Activity-Based and Flexible
Fixed workspaces are a thing of the past. Find simplified answers here of the new work space.
The secret is activity-based and flexible environments.
Tips on Why to Focus on Activities vs. Stationary Desks.
Utilizing a space can be confusing, so getting the future right is essential.
Before Covid the workplace was already going through a major disruption. Flexible, coworking and timeshares were already increasing in demand. Now this has been accelerated.
Activity-Based Working
This form of working is based on employee needs. Among these are workstations, meeting places, an emphasis on conference rooms, collaboration and the realization that in-office work is not needed 40 hours a week. Employees are not stationary. So while a designated desk can be nice, it is not a must have. The ability to book a conference room is.
Non traditional
Employees prefer non traditional office spaces. Crain’s reports that 71% of workers prefer flexibility with a direct correlation of collaboration and engagement. Landlords on the other hand can attract new tenants and have flexibility on how they lease. Landlords can typically charge higher than local averages on square feet and once costs are covered, the profit margin is higher.
Remote Working
Pre Covid, people working remotely was already growing. The AP reported that remote working had grown by 44% in the last five years, for a total of 7 million people. It is now estimated that 44% of the population is working from home. Regardless of how we rise from Covid and lockdowns, 68% say they want remote/flexible options, with the majority saying this doesn’t mean just “working more from home - but alternative solutions”.
Industries of Interest
Flexible and activity based options are geared more toward specific industries. DeskMag reports that 65% are under the age of 40, mostly geared toward IT, PR, Marketing and Sales. According to Work Social, freelancers mostly capitalize on coworking, but 38% of small and medium sized business and 27%. of startups are seeking flexible spaces. According to Clutch, only 22% of employees only work at coworking, meaning coworking and flexible spaces are supplemental to home and offices.
