Thriver Blog
  • Categories
    • Company culture
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • For employees
    • News & updates
    • Providers corner
  • Podcast
  • About
Thriver Blog
  • Categories
    • Company culture
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • For employees
    • News & updates
    • Providers corner
  • Podcast
  • About
  • About
Blog home » Providers corner » New Categories: How to Sync Your Workplace Culture & Office Space
a breakdown of how to build a program around office space
Blog home » Providers corner » New Categories: How to Sync Your Workplace Culture & Office Space
  • Providers corner

New Categories: How to Sync Your Workplace Culture & Office Space

  • Thriver Blog
  • June 14, 2021
  • 4 minute read
Total
1
Shares
1
0
0

After many moons of managing scattered teams, exciting times are ahead for businesses preparing to reopen their doors once again! There’s a lot to plan and consider, and chief among them is something that has the power to completely enhance your team dynamic: your office space. With the right strategy, you can create a workspace that keeps people safe, engaged, and productive.

While it may be a challenge, rest assured that we’ve got your back. In the following sections, we’ll go over some simple guidelines to follow and share our best resources to provide the support you need throughout the process.

The Traditional Versus Forward-Looking Approach to the Office Space

Despite many rumours circulating in the business world, there’s plenty to suggest that the office isn’t dead. So there’s no need to burn your building leases or shy away from investing in physical work locations just yet! However, old office layouts and functions aren’t nearly as effective anymore and may fade away entirely in the post-pandemic world. The reason is simple: work and people’s attitude towards it have drastically shifted.

Once upon a time, traditional offices mostly emphasized maximum efficiency and getting the job done. Today, hybrid work models require spaces that seamlessly integrate onsite and remote employees, facilitate collaboration, and accommodate different work duties, styles, and personalities. Therefore, modern offices must capture some key characteristics:

  • Employee physical and mental wellness and safety 
  • Teamwork and togetherness
  • Learning, productivity and creativity 
  • Centralized access to people and information 
  • Relationship management 

Like everything else, a good office space revolves around one goal: establishing and sustaining a flourishing culture.

A Quick & Simple Guide to Upgrading Your Company Headquarters 

Reimagining your space can be tricky, so here’s a quick guide to gather information and get things in motion: 

Step One: Revisit your corporate messaging, tone & culture goals

In our article about returning to the office, we touched briefly on how leaders need to keep their ideal culture top of mind when re-evaluating their workspaces. Think about the tone and atmosphere you’re trying to create, and assess how your office’s current state adds to or detracts from that.

Note that chosen layout, amenities, and so on all provide subtle forms of communication. For example, do the design details in your building assure your staff that it’s okay to take breaks and chat sometimes during the day or unintentionally make them worry about looking unproductive? 

Remember: your office layout often speaks louder than words!

Step Two: Go straight to the source

At this point, you probably already have some thoughts about what needs improving, but what does your team think, want, and need? Design focus groups, send out surveys and circulate suggestion boxes to get their feedback and ideas. After all, the most helpful input will come from the people who these intended changes will most impact!

Step Three: Leverage what you already have

One design hurdle many companies are encountering right now is cost, which is perfectly understandable. However, while this process can get expensive, consider that you don’t have to make all the desired changes at once. Start with the most important ones. For example, it doesn’t take an entire remodelling process to improve employee safety. Stocking up on the right supplies (masks, gloves, tissues, etc.), adding soap and sanitizer dispensers, moving desks further apart and so on are relatively easy yet highly effective measures.

The same goes for making adjustments that facilitate culture building. For example, let’s say your goal is to create a more easygoing, friendlier climate. Simple changes like setting up individual booths, changing an empty room into a yoga space, or preparing an outdoor area for sitting down and socializing (with social distancing measures in place) can make all the difference. 

Step Four: Bridge gaps with the right technology 

It’s pretty safe to say that hybrid work models aren’t going anywhere, so innovative, people-focused technology is the key to creating a healthy, sustainable blend of onsite and remote activities. It’s also essential for fully integrating everyone in your team, keeping them safe, and helping them produce their best work. Consider investing in:

  • Productivity and collaboration tools 
  • Team building experiences 
  • Wellness apps and other health boosters
  • Low-touch or no-touch amenities for safety 
  • Ergonomic furniture and equipment

Again, if you have a tight budget, take baby steps. Focus on the most impactful areas first, then work your way down the list.

