property 49 Realising your workspace potential
Is your work space being used to its full potential? asks Mark Llewelyn Jones, partner, Vail Williams LLP
Do people actually interact in your breakout areas or do they prefer the kitchen? Do you have to hide in a meeting room if you want to concentrate on your work? Or do you want or need to change the way that your organisation works? Does the layout of your workspace support your changes?
The spatial layout of your workspace can bring people together or keep them apart, help them interact or prevent them from communicating. Every partition and piece of furniture affects the space you work in; they can change the way people communicate and the flow of work around your organisation. Historically the link between real estate and other corporate functions such as HR, IT and business operations have revolved around fitting these functions into a space.
The manipulation of an occupier’s real estate portfolio is increasingly being used as a driver for change
in the workplace. Occupiers use real estate to enhance the culture of the organisation and in doing so improve work practices. If this is undertaken successfully the positive effect on employees can translate through to the perception of an organisation to its customers and suppliers.
Every occupier provides a workspace experience, be it good, bad or indifferent. In most cases these experiences are a combination of a number of disconnected decisions, policies and processes. The real estate team’s role is to be proactive in aligning these to build a stronger culture and sense of belonging, demonstrate that people are valued in the organisation and ensure that the infrastructure and business processes are fit for purpose.
In achieving these objectives through the manipulation of the workspace the corporate real estate
accommodation, amenities, values and culture.
3 Enhance the work experience.
4 Create a plan to achieve the defined goals.
team will contribute improved performance and in doing so help an organisation attract and retain talented people. To achieve this the team needs to have regard for four key steps:
1 Create an aspiration for the work experience – identify where investment should be made and why.
2 Identify how an organisation touches its people – how does the organisation impact on its employees through IT,
The importance of the quality of workspace to an organisation's performance cannot be underestimated. The work place is an integral part of people’s lives and they need it to work with them rather than against them. The physical environment and the interaction of people is a fundamental part of the work experience and to retain and attract talent, organisations will need to focus on maximising their workspace’s potential.
Details: Mark Llewelyn Jones 0118-9097446
mllewelynJones@vailwilliams.com
For more information about Vail Williams LLP, visit:
www.vailwilliams.com
Thatcham RG19 4ND
Fully
Refurbished Storage/
Distribution Unit
TO LET
63,708 sq ft 5,918 sq m
• Exceptional eaves height • 9 loading doors • Large secure yard
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JULY/AUGUST 2014 1 Aylesford Way ad v2A 133 x
188.indd 1
www.businessmag.co.uk 09/06/2014 14:48
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