey reports by Knoll, a workplace design company and UnWired, companies are rethinking their attitude towards acquisition, planning and implementation of physical spaces. The report surveyed leaders who are in charge of real estate and facilities of 46 global companies.

Here we are outlining five points that show what the modern office trends are evolving into:

Stepping to Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a huge revolution in business technology. It has played a critical role in changing the face of global business. The move to cloud computing has stripped companies off infrastructure, outmoded technology and extra employee workforce.

It has gone so far as to change the shape and size of business buildings. It brought in the uber-cool ‘thin’ buildings that house lesser infrastructure. It has thrown away the storage of power & cooling servers and fire suppression systems. The lack of major, space gobbling machines and equipment means there are vast areas of free space available. These are transformed by companies into hangouts, gyms, cafes and even cinemas or game rooms.

Saying No to Desks

Designated desks are a thing of the past. Organisations are looking to mould into adaptable, highly-innovative work spaces that ooze more hospitality than a traditional office. Gone are the days of individual workstations as companies are implementing team-based spaces for increased interaction and creative output.

A worthy example is that of Microsoft’s Netherlands HQ, where you won’t find a fixed desk in place or a designated office setup. There are no gadgets or devices that keep individual employees connected through their working day. Everyone shares a common workspace, ensuring that occupancy is increased. There is efficient utilisation of energy inside the building.

People-Centric Mindset

Ultimately, it is now all about the people. Companies are emphasising on progressive behaviour within their world, which has in turn brought out a well-designed hospitality trait. This stretches from getting an updated piece of technology to as far as brewing a great cup of coffee!

How far will companies go to ensure their employees are in good working condition? Ernst & Young has a people-centric workspace that the company even creates spaces for massages, classes & dentistry. It all comes down to how comfortable one is working for a global firm. Apart from keeping the inmates satisfied, it helps in attracting fresh talent and retaining them in-house.

A Hub Formation

A hub is a place where workers converge to exchange ideas, build relations and improve the workplace community.  While there will be a few people who prefer to lay low and work with their heads down, a majority are up and about, collaborating business in and out of their workstations.

Creating a hub can result in interesting encounters that can prompt chance meeting between people, thereby increasing the creative output and overall productivity of the company.

Flexible & Adaptive Working

A research report by Deloitte states that “flexible working can improve the retention of high performers by as much as 100 per cent, as well as improving employee engagement.”

Companies are setting up a more agile and responsive platform for businesses, in response to increasing demands and lifestyle choices outside of work. Employees have the ability and liberty to choose their work in a more personalised manner, often ticking off the when, where and how they work tabs.

Companies today are looking to build the ‘home away from home’ aspect with a dynamic and adaptive work space, to rein in employees and enable creative sharing and collaboration amongst them.

What steps do you intend to take to turn your workplace into a second home? Do share your story.