You’re probably used to an office looking a certain way: each employee is confined to his or her own cube space. The walls are high, and the lights are dim. Employees can’t see or talk to each other from where they sit. Today’s most productive offices, however, don’t look like this anymore. More and more companies are opting to take down the walls—a physical change that leads to a deeper shift in your company’s infrastructure. With an open work plan, your company’s morale, culture and productivity level can all see major improvements. A workspace that’s balanced and designed to satisfy the needs of the company and the employee is what the next generation of workers need and expect.
This shift in mentality stems from the way that the skilled workers of today grew up. They live in a world of instant gratification where they expect to both access information and resources and socialize online. Unlike the generation before them, they can effectively work anywhere—from their kitchen table to a subway to a local park. They were raised with educational programs that promoted team and collaborative work, many of which were conducted in wide-open spaces. It makes sense then that they expect a similar environment in their workplace. For them, a high-walled, closed-door cube or office space with limited access to information or co-workers will hinder their productivity.
Thus, it’s imperative to redesign your company’s work environment to make it more enjoyable, collaborative and fun. Take a note from Google, a company that pioneered this strategy with the launch of yoga classes, basketball courts, and even a bowling alley at its Mountain View, California campus. On a less extreme level, many companies today serve free breakfast and lunch; have a ping-pong table; or, provide couches for relaxing during the workday.
It’s important to realize that even minor changes can greatly impact both your workers’ morale and their productivity, making your entire company run more smoothly. The perfect start is to bring down those walls or to create quiet, collaboration spaces. You may also opt to eliminate offices and workstations for any employee who’s out of the office 50% of the time or more. In the end, you may be surprised at what taking down the walls—and ultimately, the barriers—between workers can do. You’ll not only enhance flexibility for your workforce, but you’ll also see a direct impact to your bottom line.
