What is a Modern Workplace?
As the digital age transforms the way we work, the modern workplace also aligns, allowing us to work just as efficiently, in a transformed office environment.
Whatever your perceptions may be of a modern workspace, it is important to remember that each office work environment will differ. Depending upon the industry, resources available and whether it has the tech-ready capabilities to deploy modern office workspace resources. Within this guide, we discuss how the office work environment has changed in recent times, and how companies are adapting to the new modern workspace.
What does a modern workplace design look like?
The modern workspace will look different for every company, and it is usually designed around a concept referred to as 'activity-based working'. This models flips traditional office work environment ideologies on their head, adapting to the ever-changing environment. Usually, the modern workplace allows employees to choose how and where they work, whether it is in the office work environment itself, or within a remote capacity. This allows for employees to work as they wish, in a way that suits them and their own individual requirements.
Flexibility of a modern workplace allows employees to no longer require an individual desk or workplace of their own. Utilising areas such as hot desks for work if they remain in an office work environment, or having the ability to work any and everywhere, either at home, or on the move.
The modern workplace, using the activity-based model, allows for the maximisation of productivity for a variety of reasons.
These can include the elimination of noise or distractions within the traditional office work environment while allowing for a flexible approach that suits each employees’ individual needs.
This format also accommodates for the on-demand culture of working, where changing needs can be met at a moment's notice. Furthermore, the key element to a thriving workforce within the modern workspace is building an organisational culture based on trust. Showcasing that employees are able to work in their own way, using their initiative to find the best, most productive means of operating in or out of an office work environment.
The Role of Technology in the Modern Workplace
With the increasing prevalence of the modern workspace within many different organisations, technology is a key driver. Productivity and digital collaboration are made easy using technology in the modern office workspace, with many different elements coming into play here. Within an office work environment, a modern workplace can include the following:
- Meeting rooms set up for video conferencing
- High-speed internet available to employees, regardless of location
- A way to access work outside of normal working hours, accommodating flexible schedules
Collaboration is also an essential part of the modern workplace. Good collaboration and communication enable companies to have the ability to attract and retain the most productive employees. Companies that successfully encourage the modern workspace in the correct way can build processes and employ tools that can improve communication, allowing for collaborative tools to be fully utilised in a way that truly works.
With technology, the modern workspace can enhance productivity and performance thanks to its 24/7 capabilities. Technology solutions aid this, and there are countless tools available to help each company, and their unique requirements.
Microsoft 365 and the Microsoft modern workplace is one of the best examples of a successful modern workplace implementation, allowing for enhanced productivity within a modern office workspace. A good example of the modern office workspace tool that is highly beneficial includes cloud bases storage systems. These can include Private Cloud, Public Cloud and Hybrid Cloud, utilising systems such as Microsoft One Drive.
Before you decide to implement any specific tool or process, it is important that you should primarily analyse the functionality that comes hand in and with them. This will assist you with the decision-making process when it comes to whether it will make the teams within this company work better together.
The Influence of COVID-19 on the Modern Workplace
More people than ever are working remotely, which has seen a dramatic rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has become evident that workers can work to a potentially enhanced capacity when working at home, which is a prime example of the modern office workspace in full force.
It's important to providing employees with high-speed internet so that they're able to perform regardless of office work environment
Even within teams who still work in the traditional office work environment, it has become evident that the modern workplace has allowed for an effective demonstration that proficient work is possible through digital transformation, across the globe. Each organisation will differ in its functionality in this respect, with many organisations still hesitant to make the transition into the modern workplace.
Some of the key areas that can be strengthened in order to increase a company’s readiness to make the modern workspace transition include ensuring your modern workplace is tech ready. It is important to achieve this by providing employees with high-speed internet, so you know they are able to perform how you would expect, regardless of office work environment.
Comparatively, teams who do work in-office need to be able to work with co-workers around the world. This is a turning point in showcasing how working from home can be accomplished.