Redefining the office concept: flexibility per square meter

Definitely, the current work culture has pushed us to new ways of working and collaborating. While the modern workforce is now headed for a seemingly healthier, more people-centric future, big questions remain for many businesses around the role of the office as a workspace. Therefore, many are currently redefining the concept of office .

Contrary to what we thought, workers - or "collaborators" - want to return to the office . So that hybridity manifests itself as a faithful companion of organizations . To attract and retain talent and because it allows you to find a balance between work and personal life.

Thus, it is convenient to eliminate that binary thought that only distinguished between the alternatives of face-to-face and teleworking. Now it is essential to redesign both methods and workspaces .

"I am interested in the future because it is the place where I am going to spend the rest of my life"

First of all, we must understand that a flexible organization is one that is capable of encompassing the best of face-to-face and teleworking . Working only from home can make us more productive in the short term. However, the ability to establish bonds of trust, grow in our careers through our colleagues and collaborate with them is essential.  

Without physical spaces, we ignore what is truly important beyond the objectives and strategies defined per se. How to get to know the other collaborators, align with a corporate vision and work together . Because let's face it: our dining table can never replace the teamwork or spontaneous meetings that take place around the coffee machine.

Therefore, the office must be equipped with a variety of basic services to improve the well-being and comfort of employees . In this way, they will feel more incentivized to go to the office when possible. Thus, business leaders must be able to offer experiences , a potential unifying element of their organizations.

Redefining the office concept: every Monday is different

One of the statements I like to hear the most in meetings with Witco clients comes from my co-worker Nicolas , who is a Key Account Director in Spain. When explaining the concept of flexibility to these companies, Nico always illustrates it by stating that:

“My Monday today will not be my Monday next week. Today my son is sick and I have to keep an eye on him. And next Monday the plumber will come to the house.”

And he always ends by reiterating that:  

«The companies valued as “ Great Place To Work ” are the companies that accompany their team in their day to day, and not vice versa.»

In other words, offering our collaborators services such as transportation, food, activities and events —among others— in the office, we will ensure that they are 100% focused on their work . Why? Because we will have helped them resolve part of their pending obligations and commitments. This is also called flexibility.

The importance of technology in this transition

When we talk about hybridity we talk about technology. Indeed, we need digital solutions to make offices more attractive and flexible.

In this sense, technology is the only tool capable of connecting organizations and collaborators . Both remotely and in person. It also supports all human capital and smoothes out the inherent complexity of these new ways of working.  

It should be noted, however, that today the great technological challenge for companies goes far beyond zoom and slack . And it is that the great pending task of these is to understand the needs of their collaborators . As well as keeping them aligned while creating meaningful relationships.  

Thus, it is necessary to improve the work experience and well-being by simplifying the organization and flow of teams . That is why we must respond to the requests of our teams regarding the use of digital resources in the office to optimize services and communications. This will help us continue to foster a healthy company culture.  

So let 's eliminate from our labor dictionary the definition of the office as a place where you simply carry out mechanical and individual tasks . Because the function of these spaces has changed. Because the purpose of collaborators has changed. And now it is reinventing itself as an ecosystem of spaces that is closer to a socialization center. And in which socialization, learning and collaboration are stimulated.