Do you consider your company innovative? Do you want to encourage innovation in your employees? A new survey from Capital One Work Environment shows that you can do neither if your workspace is not up to the task. Innovative office design is critical to professionals as it drives both productivity and creativity.
The survey asked 3,500 full-time office workers nationwide what they need, want and expect from their work environment. The result was that 4 in 5 employees agree companies can only encourage innovation if their office environment is innovative. What type of environment do they consider innovative? The majority said that flexible workplace design drives better ideas, and 80% of professionals agree that they are more productive when they can change locations while working. Employees don’t just enjoy flexible design from their workplace – they see it as an essential element to their productivity.
Among office design elements that matter the most, 57% of respondents named natural light, 37% – furniture and spaces that are easily reconfigurable, and 36% – artwork and creative imagery. 30% also said that they would like to see collaborative spaces in their workplace and 25% would add rest spaces and bold colors. Additionally, two thirds of professionals agree that the design of the workplace is as important, or more important, than its location.
What does this say to employers? Innovative office design can help retain and attract top talent and increase the quality of their work. The fact that employees are ready to sacrifice a better location for a workplace environment that meets or exceeds their expectations demonstrates the importance of the issue.
Office design is not simply about branding and impressing clients and business partners anymore. It is about employee wellbeing, creativity and productivity, and an employer’s ability to attract and keep staff. Investing in flexible and innovative office design should not be considered a luxury anymore as it is fast becoming essential to a company’s success.