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The Rise of Flexible Workspaces & Smart Business Automation
The Rise of Flexible Workspaces & Smart Business Automation
Everything we know about business is changing as office structures change, remote work rises and new technology emerges. Not everyone in the office operates the same way, and some employees don’t even work within a central office. As tech integrators, Lelch Audio Video has researched some of the trends behind flexible office spaces and the role that commercial automation plays. Have you thought about how smart business automation could transform your Wayzata, MN company?
SEE MORE: 4 Professional Solutions for an Improved Conference Room
DESIGNING WORK FOR COLLABORATION
An article about workplace design in the Harvard Business Review collected performance data “using a variety of tools… that capture interaction, communication, and location information” and found that “face-to-face interactions are by far the most important activity in an office.” That face time doesn’t happen naturally for those who sit in rigid, cubicle-like environments and rarely walk into other departments.
Consequently, work spaces are adapting quickly. Today’s workplace is slowly replacing the cubicle in favor of more smart business automation techniques and collaborative workspaces. With intuitive control of technology its easier for managers and employees to adapt it to their changing needs on a day-to-day basis.
…AND COMFORT
Studies also note that employee’s satisfaction with their office atmosphere promotes higher productivity. For example, research shows that staff performs better when their office runs at their optimal temperature, and that cold employees can’t perform focused work efficiently because they’re too focused on staying warm.
Also, team members who feel secure within their workspace will likely stay at night if that’s when they’re most productive. Encourage them with the right security features to make them feel safe and create the right environment for evening work. For example, night-owl employees need blue lighting to stay alert.
Employees value flexibility, and the ability to access lighting, shades, temperature and more lets employees know you care about their comfort. Not only can access to a control system significantly improve efficiency, but it can also give team members a sense of being at home within their workplace.
TELECOMMUTING
We also must note that some people telecommute. For most remote employees, video conferencing brings a diverse staff together to meet in one collaborative space. Companies who use video conferencing demand a secure network and improved conference room equipment to reach clients and employees.
HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY HELP US COLLABORATE MORE EFFICIENTLY
Automation speeds up those once-daunting tasks and encourages business owners to make the most of every meeting. Thake interactive whiteboards as an example. From the whiteboard, presenters can show off their presentation and take notes simultaneously. Even better, colleagues can springboard ideas off the original display, add their own notes and also download and share the document.
We also want to grasp which rooms and technologies serve us best. Our partner, Crestron, has an application called Crestron Fusion that generates reports on the spaces and technology employees and clients gravitate to by seeing what they use most frequently. You’ll want this info on hand when creating or updating conference rooms.
SECURITY MATTERS
Don’t forget to protect employees who are staying extended hours or working flexible schedules with commercial security systems. Management-level employees will be given remote access to ensure that their direct reports feel safe during non-traditional office hours.
If you’re considering automation technologies to energize your office, speed up your processes and enable your workforce, we’re ready to help. To learn more, contact one of our professionals by calling (612) 353-5087, filling out our online contact form or chatting with a live representative by clicking on the bottom right.