The days of featureless cubicles and a dingy soulless office space crammed with despondent employees is in the past. Some would argue that the days of any office spaces have passed, what with the rise in remote working. However, there is something to be said for a professional office environment, even in the modern business world.
The trick is to move with the times. If you’ve set up a company already, you’re probably all too familiar with the need to be flexible and able to adapt. But if you’re relatively new to the business world, you might find it difficult to keep up.
Why Corporate Offices Still Matter
Commercial space costs money to keep afloat, which is why many businesses are moving away from keeping an office entirely. However, they still have benefits.
The most important benefit of commercial office space is that it provides a degree of professionalism to your company. Clients and investors care about professionalism, and even something seemingly simple like a separate place to work can have a great impact on these relationships.
An office also provides your employees with a good place to collaborate. Some industries benefit from in-person meetings and conversations that allow people to work seamlessly. You might also need specialised software and equipment, which means that you need to work in a place equipped in the right way.
Stylish and Practical Design
When designing an office space, you need to balance practicality with style. A completely featureless office space might be practical, but it isn’t pleasant to work in. Too much character is distracting and might be difficult to work in, even if it suits your brand.
You should find a middle ground. For example, glass boardroom tables are easy to clean, but they have an effortlessly modern and sleek look that can impress clients while working as a perfectly functional table in their own right.
Find a style that works for your company and stick with it. You should also make sure that the layout of your office space is logical and safe for your employees to navigate. Clutter and blocked walkways can lead to trips and falls, which may in turn lead to injury and nasty lawsuits.
Adjusting to the Needs of the Employee
The most important people to consider when designing your office space are the people who will spend all their time there. Your employees are the backbone of your business and you can’t succeed without them.
Make sure they’re involved in the office design process. If remote working is an option for your company, consider implementing and supporting it to give your employees more flexibility and opportunities to work in a way that suits them.
You can do this by using a system that allows employees to work from home or on holiday. Video conferencing can facilitate meetings and can even help you to meet with people around the world. Remote working doesn’t have to compete with in-person office spaces, as long as you support both systems.
Featured image by Mario Gogh from unsplash
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