Office design and technology aid productivity

Rob Day (pictured), chairman and founder of workplace fit-out consultancy Blueprint Interiors, highlights the importance of using technology in the workplace and the impact that analogue consultancy can have on productivity.

Office design has a bigger impact on productivity than many people might initially think, especially when the right technology solutions are also factored into the design.

Smart businesses are now attracting staff by providing welldesigned, comfortable offices that offer a variety of spaces and technology based on how their people work at their best.

‘Happy and motivated teams enjoy lots of job satisfaction’

They realise that happy and motivated teams enjoy lots of job satisfaction, which significantly increases productivity.

However, what works for one team or individual doesn’t always work for another. Before making changes to an office space, it is vital a workplace consultancy exercise is carried out to fully understand what is needed.

Management may have a totally different idea of what people want, and if teams are not asked what they need, detrimental decisions

New Leicester office for Freeths

National law firm Freeths has moved into a new office at Colton Square in Leicester.

The city centre site offers close transport links, as well as networking and event space to enhance the experience for both staff and clients.

It features a café, breakout areas, quiet pods and meeting room technology to suit the firm’s hybrid working policy.

The relocation follows yearon-year growth, with ongoing increased employee retention, new lateral hires and heightened client portfolios.

can be made that will not attract people back to work, help them collaborate more effectively or ensure they enjoy being at work rather than at home.

Flexible Workspaces

Offering flexible workspaces means people choose where to work based on the tools and environment they need to get a particular job done. This level of flexibility facilitates what is known as an agile workplace.

Relevant Technology

Bringing in technology helps people to do their jobs more effectively and ease of accessibility is crucial.

Following the rise of hybrid working, having the right tech is non-negotiable for an agile workplace and is often the catalyst for working efficiently at both an organisation and individual level. This could be through:

•Work cafes with Wi-Fi and power points for charging

•Meeting rooms with interactive whiteboards and remote sharing capabilities

•Huddle spaces and booths with power, light and ventilation for individual or group work

•Easy-access, cloud-based video conferencing

•Online meeting room booking systems (no more awkwardly kicking people out of your booked room!)

•LED and video walls to deliver totally immersive experiences. Whatever technology or software you choose, by consulting with your team you will ensure it’s useful and relevant.

There is also no room for tech not to work. This means adequate training is essential so that people feel confident using the tech and benefits such as improved communication, enhanced collaboration, reduced travel costs and increased productivity are realised.

Consider Wellness

The WELL Building Institute, an international organisation that has created an evidence-based set of standards to support employee wellness, says workplace design can significantly impact staff health, satisfaction, wellbeing and productivity.

When people feel better, they perform better. Tech can help improve noise, air quality, lighting and natural views.

Business Benefits

Office design, effective use of technology solutions and productivity go hand in hand. Increasingly, tech and furniture manufacturers are far more joined up in their approach to designing office furniture that already incorporates technology solutions.

So, it is vital to understand what new solutions the market has to offer. If you create a workplace that not only inspires but provides for the needs of your team, you will see many benefits for individuals and the wider business.