Hybrid working

The pandemic and a looming recession are having an extremely damaging impact on workplaces. Getting rid of office space is a logical reflex but that only works as part of a smart mix of actions.
What will the working future look like? One thing that is becoming clearer is that we aren’t all returning to the office straight away, though studies have shown that working from home will remain the norm. After all, we are all seeing how well it works in practice.

Partially, but not everyone, and that is because a third of people are not that excited about working from home. Workers are complaining of fatigue, stress and an unbalanced work-life mix. People are also missing the office environment, a place to interact with others, to achieve that which cannot be achieved on one’s own.

We will probably need fewer desks and chairs, which is fairly easy to manage and can have interesting cost benefits. But these short-term savings can cause a lot of damage later, because if people are a company’s biggest asset, where will they find each other to do the work your organisation stands for?

Bricks, Bytes and Behaviour

The answer is a new type of workplace, one that may be smaller, but which stimulates social unity and enables hybrid work. Enabling employees to find the optimal balance between on and offline work, both remotely and in the office. It will also use the right technology, so that time and space do not constrain resourceful and effective teamwork.

Spacesizing: seeking the ideal mix

Removing workspace only works if what you remove (i.e. space) does not come at the expense of removing what keeps your organisation afloat (cohesion). Working from home seems to have become the new normal, even with the arrival of a vaccine and as a result, many companies will focus on where people can or must work.

It is wise to consider what type of work people do, and then determine where the work could be optimally done. This balancing act can easily give rise to mistakes. We call this method ‘spacesizing’ and we will happily guide you through it.

How it works

The spacesizing process is tailor-made for your organisation. Together, we look for the optimal balance between:

• The required space, both now and after the pandemic;
• The technology needed for responsible remote work;
• Maintaining and strengthening your social capital.

You will receive recommendations and practical instructions in three steps:

1. Calculations
We analyse your current real estate portfolio and map out your potential space and cost saving opportunities through various scenarios and for different working methods. You will receive a strategy report with our findings.

2. Fit and measurements
We examine your work patterns and employee roles using a work mode survey. We look at what tasks can be done remotely, and for which you need a physical space. That’s how we determine the size of your new workplace and the activities that should be facilitated there. 

3. Implementation
We advise you on the best strategic method for application of the changes, in addition to recommending the space you need, get rid of or adapt. We also support your employees to engage and remain engaged. You will receive an implementation plan with advice for rolling-out changes in your real estate portfolio and among your employees.

For more information on how we can help you with your office space, contact David.

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