Three Things Your Rivals Can Teach You About Office Design

With corporate giants like Google setting the trend for innovative offices, more and more companies are looking to create inspiring workplaces in a bid to increase productivity, boost morale and gain a competitive edge. However, that’s often easier said than done. If you’re struggling for ideas on how to transform your office, it might be time to turn your attention to your opponents for design inspiration. What are they doing better than you? What are you getting wrong? To help you stay ahead of competition and create a boast-worthy workplace, here are three things your rivals can teach you about office design.   1. Comfort is key   It may seem like an obvious point, but it’s surprising how many businesses overlook the importance of their staff’s comfort. When you consider that most of your employees spend the majority of their day sitting in front of a computer, it’s important to invest in high quality furniture if you want to get the most out of them. Ergonomic office chairs that are adjustable by height and tilt are a must in today’s offices, as are spacious desks that allow enough room for workers to carry out their tasks comfortably.   Having adequate furniture will not only enhance your employees’ experiences and foster a more productive workforce, but it will also give the right impression to clients and other third parties when they visit your office.   2. Place more importance on fun   Long gone are the days of depressing office cubicles and drab boardrooms. A new era of fun, dynamic workplaces is upon us with an increasing number of businesses finding a balance between work and play. If you want to get those creative juices flowing and boost productivity, you need to think beyond the traditional desk and chair set up and turn your attention to more stimulating surroundings.   Whether it’s a games room, a relaxing break-out area or an on-site gym, having recreational spaces where employees can socialise, recharge and temporarily escape their workstations will work wonders for staff morale. Ok, so maybe you won’t be punching alongside Google with gigantic slides and fireman’s poles, but by including fun areas within the office environment, you’ll have a far happier and more efficient workforce.   3. Flexible workspaces   If you’re not doing it already, now might be the time to change to a flexible seating plan. For many companies, the secret behind their success is providing staff with alternative workspaces. By choosing not to have allocated seats, your personnel will be encouraged to have impromptu meetings and mix with other departments, which can boost collaboration and improve your company culture. Not only will you be encouraging teamwork among different employees, but you’ll also be catering to their different work requirements. By having a mixture of private working spaces and open plan seating areas, your staff will feel like they have a choice in how they work, which can lead to increased performance.   By following these tips, you should be able to match your rivals in terms of office design and create an environment that your employees love to work in.