The Interconnected Workplace
In today’s interconnected world, the way we work is rapidly changing. Due to technology and global competition, business has become more complex, interdependent and volatile. This has direct influence on the workers and the workplace. In this context the workplace can be a strategic business tool, but only if it is designed to support the way people and organizations work today.
Is your Workplace ready?
Workplace Issues
We have identified 5 workplace issues to prepare your workplace for the challenges of an interconnected world.
- Real estate compression
- Distributed collaboration
- Attract. Develop. Engage
- Building brand and culture
- Wellbeing
Real estate is the most costly expense for most organizations, second only to personnel costs.
A company cannot simply reduce its real estate. Instead, workplaces must work harder and smarter. To be fully optimized, the workspace must provide a range of spaces that serve multiple functions to provide everyone in the organization with the type of space they need.
Collaboration is the way innovation is achieved, in today’s interconnected world. The workspace needs to support distant collaboration with the proper technology which gives consideration to people, place and information.
In the war for talent you need to get and keep the best. With unemployment still high in many countries, leaders might think that attracting, developing and engaging talent is not a critical priority, but now that rapid innovation and creativity is king, it is critical to maintain highly motivated workers with the right talents and skills.
Brand is a critical driver to an organization’s success. And space can help foster the type of culture that fits the brand. Space gives permission to behave differently – to live the company culture. The workplace can be used to communicate what the company believes to an internal and external audience.
An overall view of worker wellbeing has become a recognized strategy to boost an organization’s ability to innovate. Wellbeing in the workplace needs to consider the whole person by providing a variety of spaces, tools and postures.
To ensure that all users find the place and adapt the posture that best fits to their task, you need to give them choice and control over their workspace.
Workmodes
Steelcase has developed a methodology for an interconnected workplace with a range of settings that support a variety of work styles and the four modes of work:
- Collaborating: Working with other people face to face or at distance
- Focusing: Individual work that requires concentration
- Learning: Sharing information and experiences and coaching colleagues
- Socializing: Informal exchange of information with a small group of people
I-We Framework
Workplaces designed for an interconnected world offer the right balance of spaces for individual “I” work, as well as group “We” work. There needs to be a combination of spaces that are shared or owned.
The objective is to create an environment of interrelated settings that allow people to work in whatever location they work best, allowing them to choose the amount of sensory stimulation, physical support and the right tools appropriate for the work they are doing at that time.
Source:
www.steelcase.co.uk
