The way we work is changing. Instead of rigid working patterns, the modern employee is increasingly mobile and working from a range of locations and work settings. For instance, 34 per cent of global employees regularly work from places such as internet cafes and co-working spaces, while 54 per cent work from home on a regular basis, as we found through our recent global study, Workplace – Powered by Human Experience.
With the lines between work and home becoming blurred, organisations are creating workspaces as they would a house: with the human experience front of mind, be it breakout rooms for relaxation or incubator pods to help get the creative ideas flowing. Business leaders have come to realise that workspaces need to be engaging, fulfilling and empowering human places.
And as our homes reflect who we are as people, our offices should reflect the ethos of our companies too. Workspaces are more than just bricks and mortar – they are the very heart and soul of an organisation. You wouldn’t want the abiding memory of your offices to be the dull and unpleasant whirr of a printer, but one that is energising, with a buzz of human activity.
If we want our staff to be inspired, we need our offices to be inspirational. How? Begin by going back to basics – the very basics of the human life: our senses. Whether it is colourful, evocative walls that trigger our sense of sight; soft carpets that stimulate our sense of touch; special scents to enhance our sense of smell; freshly ground coffee in the café to tease our sense of taste; or carefully attuned background music to wake up our sense of hearing. The senses need to be kept front of mind when creating stimulating spaces to work, collaborate, concentrate or simply escape. The key to creativity and communication between staff comes from focusing on what inspires them and providing what they need in their working life.