Supercharging Workforce Productivity Requires Vibrant Workplaces

Technology innovation is entirely reliant on great people and a high-performance team environment. Today the demand for suitably qualified and experienced engineers is overwhelming the marketplace and tech companies find it a real challenge to recruit and retain the right people.

There are many factors in play here from the obvious like the package and how exciting the work is, to the flexibility of working practices and the opportunity for development. Perhaps surprisingly given a couple of years ago, the office was declared dead, the workplace is once again becoming a significant factor in productivity and job satisfaction.

Cre8tive Space offices — Cre8tive Space/Mike Green

Of course, flexible working practices and the use of virtual environments have improved many aspects of collaboration and enabled many to work where once they could not, and Teams/GoogleMeet/Zoom etc are brilliant for routine business, but not for problem-solving or ideation. Companies are starting to recognise (remember) the power of diverse teams, enabled by appropriate infrastructure - both physical and digital - and face-to-face where you can sense the mood, who needs to contribute but won’t, where you can see the discomfort or delight, far outstrips the output from a virtual gathering.

As we press forward in the workplace’s new era, well-being continues to emerge as a critical factor for both employee satisfaction and organizational success. Even more so now this is a two-way contract – if you expect your team members to fully commit to your outcomes then you need to fully commit to them. Give them everything they need to perform and enjoy the environment in which they work when they come to the office, if you don’t someone else will.

Answer this, is hot desking about saving money or about making an employee feel valued and a permanent part of the team?

Companies increasingly recognize that the well-being of their employees directly impacts productivity, engagement, and retention rates, something that should perhaps have been second nature all along.

What Makes a Workplace Productive?

Productivity takes many forms: teamwork, reflection time, focused delivery periods, and learning actions. Without taking these elements of productivity into account, the more clear quantifiable indicators like revenue will take a hit.

Each of these requires a different environment to support an organisation’s desired outcomes. For instance, teamwork thrives in open and accessible meeting rooms, while reflection and focused work benefit from quiet, comfortable spaces.

There’s ample science supporting the role of lighting, comfort, and proper breaks in boosting human performance. However, the crux of productivity lies in an environment that makes employees feel valued and supported like their contributions to the output of the company are appreciated beyond just receiving adequate pay and benefits.

Creating a Supportive Environment

Therefore, it is vital to invest in facilities that are enjoyable to work in. While hot-desking works well for certain team structures, particularly when teams occasionally come together, it can make individuals feel like temporary additions. Considering the way your staff communicate, network, and create is vital to understanding what structure will suit them best.

Recognizing that individuals work differently is crucial. Visual workers benefit from wall-to-wall whiteboards and displays to organise thoughts and strategies, whereas more technically driven teams may greatly benefit from screens, and engaging clean computer labs.

Encouraging In-Person Work

We need people back in the office, but if staff feel forced to return, they may be less productive.

Getting people back into the office requires true leadership and thoughtful planning. Identify roles and outcomes that require face-to-face interactions, and make those clear to your team. While much of the bulk of reporting and technical work can be managed virtually, challenging problem-solving, generating new ideas, and building critical human relationships are best done in person. Leaders need to present a compelling case for in-office work, emphasizing the unique benefits of face-to-face collaboration and encouraging their teams to want to be back together.

Leadership’s Role in Productivity and Wellbeing

This push for productivity through workplace innovation has to be led from the top.

Effective leadership is key to fostering a productive and healthy work environment. Leaders must understand the specific needs of their team and create an environment that caters to these needs. True leaders own the risk and support their team, encouraging them to stretch boundaries without fear of repercussions, while also setting an example of interaction, positivity and presence in the workplace.

Recognising Individual Needs

Every individual works differently, and a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. For example, some employees might be more visual and benefit from wall-to-wall whiteboards and displays to organise their thoughts and strategies.

Others might prefer a more digital setup. Recognizing and accommodating these individual preferences can lead to a more productive and satisfied workforce, and working with office management to implement these changes and consider them regularly can be highly beneficial for your team.

Fostering Trust

Open communication is crucial for productivity and well-being. Leaders should encourage every team member to contribute their thoughts without fear of judgment. Often, the best ideas come from those who are not the designated experts in a particular field. Diversity of thought is a great enabler of productivity - if people feel heard, appreciated, and understood, their creativity can flourish and loyalty will be more greatly felt.