SPACE PLANNING & INTERIORS
But with new space booking technology and robust processes, businesses can make far better use of their space while ensuring their workers have seamless access to the facilities they need to do their jobs well.
DOES AGILE EQUAL PRODUCTIVE?
Agile working is great for workers, who wouldn’t want to avoid the rush-hour commute? But it also has cost-cutting benefits for companies including reduced travel, resulting in lower stress, lower absences and inevitably better productivity.
Even staff retention and recruitment can benefit – for instance, it’s been shown that the newest generation of workers, known as the millennials, demand flexibility in their working life and will shift jobs to get it.
In a further boost to the bottom line, flexible working can mean a company’s need for office and parking space is reduced as staff get used to hot-desking, dropping in for key meetings and working effortlessly wherever they are.
However, that’s a more complex issue than it used to be. The way we use space at work has changed dramatically in recent years, and a lot of businesses simply haven’t been able to adapt to keep pace.
Until recently, most people had a desk and sat at it from nine to five; meetings were held in formal rooms set aside for the purpose and empty at other times. Now, though, it’s different, thanks to factors ranging from, the rise of agile working to the arrival in the workplace of a young digital-savvy generation who demand flexibility.
Only around 50% of businesses take advantage of flexible working, despite its many cost-saving benefits. I believe this is because they are reluctant to shift to new working models, fearing they might disrupt business or even provoke a drop in productivity.
www.tomorrowsfm.com
“ONLY AROUND 50% OF BUSINESSES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
FLEXIBLE WORKING, DESPITE ITS MANY COST-SAVING BENEFITS.”
The starting point is taking a fresh look at the available office space, how it is used and how that can be adapted to better suit the business’ working patterns. Where meeting rooms were once purely fixed spaces, they can now also be informal areas where people can collaborate on specific projects with their colleagues.
Many businesses now need flexible working space that includes fixed desk areas for those who are still in the office all day, plus hot desk space for those who drop in and out. In addition, all of these spaces need access to the appropriate equipment – such as AV or laptops - at the right time.
“EMPLOYEES OFTEN
FAIL TO REALISE THAT SPACE IS A VALUABLE COMMODITY, AND WASTING SPACE WASTES MONEY.”
Clever designers can create the right environment to facilitate co-operative working, but without effective scheduling of space and equipment, money and time are wasted. No-one wants their staff wasting time looking for somewhere to meet.
Today’s scheduling technology, such as NFS Rendezvous Workspace booking software, gives a business a clear real-time view of what space
is available, how it is being used and how it can be best used. Staff can book space and equipment online from wherever they are – but the advantages don’t stop there.
A good workplace management system enables a business to create efficient processes that support the best space utilisation. Employees often fail to realise that space is a valuable commodity, and wasting space wastes money.
So scheduling software will give people a timely reminder that they have booked space, and ask if they still need it. It also has a check-in and check-out facility that means a room can automatically be made immediately available if the delegates don’t arrive.
And because people can book facilities alongside space, it means they know everything they need for their meeting or work will be available when they turn up, again saving time and avoiding frustration. Even catering can be booked, so if important clients are visiting, they enjoy a smooth and professional experience.
By using the reporting facilities offered by this kind of software, business owners and facilities managers can get a clear view of how their space is working for their staff, and plan ahead. Understanding in detail whether the office space is being used properly, helps you to determine whether you’re getting value out of your space.
That means you can make informed decisions on issues ranging from the size of accommodation to the equipment and furniture needed for the staff that use it. Put all of that together, and it adds up to reduced costs, a happy, well-equipped workforce and a healthier bottom line. I think most businesses would agree that as equations go, that’s a lot more attractive than empty desk.
www.nfs-hospitality.com DID YOU KNOW? • UK office space is worth £183bn
• The City of London has a 62% share of UK office capital stock
TOMORROW’S FM | 59
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