If you’ve read a lot about different working methods within the office environment you’re sure to have heard about the latest buzz trend on the block – agile working. The thing is, agile working isn’t a flash in the pan, it’s a way of working which looks set to stay, and there are many beneficial reasons why.
To give you a head’s up on what an agile working environment looks like, this is a space which is designed for productivity in mind. It is a space which focused on the individual task at hand, and employees are given the choice of where they work and how they work in order to achieve completion of that task to the best of their ability, and to the highest standard possible.
An agile working space has an office desking system which is flexible, creative, and comfortable. It is often an open plan office design and the best office furniture is used, to ensure employee comfort throughout. Desks are not crammed into the space, they are strategically placed to ensure space between them and with certain types of working in mind.
For instance, you would have a collaborative area, with perhaps a large table and plenty of space to walk around, maybe an interactive whiteboard and a colourful, dynamic decor. However, this collaborative area would be placed away from the quiet area. Your quiet area is for closer work, work which requires focus and concentration. In this area you would perhaps have height adjustable desks, maybe office screen for privacy and acoustic panels to soak up the noise.
As you can see, we’re talking about a space which ticks the boxes for a particular task to be done properly. Quiet work will be done in the quiet zone, and nobody will be disturbed; brainstorming and collaboration will be done in the collaborative zone, so everyone feels free to talk and throw ideas around.
An agile space is also about down time, so you should ensure there are breakout spaces for staff to relax and let off some steam before returning to work with a clear mind. In this space think colour, but also think the use of nature for calming vibes, and maybe some high stools to give that relaxing, coffee shop feel.
Agile working and the experimental workplace really overlap to some degree but agile working is about the task predominently, and giving employees the space and the equipment to do the job comfortably and in the best way. It’s about choosing where to work on that particular day, depending upon the task at hand. This isn’t like hot desking, this is a freer, more easy-going way of working, but one which has huge benefits to a business who chooses to adopt it.
An Increase in Morale?
It’s no surprise that an agile working environment is more likely to increase morale than one which dictates what should be done and where. This free way of working gives employees choice, and shows that you trust them enough to get the job done properly, how they decide to do it. All you need to do is give them the space in which to do that.
We all know that when morale is high, so is productivity, and that productivity equals profits. You could therefore argue that the strong link between morale and profits is what businesses should be focusing their efforts towards.
If you’re thinking of going agile, it’s important to plan things out first. What do you need? Where are you going to put your office chairs and other furniture? What type of office furniture do you need to purchase in addition? Planning everything out will show that you have given it true thought, and in the end, that will produce better results.
It’s also important to get the input of your employees when deciding whether or not to go agile. Making a huge change such as this, albeit a positive one, will not increase morale if you don’t consult with those who are going to be using it.
Talk to your employees, get their feedback and ideas, and work through it all together. The end result will be more than worth it!