The great office-comeback.
30.01.2023
Let's get it straight: Hybrid working is the new normal. Home offices or remote working have become an integral part of the working world. But something is currently happening - and that is the recurring importance of the office.
The Corona pandemic is as good as over and normality is gradually returning to the companies of this world. But what exactly is "normal" now? In any case, something different from normal three years ago. Today, home office is an integral part of everyday working life for most employees. The advantages are obvious: no need to travel to work (and thus no travel costs), more time for family, pets and household (keyword "work-life balance"), no distractions from colleagues.
Despite all the advantages that the home office offers, a clear trend can be discerned at present: The office is becoming increasingly important again. This does not mean that it will completely replace the home office. The truth is that in future there will continue to be a mix of home office and office days in most cases. Each company decides for itself what the respective distribution will look like. We have summarised for you here why the office has many advantages - for employers AND employees.
Humans are social beings
Admittedly. There are certainly some exceptions - but exceptions ultimately prove the rule. Basically, people are social and strive for social exchange, social recognition and human interaction. We have noticed in recent years that this is also possible via platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom. But they cannot really replace analogue encounters. What is popularly called "interpersonal" is usually created through the interplay of language, posture and chemistry, which can sometimes occur in front of the coffee machine or in the hallway. There is also the possibility of slipping into a kind of social isolation through constant home office work.
This may come as an unexpected surprise, but various studies have shown the following result: young people in particular would like their work to be centred in the office - not in the home office, as many might assume. This is mainly due to the fact that career starters in particular first have to build up a network within the company - the same applies, of course, to a change of job. Exchanges with colleagues and looking over the shoulder of superiors also play a major role here. In most cases, this is simply less complicated than picking up the metaphorical phone for every question.
Open spaces, community areas or creative labs: create added value for your employees
Cosy lounge corners promote social interaction among colleagues
The office of the future has new demands
The world of work is changing - so it's no wonder that the demands on the office are also changing and evolving. Whereas the office used to be simply an institution where everyday work was done, today it is more of a place to meet and socialise. Accordingly, the interior and technology have to keep pace.
On the one hand, it is becoming increasingly important that office spaces - especially meeting rooms - become more modular, dynamic and flexible. We want to see furniture that adapts to people. Not people who have to adapt to furniture. For example, tables, benches and chairs with castors for dynamic movement. But mobile acoustic walls or whiteboards are also useful and are becoming more and more popular. And for all those who want to take it easy: No office should be without office cubes - this is especially true for open-plan offices. After all, some telephone calls don't need a noisy background. The same applies when demanding presentations or strategies have to be worked out in concentrated individual work. In these situations, telephone boxes provide an optimal place of retreat and a space for sensitive conversations.
On the other hand, the smart office is also just around the corner, if it has not already arrived. The pandemic has given digitalisation a big boost and it is rolling merrily on and on. Topics such as AI in the form of chatbots etc. have also dominated the international headlines recently. In this new age, every company should have a plan for high-quality video and telephone conferencing by now. Is your company not yet ready? Then it's high time. Take a look at our article on the meeting room revolution (and send it unobtrusively to the responsible IT colleagues). Of particular interest are new conference technologies with integrated cameras, speakers and operating systems. When it comes to video conferencing systems, do you only understand stationary? Simply contact us via our Podia website and we will be happy to advise you on the perfect solution for your meeting rooms.
Economic situation cries out for new solutions
Unusual times call for new measures. The economic situation means uncertainty for many companies - especially start-ups and smaller businesses. Nevertheless, the show must go on. One popular method at the moment is to rent offsite offices. This makes a lot of sense if you don't want to commit to a rental contract for many years, but still want to offer your employees the option of an office. Because in many cases this is possible for just one or two years. If you would like to rent office equipment in such cases, then take a look at the Podia product catalogue and easily rent office furniture, powerful devices and conference technology.
Help with recruiting and staff retention
It is no secret that we are in times of a skills shortage. This means: there is a labour market in which workers claim an enormous say. Above all, the human resources departments of this world will deal with this issue more and more in the future.
The important thing here is: people are the focus. And that means, among other things: Health first. The shift towards more health in the workplace is in full swing. This concerns both physical and mental health. Ergonomic chairs and height-adjustable desks should be a matter of course by now. After all, the well-being of employees comes first. In addition to a healthy working atmosphere, fair working conditions and adequate holiday days, the possibility of a home office and an attractive office with lounge corners, quiet areas and break rooms naturally also ensure mental well-being. After all, anyone who spends the whole day in the office also needs a few minutes to take a deep breath and recharge their batteries. So it's a good thing that there is plenty of high-quality lounge furniture that really makes a statement in the office. Today more than ever, a beautiful and well-equipped office is a sign of appreciation for employees - and accordingly also a way to retain employees in the long term and attract new talent.
Strengthen corporate culture
Every company has its own corporate culture - whether it is clear about it or not. In the best case, there are values and norms that are exemplified and, above all, lived. From this, an individual corporate culture develops with which, in the best case, employees identify and make it their own. We are quite honest, it can be difficult to develop a successful corporate culture through purely digital meetings. Of course, you can set up regular group calls and send motivational emails. But the real "we-feeling" can only be created through personal contact. By working closely together, you strengthen the internal team bond and develop a pleasant atmosphere in which all team members feel comfortable. Especially in times when many employees can choose for themselves whether and when they come to the office, the corporate culture and office atmosphere is an essential factor. The better companies equip their offices and the more opportunities they offer for dynamic working, the more employees will want to come back to the office.
With the design of their workspaces, companies have the opportunity to offer employees additional identification potential and strengthen the team feeling. How about conference chairs or lounge furniture in your corporate colours, for example? This way, you create an individual environment and avoid a boring, run-of-the-mill office concept. There should also be lounge areas where colleagues can enjoy a coffee or have a quick brainstorming session. Invest in a good office for a more pleasant corporate culture. And by good we mean: high-quality, individual, ergonomic, sustainable and flexible. This will promote connectivity, creativity and collaboration among your employees.
Better separation of professional and private life
Do you know this feeling? You work all day at the kitchen table, close your laptop in the evening - and move next door to the sofa. You can't really switch off like that. This works much better if there are separate places for work and pleasure. To prevent your brain from associating your home with work, it's a good idea to drop by the office more often. This way, your own four walls remain an oasis of well-being and a place of retreat where only one thing is on the agenda: relaxation and leisure.
Increase turnover and productivity
It is now proven that companies that invest in their office space and offer hybrid working models significantly increase their turnover. And that makes sense. After all, employees who are shown appreciation, trust and freedom by their co-workers enjoy their work more and work both more productively and more efficiently.
Today more than ever, companies need to create a pleasant working environment for their employees - and this includes office design, corporate culture, opportunities for flexible working and the provision of modern and powerful equipment. The latter is, of course, all the more important the more hybrid employees are. Without the right technology, nothing works, especially with video conferencing. The awareness that all these factors are important for employees and potential employees is arriving more and more in the management floors of this world. After all, employee retention is no longer a topic that only concerns the human resources department. Especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers, these insights must be taken seriously and addressed by the entire company.
Are you thinking about moving or refurbishing your office? Then why not contact us? At Podia, we help you pick out interiors, electronics and video conferencing systems for your company - at a monthly rental. This way you stay flexible and dynamic. Exactly what the current times require.
