The shift in recent office space thinking has been profound.  But will the actual changes in how office space is planned and utilized be just as profound?  H Hendy, a highly respected Orange County, CA based planning and architecture firm recently put out a white paper on the look and effectiveness of a truly “blended” workforce with remote and location-based teams.  This is the most common sense view I have encountered, and I wanted to share some excerpts from their white paper.

 

“There is no prescriptive solution or one-size-fits-all answer in determining the amount of office space you will need or its configuration. Each organization will have a different solution depending on culture, leadership style and business objectives.”

 

The conversation can start with your real estate team including HR, operations and your outside, trusted real estate broker.  This time around though, have the team draft a skilled and knowledgeable planning firm like Hendy who can translate concepts to concrete plans.

 

“While it may feel like we’ve been working from home for ages, we are still in the “honeymoon” phase. Remote working in the wake of a crisis has challenged many employees to rise to the occasion, and most of us are still on our best behavior. What remains to be seen is how our collective conduct will shift over the coming months, and how well leadership will react if out-of-sight turns into out-of-mind.”

 

What seems natural now about staff working from home may present problems and complications when human nature starts to reassert itself.

 

“We all have a basic human need for social interaction and connection. From an employee standpoint, this connectivity is often tied to their company’s vision, purpose and culture. In recent years, businesses have been prioritizing building a strong corporate culture through traditions that drive employee engagement, satisfaction and retention. From all-hands meetings to cornhole tournaments and potluck lunches, these efforts have largely been location dependent. With today’s new blend of onsite and remote workers, leaders will need to find new culture-driving solutions to maintain this momentum.”

 

Company culture, shared values, and a sense of teamwork does not naturally happen when we are physically separated by miles.  Company leaders may face profound challenges in inventing new ways of being and feeling together. 

 

Take heart – with enthusiasm and a forward thinking attitude, the future of your office is very exciting, indeed.