Hot Desking
The idea of hot desking is a rather recent one and offers truly limitless options for office configurations. Essentially the idea is that new technology such as tablet PCs and wireless internet connections mean that we no longer need to be chained to a single desk in order to get our work done. This allows for the removal or reconfiguration of furniture so that your staff can work from whichever part of the office that they see fit. Hot desking is likely to be a key part of the future of office design as technological progress means that physical barriers will become a thing of the past.
The option of hot desking also allows for very flexible workspace setup and can help to foster collaboration between teams. Moving someone to work with a different team will be as easy as them taking their tablet or laptop with them and sitting with the new group. The principle also allows people to move around freely during their daily work, encouraging them to get up, move around and enjoy their workspace just a little more than before.
Overlap Zones
Want your staff to be able to work across departments and collaborate? The idea of an overlap zone is intended to get your teams to collaborate in specific areas of your office space by ensuring that there is an overlap between the departments. For many organisations, the major hurdle of inter-departmental cooperation can be a real headache – the overlap zone may well be the answer to their prayers.
Fostering greater social and professional bonds is huge in trying to improve collaboration. The overlap zone principle can certainly assist in making the gap between departments smaller and therefore help them to work together more productively.
Movable Desks
While hot desking means that staff can work from anywhere, movable desks mean that they can take their own desk and move it to a more desired location. Still a pretty novel idea, the movable desk offers a different option to many of the others listed here and can be a real tool to help foster collaboration by having a flexible workspace that can be adapted at short notice. The principle also allows staff to maintain their own desk which may be very important to the specific task that they carry out. For many staff, their desk is also the place that they keep their personal effects and they may feel attached to it. Whatever the reason, the movable desk offers an excellent option for staff to be able to move around while maintaining their own desk environment.
Superdesk
Want a twist on the open-plan office? How about a superdesk? A superdesk offers a rather neat twist on the traditional idea of an open-plan office by creating one complete desk that covers a whole office! Still very much in its infancy, the idea of a superdesk is ideal to help to enhance collaboration between teams and also create a novel piece of furniture that is certainly a differentiator for your business.
Plants
The natural world is easily forgotten in the business one. The addition of plants can help your staff to enjoy their surroundings. Not only pretty to look at, plants in the office can also help to produce some much needed oxygen. Plants can also help to relax your staff and reduce stress levels. A reduction in workplace stress can only be a good thing and the benefits will be felt quickly by all in your business.
As you can see, there are some quick and easy options in this list. There are also some that are a little more costly and time consuming to instill. However you choose to implement new working strategies, Spaceway can help. Our four decades of experience can be used to help keep your office environment idyllic. So if you are looking to make a change and need some help, give our friendly team a call and we will be happy to help.