Open office spaces have become the trend over the past decade with the emergence of trends such as Googlization and freeform thought. Many companies believe that allowing workers to be in the same space allows them to collaborate and connect more. According to research conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab, the probability of two or more people in a corporate setting interacting depends on the distance between their desks. Moreover, according to sociology, proximity predicts social interaction. This is the effect that open spaces have on workers.
Take a look at the five reasons why open workspaces are better than private workspaces:
- Easier Communication
According to a study conducted by the Harvard Business Review on Fortune 500 retailers, only “10% of all communications occurred between employees whose desks were more than 500 meters apart.” This connotes that workers should ideally be sitting on the same floor and in the same space for them to be able to communicate more. With open workspaces, workers will be able to talk more without the necessity of heading down to another office to have a brief discussion.
- Increased Collaboration
A major software company discovered that 90% of face-to-face communications occurred at people’s desks, while only 3% occurred in meeting rooms. When working in open office spaces, workers will be in close proximity to each other, allowing them to collaborate more, have meaningful engagements throughout the day, and be more productive.
- Brings a Sense of Equity and Unity Among Workers
According to Dr. Susan McDaniel, a psychologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, “no one person has the skills or knowledge to accomplish all that we want to accomplish.” This implies that in order for organizations to accomplish more, they must pool competent individuals who each have the necessary skill to complete a task. To this end, open office spaces can be helpful. This kind of office enables workers to communicate and collaborate more, evicting social walls and allowing them to work more as a team.
- Boosts Employee Morale and Productivity
Where workers are able to work well together as a team, a healthy workplace can be had. According to research conducted by the American Psychological Association, having happily engaged workers is “good for a company’s bottomline.” Industrial psychologist Dr. Tom Wright also recognizes that people are more productive when psychologically well and happy. This clearly shows that open office spaces, while allowing workers to collaborate, can also increase their morale and productivity.
- Reduces Costs
Working in open work spaces is economical; it allows organizations to reduce costs on rent and construction. Unlike working in private offices where cubicles take up a lot of space, working in an open workplace will maximize the use of the workplace without needing to construct private spaces or renting more rooms.
Where to Find the Best Open Office Spaces
The best open office spaces can be found in prime locations, such as in the heart of Dubai, a growing business hub. Offices in Dubai Marina, such as that of myOffice, provide fully furnished offices that fit the requirements of business firms. They provide facilities and supplies which workers can use in the conduct of their work. Moreover, to increase collaborations, myOffice welcomes its tenants to increase their network by allowing them to join regular networking events that would develop business connections.
With the best open office space in place, the productivity and employee engagement are sure to be accomplished.
Leave a Reply