2023 - It’s Time To Look Beyond Productivity

As each year comes to a close, we gain new insights and perspectives for the future. In recent years, this statement has been particularly true as we have seen drastic changes in the way we work. In 2020, we saw a sudden shift to remote work. In 2021, we focused on understanding and adjusting to these changes. And in 2022, we applied what we learned and worked towards bringing people back to the office. Despite these shifts, one thing remains the same: work needs to be done by people who need to come together in physical spaces in order to be most effective. In 2023, workplace designs are going to be centred around this very concept.

The Emergence of the Magnetic Workplace:

Gray Puksand coined the term ‘magnetic workplace’ which suggests that the need for in-person collaboration will lead to a change in how we measure the success of workplaces and employees. Traditional metrics such as utilization and efficiency will no longer be relevant. Instead, success will be determined by the satisfaction of employees, as the modern working space must now serve not only as a place of work but also as a space for self-actualization and fostering creativity. Productivity and efficiency will still be important, but effectiveness in terms of stimulating employees to think and explore will be key.

A magnetic workplace is one that utilizes the space and the experience of being in that space to attract staff, instead of obliging them to be there. It's a workplace that is undeniably more effective at boosting an individual's performance than, for example, working from home, ultimately making the space so desirable that it is the obvious choice for all involved.

Many people find that they have better focus while working from home. This can be achieved in the office as well with the incorporation of ‘focus pods’ into the design of the ‘magnetic workplace’. However, it can be argued that the workplace should instead prioritize creating spaces for interaction, rather than mimicking the isolated focus achieved at home. A magnetic workplace  is exactly that, an environment that caters to all needs of an employee, thereby making it the most effective place to work and be effective.

Impressing Employees and Clients alike:

A ‘magnetic workplace’ not only attracts employees but also clients by providing a curated and memorable experience through its office interior design. It highlights the organization's brand without diluting it. The design is intended to elicit an emotional response and emphasizes the organization's brand, making the client experience unique and easily understood without the need for additional explanation. The resulting improvement in the quality of work and dedication of the employees thanks to an effective workflow is certain to get noticed by clients as well.

The key aspect is to prioritise effectual communication in designing a workplace that encourages effective work and a positive environment to fulfill that work. The design should not follow a one-size-fits-all approach, instead, it should be customized based on design thinking and a deep understanding of the needs of both employees and clients, which is what keeps them coming back. A positive work environment doesn’t just influence the work culture, but also instills in the minds of clients a sense of trust, credibility and empathy the organisation has towards them - and this should effectively reflect in not just the people, but also the space they work in. To that end, it is essential to hire the right team of designers for an organisation and its employees to consult and design an office interior with the right elements and micro-environments to keep the employees and clients interested.

Effective Workflow facilitated by Micro-environments:

As the nature of work and the purpose of the workplace change, traditional measures of success such as productivity are being questioned. With hybrid working and increased autonomy in terms of where and how employees work, productivity may be high, but a greater emphasis should be placed on being effective rather than efficient. The purpose of the workplace has shifted towards enabling autonomy and fostering an environment for thinking, analysis, and problem-solving, to look beyond productivity. Micro-environments are a way to create a more effective workforce by providing an adaptive modern office interior design that allows teams to shift into different environments based on their work needs. These micro-environments are present within the same office, providing a variety of connected spaces for both private and collaborative work.

Micro-environments are spaces that have been created for a particular activity. Designing them involves considering specific design details and determining the necessary space requirements. This can be done through a visioning session with the client, where they can describe their typical workday and their needs. The office interior can then be designed while keeping these needs in mind. Some examples of a micro-environment are a hyper-focus zone meant for tasks that require complete focus without distractions or a work cafe which offers an ambience completely opposite to that of a focus zone for distractions, collaboration and to enable the employee to just think and chill.

Conclusion

A dynamic work environment that is designed based on the "Magnetic Workplace" office design concept can act as a catalyst for transforming the culture of an organization. The workplace therefore becomes an ecosystem of experiences, encouraging employees to return to the office, ultimately leading to a more effective organisation.

Space Matrix employs some of the best talents in the industry who understand the changing needs of a modern workplace. Need to revamp your office in 2023? Talk to our experts today!