A YouGov study has revealed that British businesses could be hindering innovation and creativity simply due to the design of the spaces in which people work. The research, which polled 2,000 British employees across three generations, noted that just under half (43%) of respondents felt that their workplace encouraged innovation and creativity. This is clearly not a surprise; the effects of the work environment on people is a well-studied subject, and surveys such as these only serve to highlight that while a building’s form is clearly important, the design is also just as important, if not more so.

 

The research also studied the effect of workplace design on visitors and clients. The statistics were even starker: 85% agreed that they would judge the merits of the business that they were visiting on the design of its premises. There were further interesting results hidden in the data: almost 79% of respondents noted that the design of the workplace would affect their decision on whether to take a job with the firm. With competition at an all-time high in many industries, a competitive edge is almost a prerequisite for success in the 21st century.

 

Workplace Wellbeing In The 21st Century

 

With wellbeing and mindfulness becoming big business, it is no surprise that the leading businesses are taking note of the results of studies such as these. As we alluded to, competition is stiff in many sectors and getting the right staff to move your business forward has rarely been as competitive.

 

So what can you do to help ensure the wellbeing of your staff and increase the attractiveness of your business? Well, if you take into account that your average staff member works from anywhere between 7 and 12 hours per day in your premises, it stands to reason that they are likely to be significantly affected by their surroundings. While sleeping pods, gyms and even office restaurants are all the rage, it is often more basic ideas that actually prove more fruitful.

 

Ensuring that lighting, space and temperature are taken into account can make a huge difference to the comfort and wellbeing of your staff. Advancements in these areas mean that you can now provide effective, efficient lighting and a controlled indoor climate for reasonably modest sums. As far as space is concerned, ensuring that premises design takes into account the needs of both your staff and your business can make a huge difference. New office trends such as hybrid design (open plan and cubes for those who prefer them), hot desking (the ability to work from anywhere in the building) and the addition of amenities such as kitchens and gyms can turn your premises into an amazing workplace which your staff genuinely feel at home in – and importantly can produce their best work in.

 

Adapting To The Change

 

While you may not want to bring in sleeping pods and meditation gurus just yet, it is worth bearing in mind some of these concepts to help make your premises more desirable to your clients, staff and visitors. The data on this is clear: the design of your premises matters. While it is easy to ignore this data, there are clearly significant gains to be made, and many of these changes can be made with some minor refurbishment and/or the addition of new technologies. Whatever you decide, arm yourself with this data in order to give your business the competitive edge.