Is your water cooler lonely? Are you looking at a ½ filled office? Are you asking yourself if you need all the space you have?
You are not alone.
You need to know how much space you need right now, while making accommodations for future anticipated needs. However, you must take a comprehensive approach and make certain you plan beyond just the current office climate. We need to discuss your company and office culture because a scale down must be carefully curate
Years ago, the hot topic was the evolution of the workspace. Many people became jealous of the new campuses – not offices - that companies were re-engineering for increased productivity and innovation.
Next you heard all about the new and improved “Open office” where cubicles were being removed and “collaboration couches” were put in place. Treadmill and standing desks were on everyone’s wish list.
Today with all the video communication options, it almost seems like “going to THE office” may be replaced with “going to MY office.” This “virtual” meeting platform that became essential due to COVID-19, was a blessing. It was necessary for survival. However, some companies, not all, may need to revert back to in-the-flesh face-time.
Depending on your product, or service, there is a tight correlation between personal interactions, performance, and innovation. I have said many times that I have put many “cocktail napkin ideas” into action. Collaboration is key. Collaboration doesn’t happen on a pre-planned 40 minute Zoom meeting.
We need to accept that office space in itself is a tool for growth. So, before eliminating the space, focus on removing the space that is wasted and ineffective and reinvent the remainder. Maybe you do eliminate the entire brick and mortar, and you set your company up for various site-specific meeting places to reengage together. In either case, people still must explore and engage organically and personally. Companies must create energy between the bright minds of their team. In many cases, exploring, engaging, and increasing the number of people’s interactions can be far more important than any one individual’s productivity or creativity. If an employee improves a way to do something, but doesn’t have the opportunity to casually share the method to their coworkers, that employee has improved one job – their own – instead of improving the job of fellow workers doing the same task.
Allow us to do a revenue to space analysis. We will discuss your culture, goals, hopes, and intentions.
Anthony Lauto heads Camber Strategies, LLC, a boutique business consulting firm with offices in Long Island and Manhattan.