A Purposeful Guide to Workplace Reinvention
A successful office environment starts with a workplace model that aligns business goals & strategies with people, productivity & wellbeing.
Just as it takes time to establish an effective business model for any organization, so does designing an optimal workspace take careful planning expertise from beginning stages all the way through execution with benefits far-reaching past initial implementation.
Tasmanians have fabricated a new wave of workplace trends that demand fresh perspectives when looking at our commercial spaces.
Tasmania’s response to COVID-19 has put the state in a unique position. Embracing the isolation and choosing to stay and thrive within the island.
“Demand for office space in Hobart’s CBD is growing, according to new data released by the Property Council of Australia.
The Australian Office Market Report showed Hobart CBD’s office market vacancy rate was down nearly two percentage points at 4.1 per cent in January 2020, compared to 6 per cent in January 2019.”
3 guiding principles to help us navigate the changing landscape of workplaces.
When Designing for People - Empathy is key
The future of the workplace needs to be designed for multiple generations with diverse cultural backgrounds, supporting a complex range of needs and requirements. A successful strategy considers how we can accommodate people in their best possible states, user experience and the different working styles that will enable people to perform their best work. Considerations around how people travel to and from work and when they are required to be at work are a few of the conversations that need to happen.
We are all experts in our own field, so why not use that to fuel empathy? Empathy is a powerful tool for innovation and creating an environment where people want to work. It allows us the opportunity to explore ideas together with others who may have different perspectives or backgrounds than we do. This type of collaboration can lead to new understandings about how things work or what could be possible if only someone had tried it before. That’s something worth investing in!
2. The Concept of Placemaking in Commercial Spaces
The elevation of the office also can be described as placemaking, a term usually applied to cities looking to humanize urban acreage through gathering spots and social pockets for its inhabitants.
Placemaking has come to represent an era where people are living, working and playing in close proximity. This concept is reflected by the way we behave as we move from space-to-space throughout our day depending on what type of work needs attention at any given moment. It encourages chance meetings that foster creativity while providing flexibility for those looking to focus either individually or collectively.
A growing number of companies have recognized this importance by investing heavily into creating inspiring environments with premium amenities specifically designed to keep employees happy while boosting productivity levels across departments.
Here are three practical ways to integrate placemaking into the workplace creation.
1. Integrate diverse opinions into a cohesive vision.
2. translate that vision into a plan and program of uses, and
3. ensure the sustainable implementation of the plan.Turning a shared vision into a reality–into a truly great place–means finding the patience to take small steps, to truly listen, and to see what works best in a particular context.
Embracing corporate placemaking requires our leaders to be visionaries and ask "what is possible in this space for employees?" The connection between people, spaces (or environments), experiences that create an uplifting workplace culture are what differentiates it from other offices.
3. Workplace As A Destination
The workplace is often the first impression of a company to its employees, clients and customers. A well designed office can attract people who are interested in working for the business or buying their products. However, it should be noted that not all workplaces are created equal; some have an atmosphere where employees enjoy spending time while others feel like they're being confined to work.
With the rise in remote work and telecommuting, many employees are spending much of their workday on screens and online. As a result, they miss out on socialising with colleagues or feeling like part of the team. The workplace is an opportunity for employees to have meaningful moments that can lead to increased productivity and satisfaction.
The workplace of the future will be a place where employees are valued for their skills, but also for how they can contribute to making work purposeful. As workplaces continue to evolve, it is important to design spaces that can adapt to these changes and make people feel like they are part of the journey.