Intro: The Evolution of Workspace
Mark founded and operates a successful human resources company headquartered in Washington, D.C. But he soon realized that some projects required a retreat from downtown. Flexible office and meeting space let him take teams and clients off-site, work independently, and schedule days around his side gig: coaching functional fitness and Olympic lifting.
Insley is CEO of a wellness company that demands a work environment to support their mission in form and function. She found just that in a coworking concept: desks, one-on-one meeting spaces, facilities for seminars, and a gym with sauna, thermal therapy, showers and locker rooms, all eclectically designed. A rooftop terrace imbues, client and investor meetings with a little fresh air.
Kim is a brand guru and community connector. She outgrew local coffee shops for a dedicated desk in a coworking space. The energetic hive of fellow professionals fuels brainstorming sessions and client presentations. And access to light-filled meeting rooms and healthy dining options nourish her team’s productivity.
Will, owner of a multi-media production business, calls headquarters a dedicated office that includes as-needed desks for project-based freelancers – sometimes two, sometimes 12. The arrangement allows Wesley to scale to changing client needs without unnecessary overhead. He bikes to work and uses the locker room to shower and start his day.
The world of Sit in this greige cubicle! Commit to an ironclad three-year lease! Hold start-up meetings at Panera! is transforming for the better. Technology and emerging business models have freed people from conventional set-ups and opened the door to workspace that’s nimble, service-oriented and tailored to how people and businesses thrive.
Perfect solutions are as individual as the people who seek them. The answer depends on the industry, seasonality, time zones, family schedules, lifestyles - and the ever-present budget. Individual entrepreneurs and small and medium size enterprises are abandoning kitchen tables, coffee shops and spare bedrooms for the infectious vibe of working alongside other minds. Growing companies want inspiring modern environments, the flexibility to scale without long-term commitment, and ‘round-the-clock amenities like gyms, saunas, bike parking and healthy dining.
A little history.
The evolution of workspace is an anthropologist’s playground. What was born out of the Ford Motor Company assembly line – expressly to fuel mass production – morphed into the cubicle culture of the 1950s and 1960s. Mazes of isolating cubicles, windowless board rooms and corner offices spawned bureaucracy, robotic workdays and conspicuous hierarchy. The result? Restlessness, distrust, monotony, stagnation and burnout. Sound familiar?
Today’s watchwords are creativity and diversity of thought. Smart businesses fuel intellect, not labor, with a holistic workday (and night). To compete for talent, businesses provide workspaces that will keep them ARM’d – Attracting, Retaining and Motivating personnel.
When was the last gold watch given out? Probably to your grandfather. Today’s workers, particularly those born after 1990 (we will not use the M word) are more mobile, untethered, yet more connected to the world economy than ever before. They know how to be productive from anywhere and, despite some depictions, are highly motivated. Adapting workplace environments and policies that align with this new generation is an element of what’s driving the Evolution of Office Space Workspace.
Flexibility, individualism and mobility are boss. Technology is empowering the new dynamic and enabling a level of productivity never seen before in human history. Our mission is to delight business owners, property owners and employees with workspace that allows them to lead their industries, and unlock economic potential.
This article is an introduction to a 5-part series covering
1) The new language of office space
2) Whether the concept is a myth or movement
3) New workspace as a business model
4) The adoption curve for flexible workspace
5) A look into the future of this modern way to work and win
Good news, Dolly. Working 9 to 5 is a thing of the past. Welcome to 24/7, anywhere, anytime, with space that opens the door to inspiration, harmony and success.