Are your employees trapped?
If they are working in cubicles, they might feel a little like they are. On the other hand, an open-plan office doesn’t always provide employees the privacy they would like.
Not to fret, though; there are office design concepts that bridge the gap. Read on for some clever ideas to make your office space more productive while still giving workers the balance of privacy and freedom that they want.
Three Office Design Concepts for a More Productive Company
You might think that your office design concepts are limited by the physical space that your company occupies. That’s just not so! With a little imagination (and some inspiration from the internet), you can create an office that employees actually want to work in.
Offer Variety
There is a happy medium between a “cube farm” and a “bullpen.” The easiest way to achieve the best of both worlds is to offer variety.
In other words, afford each employee a semi-private space where she can stash her lunch and personal belongings or just retreat when she needs solitude to focus on difficult tasks.
At the same time, provide plenty of public spaces where employees can collaborate and feel less isolated. Some ideas include lounge areas with comfortable chairs and couches, or rooms that boast large library-style tables. Think conference rooms but without the conference.
The fact is that some people work better when they’re holed up by themselves, some prefer a communal atmosphere, and others like the flexibility of being able to move from one type of space to another.
Additionally, denying your workers the privacy to make phone calls, for example, can really backfire on your productivity plans. Learn more here.
Encourage Employees to Move
Standing desks are all the rage, and they can be a great option for those folks who don’t like sitting still all day. Another way to boost productivity and employees satisfaction is to implement walking meetings.
A study conducted by Harvard Business Review found that such “walk and talk” methods of communicating made participants feel over 5% more productive than traditional sit-down meetings. Office design concepts that offer lots of room to move will help facilitate this type of meeting.
Some successful businesses even have yoga rooms or game rooms. Taking a brief break to play and stretch might seem counterintuitive to productivity, but research shows that an exercise-based break is actually a huge boon.
Boost the Beauty of Your Workplace
It’s a bit of a no-brainer: put people in a depressing, dim (or worse, fluorescent-lit) room, and they will do whatever it takes to get out of there. While the Bill Lumberghs of the world might think that will make folks work harder, in reality it dampens creativity, engagement, and satisfaction.
Plants are a good start. Adjustable and/or natural lighting is good, too. And consider ditching those old-school office chairs for playful, colorful furniture that adds flexibility to the space.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in the real estate biz or the legal profession, own a bakery or operate a trucking company, you naturally want your employees to feel that they are appreciated and supported. Office design concepts will vary depending on your industry, but there are takeaways here for every type of company.
How do you address the issue of productivity in your office? Have any tips? Let us know in the comments!