Workplace Strategy 101

What is workplace strategy? 

There are often misconceptions about workplace strategy, what it involves and why companies should engage in this process. In this blog, we’ll shed some light on the benefits of workplace strategy and how it can help organisations in making critical real estate decisions. 

Workplace strategy helps organisations make informed decisions about their future workplace. From defining a business’ real estate requirements to supporting their operational and strategic goals, to translating these requirements into a design that is efficient, functional. Workplace strategy is the first stage of a portfolio optimisation or workplace transformation journey. 

Companies will engage in a workplace consultancy programme for various reason, some of these include: 

• Portfolio Rightsizing 
• Mergers and Acquisitions 
• Rebranding Initiatives
• Adopting New Ways of Working  
• Lease Events

Workplace consultants are your trusted partners throughout this journey. They deep dive into your specific requirements, understand your unique culture and working processes, and craft tailor-made solutions to optimise your physical workspace. This can involve various aspects of workspace design, including layout planning, interior design, furniture selection, technology integration, lighting, acoustics and wellbeing considerations.  

The workplace strategy process involves a series of workshops involving key stakeholders and meticulous data collection, encompassing occupancy data, space utilisation studies, lease data, previous surveys, and workstyle analyses.  

While the reason behind undertaking a workplace consultancy process is unique for each business, there are several benefits that are common to all programmes. Here are ten benefits associated with workplace consultancy, focused around optimising the workplace experience: 

1. Optimised Workspace Design: Workplace consultants can analyse your organisation's needs and tailor the workspace design to align with those requirements. This can lead to portfolio optimisation, efficient space utilisation, better workflow, and improved collaboration. 

2. Increased Productivity: A well-designed workspace positively impacts productivity by minimising distractions, offering comfortable ergonomic furniture, and fostering a conducive atmosphere for focused work.

3. Enhanced Wellbeing: Elements such as lighting, air quality, noise levels, and ergonomic considerations  are pivotal in creating a workplace that supports the wellbeing of employees, reducing stress levels, and absenteeism.

4. Improved Collaboration and Communication: Thoughtfully designed spaces foster collaboration and communication through tailored layouts, dedicated collaborative areas, and seamless technology integration, supporting both in-person and virtual interactions.

5. Talent Attraction and Retention: A comfortable workspace that reflects your brand influences company culture, making it easier to attract and retain top talent who value their comfort and a conducive work environment.

6. Flexibility and Adaptability: Workspaces designed with future needs in mind can adapt to changing business requirements and growth, ensuring long-term relevance.

7. Cost Efficiency: While there may be upfront costs associated with workplace consultancy, these investments can lead to long-term cost savings. A workplace strategy process can lead to a space reduction in some instances. An optimised workspace can reduce energy consumption, increase efficiency, and make better use of resources. 

8. Innovation and Creativity: Creative and innovative spaces can inspire fresh thinking and foster creativity, stimulating brainstorming sessions and encouraging employees to think outside the box.

9. Alignment with Brand and Values: A workspace should reflect your organisation's brand and values, with design elements that resonate with your company's identity, culture, and messaging.

10. Change Management: Change can be daunting and if not managed well could result in a workplace transformation not seeing it’s full potential. By engaging with workplace consultants, a business can rest assured their people are brought along the journey and can hit the ground running from day one in their new space.

Workplace consultancy  yields a host of benefits that positively impact workplace experience as well as your organisation's overall performance, employee satisfaction and wellbeing. An evidence-based workplace strategy can support you in taking an informed next step in your workplace transformation journey.  

To delve deeper into the world of workplace strategy and its transformative potential, feel free to contact us.