Step Five: Collect feedback, evaluate and adjust 

Right now, a lot changes by the day, so workspaces must be flexible and adaptable. Once you get your preliminary plan together, make the changes and monitor progress. The perfect office design doesn’t happen overnight, so keep gathering worker feedback and making adjustments. 

New & Upcoming Office Space Resources to Fast-Track Your Workspace Transformation

If all that sounds daunting, you’re not alone! 

You might have heard that we’ve been working on some new services to help employers safely and smoothly reintegrate everyone back into the office. The following resources will help demystify the office space and design process:

Available now:

  • Rethinking Your Office Space: sign up for a full-day session deep-diving into what to expect in the post-pandemic workplace and how to prepare 
  • Immersive Design Workshop: access a galore of unique office configuration and other ideas, as well as consulting services to develop a tailored design plan

Available soon:

  • Home Office Design: revamp your at-home workspace in a way that ensures maximum productivity and caters to your personal style
  • Full-Service Office Design: consult with expert commercial designers that will develop and execute a thorough, step-by-step strategy to create a safe, optimal office space for your clients and stakeholders
  • Zoom Backdrop Design: enjoy greater confidence in front of the camera with the right set up in place, from lighting to furniture placement

Despite the many recent challenges, there’s at least one silver lining: the pandemic has created a chance to slow down, reevaluate and reinvent. Take this opportunity to identify and make the necessary improvements to your company operations in preparation for the good times ahead!

Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 0

Share

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Total
1
Shares
Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
You May Also Like
View Post
  • 5 min

Introducing Wellness & Professional Development Event Series to Thriver

  • Thriver Blog
  • March 2, 2022
New navigation of the Thriver marketplace
View Post
  • 3 min

New Year, New Look – Platform Update

  • Thriver Blog
  • January 24, 2022
workplace culture product image with women practicing yoga
View Post
  • 8 min

Why Thriver is the Leading Catalyst for Workplace Culture Change

  • Thriver Blog
  • November 1, 2021
A group of people in a holiday decorated room, smiling ad talking
View Post
  • 14 min

23 Virtual Holiday Party Ideas for Work in 2021

  • Thriver Blog
  • October 21, 2021
View Post
  • 4 min

OpenClear Highlights the Importance of COVID-19 Screening in Workplaces

  • Thriver Blog
  • September 9, 2021
Screen-grab of july product updates at Thriver
View Post
  • 3 min

July Product Updates for Frictionless Coordination & Greater Autonomy

  • Thriver Blog
  • July 8, 2021
a fun selection of remote-friendly team activities
View Post
  • 2 min

Top Remote-Friendly Team Activities Customers Loved Last Quarter

  • Thriver Blog
  • July 5, 2021
female coworkers enjoying company team events
View Post
  • 2 min

Psst! Have You Tried These Team Events Yet?

  • Thriver Blog
  • June 29, 2021
Expert section
  • Two women laughing with a man showing them something on his iPad

    30 Best Team-Building Activities for Work in 2023

    View Post
  • cut-out paper hearts on a table

    Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas for the Office in 2023

    View Post
  • Employees smiling while having lunch in the office

    20 Company Lunch Catering Ideas for Your Office

    View Post
Subscription Form

Sign up for our newsletters and get notified of the best deals.

Trending Posts
  • Image says Culture Calendar and lists several dates and celebrations like Valentine's Day and St.Patrick's Day 1
    Your Company Culture Calendar for 2023
    • November 9, 2022
  • People celebrating in the office 2
    The Return of the Company Holiday Party in 2022
    • November 8, 2022
  • 3
    27 Fun Virtual Team Building Activities for Your Remote Team in 2022
    • October 6, 2022
  • 4
    34 Return to Office Gift Ideas to Welcome Employees
    • January 10, 2023
  • Sashimi rose with sliced cucumbers on a wooden plate 5
    20 Company Lunch Catering Ideas for Your Office
    • October 27, 2022
About
Thriver is the trusted marketplace to get inspired, plan, and manage your workplace services.
Learn more
Services
  • Catering & Pantry
  • Team Activities
  • Professional Development
  • Health & Wellness
  • Gifts & Swag
  • Office Space
  • Health & Safety
  • Offsites & Retreats
Newsletter

Get industry insights and ideas to keep your team engaged.

Company & Resources
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Contact us
  • Culture expert
  • Press
  • Help Centre
  • Podcast
Customers & Product
  • Features
  • Our providers
  • Why Thriver
  • Browse now
  • Customers
  • Success stories
  • Communities
Providers
  • Become a provider
  • Provider certification

Input your search keywords and press Enter.