Lucy - BQ Magazine EditorIf you’re ready to revamp the look of your office, there are a few things you need to consider to make sure that you are doing a good job and that your employees will have a comfortable place to come into every morning.
This means you must focus on your office layout. When you are doing the layout, you want to make sure that you make improvements on what is not working.
Also, look at what is working and then make arrangements to enhance it as much as possible. If you’ve been struggling with this and you don’t know exactly what you should be focused on, here are some tips that will help you steer things in the right direction.
Look at the Current Layout
The first thing you’re going to need to do is to look at how the current layout is working. Is it functioning correctly? Identify any pain points that you may have.
You want to make sure that everything is running smoothly and efficiently. Find out what in the layout is currently causing hitches, and how everything functions then try to fix it as much as possible.
Have Clear Objectives
Make sure you are clear about what you want to achieve with your new layout. Maybe you want to improve the collaboration between your teams.
It could be that you also want them to be able to communicate more effectively. You may want to have a layout where your workers interact with each other more to encourage camaraderie and friendliness. All of this is with the aim of making sure everybody is working together harmoniously.
Whatever you want to achieve make sure you have clear goals and then aim for them when looking at your new layout.
Ask Opinions
It’s a good idea to ask the opinions of the people who are going to be using the layout before you jump in and do things. It’s in your best interest to know what they like and dislike about the current layout.
This is the best way to know how you’re going to make it easier for them to collaborate and do all the things you have been envisioning. Don’t just throw it on them without any warning, you’re likely to meet with resistance and your employees will get a little disgruntled if you don’t get things right.
At least when they’ve had an input they can’t complain about not being consulted.
Plan the Layout
Once you’ve gotten all the feedback it’s time to put everything that you have learned into action. This is probably the most challenging and exciting part at the same time. In addition to the feedback of your staff you also want to consider departmental proximity, natural lighting, noise levels and team collaboration needs.
You want to make sure that there is a balance between focus and collaborative work. It shouldn’t be all business though. Make sure that you create a layout that helps employees interact with each other on a more personalized level.
You don’t want me to distract from work too much but when people get along they work better together. Your layout should definitely foster this.
Consider the aesthetics of the office space as well. Think about the type of artwork that would be suitable for the walls. Even the types of plants you can bring in should be considered. If you’re looking to upgrade the flooring, consider something classic and timeless such as resin flooring. You can hire resin flooring services to get the job done for you. If you make the space as comfortable and pleasing to be in as possible you’re likely to increase employee productivity.
Consider Collaboration Zones
To maximize all the input that you can get when collaborating it’s a good idea to consider making collaboration zones in your layout. Your team can go there for team sessions to bounce ideas off of each other, and also to have informal discussions.
You can put things such as whiteboards, comfortable seats, office desking and the right technology for presentations in this area. This is not to be confused as an area where fun and games is the order of the day. By putting work equipment there employers will know that this is the place where they go when they want to brainstorm together.
Types of Equipment
You need to consider the type of equipment that you will be using in the space. This can make a world of difference when it comes to what you put in the space. Make sure equipment is not in the way and that they facilitate collaborations very easily.
Make sure that any technology that you put in the space can seamlessly support teamwork efforts and align with your workflows. This is what’s going to make all the difference between an office space that is considered a “dud” and one that is considered a haven of productivity.
Are you ready to kick your office productivity into high gear? If so, start using these tips to craft an amazing layout, right now.