Top 10 reasons to help decide it it's time for an office makeover
Are you thinking that your office may have seen better days and that it is time for a renovation?
With a nod to retired late night television host David Letterman, Mike Warren, workplace culture consultant for Rieke Office Interiors of Elgin, recently offered his Top Ten List for office make overs.
"A renovation can usually be phased in over time, but this is how you can tell that the time has come," he said.
One
"Your top young recruits are choosing to work elsewhere once they have visited your facility," Warren stated. "Your space plays a very important part in attracting and retaining the best talent and, if you are having trouble hiring or keeping the right people, your office space might have something to do with that."
Two
"Your office gives a poor first impression and doesn't reflect the quality of the product or service you deliver. In addition, you may have launched a new brand or product but the interior messages to employees, vendors and customers do not reflect the change. Marketing and branding to your internal team is just as important," he said.
Three
"You can't see your workplace neighbor because the cubicle walls are too high - so no collaboration is possible. There is also no dedicated space (seating groupings with white or glass boards) for innovative work," Warren said.
Four
Your office is too crowded for the number of employees you need. According to Warren, a good office designer can modernize workspace configurations to meet modern needs and accommodate more employees at the same time.
Five
"You are getting employee complaints about sore backs and there is no opportunity for individuals to work standing up," Warren said. "Sitting and standing stations are the latest trend in offices in order to promote good health and innovative thinking."
Six
Your workspaces are not wide enough for dual monitors. "Many of us today are working with multiple screens and some workspaces cannot easily accommodate that which impedes work," he said.
Seven
Your workspace is so noisy that it is difficult to work. For sound, Warren said, there are soft, artistic materials that can be applied to the walls in order to absorb sound.
Eight
"You still have the rose-colored furniture, walls and/or carpet from the '80s. This one is self-explanatory," Warren said. "Many choose to have an interesting contrast of light and dark in their offices."
Nine
"Your lighting is dim and flickering and the carpet in your office hasn't been changed in 15 years and is dark with stains," he said. It's time to freshen things up.
Ten
You don't have the right tech. "Being unable to hold meetings featuring state-of-the-art technology makes a firm look archaic and that is something that no company wants in today's fast-paced world," Warren said.