How the Office Improves Productivity

For many, what the pandemic did in the workplace was simply accelerate a number of trends that were already present. Video meetings, co-working spaces and flexible hours were already in the ether, they just simply became new standards in a much-altered world.

Once the fever of the pandemic settled downpeople tentatively returned to the office in this new working world. Since that point, we at Ikon have been asking ourselves how we can improve the office even further. Are there key learnings about how to improve productivity that we can implement for the future? Pre-pandemic, the idea of traveling to a place of work to meet up with your colleagues to work together on a shared endeavour was something so ingrained in our collective psyche, it was rarely questioned, just understood as a given. Yet now, it seems more important than ever to make the case for the office as a place of value.

The first fundamental thing that an office can provide is a great platform for peer learning. The office as a space is rooted in the idea of sharing, be that ideas, advice, anecdotes or laughter. Working closely in person allows for both direct questions to be asked, shared and discussed, while also facilitating theunseen learning that happens through the close observation of colleagues. This is particularly important for younger staff finding their way in a company.

The office also plays an important role in engendering a strong company culture. In the office, a Project Manager will likely have more time to spend helping others around them, while also being an advocate for a positive working environment. This kind of workplace cultural influence should not be understated, it’s often one of the most important aspects of leadership roles.

A healthy office culture is absolutely critical to ensuring people can be both strong on productivity and performing at their best. Good companies understand the notion of everything being in the right place; freeing their staff to work unbridled by technical or resource related concerns. That means the technology works brilliantly, the seats are ergonomic and comfortable, the light is appropriate, the temperature is controllable, and of course, the coffee tastes great. All of these examples are things that the office can provide - a high-functioning environment where work can be elevated.

A perfect office should also have places in which employees can relax, places to reflect, or even places to play. These are also environments that are very much separate from the home, or even the home office. For many, there may be numerous reasons why working at home is both convenient and suitable for good productivity, but there is no getting away from the difficulty in separating home-life with work-life in such circumstances. The ideal office can act as a kind of antidote to home; a high-functioning space for productivity created for a modern flexible workforce.

From a workplace perspective, the last few years have been truly revolutionary. The key learnings from this period are shaping the next generation of office spaces. A focus on the next generation is also at the core of this change. It has become clear that junior staff have the most to gain from peer learning opportunities, from receiving help from colleagues, and from understanding a company culture.

Creating a robust and productive environment for them to excel in is critical to future success. Our belief at Ikon is that part of that is about ensuring that they get to work closely with senior figures. People who can provide true in-person leadership: in how they work, communicate and conduct themselves with others. In doing so, we are creating positive multi-generational spaces that bind people together: workplaces that truly thrive.