Changes afoot
Various factors are contributing towards this drastic reform, including the rise of technology, which will play a significant part in the inevitable workplace revolution. In addition to the technological advancements of today’s world of work, five generations now make up the ‘modern workforce’ - so both the workspace and the workforce are undergoing a rapid change. It is, therefore, imperative that organisations offer a working model and a workspace that can be tailored to suit the multitude of traditional and modern workers, in order to meet current and future needs.
British businesses need to embrace change if they’re to successfully rise to the challenges ahead. The onus is on business leaders to use their space more effectively in order to improve employee engagement, productivity, and general wellbeing. Being savvy with a space can also help organisations attract and retain talent, which is vital in an increasingly competitive marketplace. However, with the ever-evolving discourse and dialogue when it comes to matters of ‘work’ and ‘place’, I would argue that we are now subject to a ‘paradox of choice’. There is this deep-rooted idea that the more choice we have, the more freedom we have. Choice, therefore, has always been considered a ‘good thing’. We need to question whether this is actually the case.
The flexible nature of the new world of work
Organisations are constantly being bombarded with information, not to mention ideas, theories and notions of best practice. In addition, businesses are having to sway to the rhythm of current trends; we can work where, when and how we want; on whatever devices we want, with the people we want (and don’t want); we can communicate how we want; sit where we want; eat, drink and socialise whenever and however we want. The list goes on. Needless to say, we have an abundance of choice and this can either empower or paralyse us; it can either help or impinge our ability to cope with change.
The most important step on this journey into the unknown is having an open and realistic conversation about where a business currently sits. It’s about boiling down all the options and condensing all the choice into a simple framework that focuses on how space, people and technology overlaps. In summary, it is only through honest and open probing that businesses can truly understand how to make the most of all this choice. Organisations need to focus on the space, the people and the technology at their disposal in order to sweat their assets.
