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I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Management Toolkit / Entrepreneurship / Economy Central by Falcon Bank WORKING WELL
The Right Fit Tailored office space solutions matter in the era of flexible work. By Alex Bendele
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ost pandemic, the conversation around office space is a hot topic that is continually evolving. Articles are published daily about the prevalence of hybrid work, companies instituting return-towork policies and a host of tips to get people back into the office. As many organizations struggle to decide what’s next for their office space, the first thought is often to look at peer companies and ask “Well, what are they doing?”
Contributor ________
Experience and evidence from the market show that the future of the office is not so much about trends, but about what is right for the unique needs of your company. Many employers are seeking to provide spaces that offer a variety of work points with dedicated focus areas, accommodate hybrid teams, and allow for greater collaboration. Global architecture and design firm Gensler reports that, with a workforce accustomed to the flexibility and privacy of hybrid and remote work, employees
Alex Bendele is marketing coordinator at Fluid Interiors.
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are looking for greater choice and privacy in the office. Hybrid work also means companies need technology solutions to better support conferencing among mixed remote/in-person teams. Finally, with employees prioritizing their time in the office to work with others face-to-face, there is a shift toward including a broader mix of collaboration spaces. So – more focus areas, better technology, a variety of collaboration spaces. Throw in a café with donuts and coffee – and then all our problems are solved, right? Not quite. Other factors affect how employees use space, such as job function and industry. A research and development team might come into the office more often than sales because they use special equipment available in the office. Creative agencies might prefer open-style collaboration areas, whereas law firms are more likely to choose closed conference spaces that protect client privacy. The right solution is not industry specific. The right solution is a more tailored approach, customized to the organization. Sarah Oknick is director of ideation at NextLab, a Fluid Interiors brand partner that specializes in providing
workspace solutions. She looks at all these factors to help companies make decisions about their office design. “I start by asking customers ‘What are your desired business outcomes?’ Starting with the end in mind will help set the stage for what they need to do to be successful,” Oknick said. She seeks to understand a company’s unique culture and engage with their employees to figure out the different work styles within the organization. This way customers can feel confident in making design decisions that are supported with data collected on how their employees work best. As the work environment continues to evolve with hybrid models and changing employee expectations, organizations must prioritize flexibility, technology integration, and space utilization that reflect their specific culture and business goals. By focusing on tailored solutions informed by data and employee input, companies can create spaces that not only foster productivity and collaboration but also resonate with the individual needs of their workforce. The path forward lies in embracing diversity in work styles and designing office spaces that are as dynamic and adaptable as the people who use them.