Goodbye 2016! As we start the New Year, let’s get a rundown of ways that the office is fast evolving in 2017.
Most Offices will Go “Smart”
Smart offices aren’t limited to new infrastructures anymore. Even the old brick and beam buildings are getting better with the use of apps from start-ups and tech companies. Meeting room booking is one of the first aspects of the smart office that we might see being implemented in some office spaces in the Philippines.
These types of space management apps also set the stage for controls of everything from lighting to air conditioning. Furniture and technology are also coming together to help better support mobility in the workplace. From wireless charging at locations to the ability to connect wireless to any screen in your office, the workplace is becoming smarter to reflect the real ways that people go about their business.
Health and Wellness will be a Big Thing
From better ergonomics and considerations for natural light, wellness is changing the Filipino workplace. In the US, the WELL Building Standard has already been tested and the organization has tied up with huge partners.
Parent organization Delos has created global partnerships with HOK and real estate brokerage CBRE, which is in the process of rolling out WELL certified spaces at all of their North American locations.
Fitwel, which will be launched within this year, has already announced a partnership with Perkins and Will, obtaining the certification for all of its own US locations.
Emphasis on Acoustics and Privacy will be a Priority
With the rise in popularity of open office over this decade – offices are slowly moving back to the fundamentals of office productivity that our old cubicles provided. This doesn’t mean that open offices are going to disappear; but, it does mean that the fundamentals of productivity in the office can’t be overlooked.
The revival of privacy and acoustics in the office has manifested themselves in various ways. From the ability to provide workers with a choice that matches their work preferences and also adopting the idea of different task-based work spaces.
Management Based an Change will be a Necessity
Companies are finding that the change in processes has altered the way that organizations and people are now required to work using change management. It involves guiding employees through the types of workplace changes that will affect them, and also involving employees in the changes.
Getting feedback and being able to show employees how a changing workplace works to their advantage reap huge benefits. With this in mind, one of the keys to success is getting employee engagement early and often.
Workplaces: A Competitive Advantage
Business challenges now require multi-disciplinary teams to address complex problems in a global setting. At the same time, organizations are searching and fighting for the next generation of managers. This occurs as real estate footprints have decreased and systems – such as hot-desking – have become commonplace. This setting provides the perfect opportunity to position workplaces differently while undergoing the transition.
This setup also sends a strong message when there is a buy-in from leadership and they make moves to eliminate their own office spaces for features that everyone may benefit from. It’ s not just happening in IT or marketing firms either – everyone from lawyers to financial institutions are embracing these types of change and are finding ways to leverage their workplaces and are beginning to enjoy the benefits they bring.
