According to Bech Johnson from Haworth's research and innovation team "Offices tend to promote only one kind of work. They are either open and collaborated or highly segmented. It's about finding the right balance between those two types of spaces while also providing spaces for respite."
Read More
As we come to the end of 2017, we take a breath and reflect on the wonderful year that it has been.
Thank you to the amazing clients who continue to partner with us. Director level service is key to what we do and we pride ourselves on the support and expertise we bring to your design journey.
A recent survey on workplace engagement has found that only one in five employees is truly engaged with their workplace. A large part of this is due to modern workplaces being too complex.
In these simple workplaces, employees can get their work done more easily, feel more productive and fulfilled which in turn creates ‘brand champions’ who tell anyone who cares to listen about the benefits of working for their organisation.
Read More
Workplace technologies are evolving at a rapid pace. Emerging technologies allow people to work smarter and be more productive. These include:
To fully take advantage of new technology, businesses need to start thinking about how they will be working in the future.
Fujitsu, in tandem with Microsoft, Citrix and PAC have commissioned a report on key trends that are impacting on the future of work. One of the key areas investigated was social change and the shift towards flexible working.
Read MoreNearly one-third of knowledge workers currently employ some form of automation. Unlike their blue-collar counterparts, knowledge workers are embracing AI and Automation as a way of making their jobs easier and more fulfilling.
4 out of 5 knowledge workers believe that workplace automation will allow them to better focus on doing their jobs, that's according to Workfronts annual 'The State of Enterprise Work' report.
Read More
The ideal workplace showcases innovative and inventive design. That’s according to a new report by financial firm Capital One.
The report was based on a broad sample of 2,500 American professionals and revealed some of the ways that workplace design influences productivity and happiness whilst at work.
“As a data-driven company, it makes sense to get insights from our major markets to ensure that our strategy aligns with the expectations of top talent”.
Read MoreCircular cities aim to eliminate the concept of waste, keep assets at their highest utility at all times, and are enabled by digital technology.
By the year 2050, over 66% of the world's population is expected to be living in urban environments (UN 2014). This will lead to an increase in the demands of urban infrastructure and resources.
Google and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation have recently launched a report into this entitled 'Cities in the Circular Economy: The Role of Digital Technolgy'.
Read More
The best business leaders share a courageous approach to running their companies. That’s according to a report from software consulting firm ThoughtWorks.
The report findings ‘underscore the critical role that technology plays in business strategy, from navigating the chaos of digital transformation to how they’re setting their business up for future success.’
Read MoreTechnology has changed the way we work. Organisations who realise this are coming out ahead. One of the ways to do this is through adopting technology and flexible working styles into the workplace.
Companies who create collaborative spaces outperform their competitors in responsive leadership and employee connectedness. That’s according to new research conducted by Nick van der Meulen (Rotterdam School of Management, Eramus University (USM) and MIT’s Centre for Information Systems Research (CISR).
Read MoreA recent report from the Boston Consulting Group 'Boosting Performance Through Organisational Design' has found six key factors of workplace design that define top performing organisations.
The study focused on what separates top performing organisations (those with high levels of growth and profitability) from other companies.
Read More
A new JLL Research study has found that 70% of employees say that happiness at work is the best ingredient for a unique work experience.
“In the future of work, experience really should be a major focus to drive a high level of satisfaction from work,” says Marie Puybaraud, Global Head of Research at JLL. “People are craving authenticity in their lives - and their careers.”
Future friendly workplace strategy should focus on the human element.
Read More
The 'gig economy' refers to employees hiring freelancers instead of full or part time staff. 1 in 6 workers in the UK are already part of the gig-economy. This number is expected to rise due to:
So what does the gig economy mean for the workplace?
Read More
On average, employee wellness programs generate returns of about 3 to 1. Over 90% of organisations were already providing employee wellness programs, and it is a trend that will continue to rise in importance as organisations compete for the best people.
Read MoreBy 2025, approximately 75% of workers will be millennials. As a result of this, employers will need to start creating workspaces that attract this younger generation of workers.
Millenials are looking for workspaces that reflect their values of:
We are busier than ever. It sometimes feels like it is impossible to take a break. Yet often, when we are at our busiest and most stressed is exactly the time we should be taking a break according to Associate Professor from Sydney University's School of Psychology and Brain and Mind Centre Dr Muireann Irish:
"Productivity these days is almost akin to being measured in a metric focused way. We are viewing it more as outputs and getting runs on the board rather than sometimes viewing it as the quality of the output itself,"
Read More
Most offices try to be places that welcome collaboration. There is a good reason for this, as collaborative environments are better for productivity.
A recent Stanford study has shown that research participants who are primed to act collaboratively stick with tasks 64% longer than their solitary peers. They also reported higher engagement levels, lower fatigue levels and a higher success rate.
“The results showed that simply feeling like you’re part of a team of people working on a task makes people more motivated as they take on challenges,” the researchers say.
Read More
How often do you think about the air you breathe?
It is probably not the top item on most manager and business owners minds, but the quality of the air we breathe has a big impact on employee productivity.
Many studies indicate that ventilation is critical to employee health. Good ventilation has been shown to reduce sick building symptoms (Headaches, Sore throats etc.), cut absenteeism and even reduce infectious disease transmission.
New research from the Harvard Business Review has now shown that it has a big impact on our cognitive abilities.
Read More
Nelson Switzer - Chief Sustainability Officer at Nestle.
Ethical Corporation's Responsible Business Trends Report has some interesting revelations writes Nestle's chief sustainability officer Nelson Switzer. Some the key trends to emerge include:
Read More
Workplace strategy has typically involved cutting costs and maintaining the status quo. In most other areas of business, a strategy of cost cutting would not be expected to achieve anything substantial.
Over 80% of the average companies costs relate to people. A small change to employee engagement or productivity can have a massive effect on a companies bottom line.
Read MoreGood managers realise that privacy and productivity are a result of empowerment and not just workplace design.A recent report from Jones Lang LaSalle investigates ways of bringing privacy into open plan offices.
Open plan offices a reality in many workplaces today. They can be great for collaboration, but often make it harder for employees to focus and to complete tasks that require privacy.
Read More
