Designing
Where We Work When you want to reinvent the way your
organization operates, take a look at the way you work -- and your
workspace.
Peter Lawrence,
Chairman and Founder of the Corporate Design Foundation, writes a
column on office design for Fast
Company. There have been a number of recent articles about how
the individual's personal space at work is "shrinking," and the
articles cite cost reduction and better use of technology as the
cause. What these articles usually miss is the fact that the design
of the office is a powerful but underutilized resource that can
enable people to work better and smarter.
Mr. Lawrence
cites examples of three companies that have redesigned their
workplace as part of an effort to reinvent their corporate culture.
They shared at least two common objectives: to enhance their ability
to focus on their customers and to be more innovative. To achieve
these goals, they believed that their companies had to work more
collaboratively, that there needed to be better communication, and
that it was important for every employee to feel he or she was an
important part of the organization. One thing all three companies
did was create an open workplace with no private offices and more
shared space, including large common spaces, circulation space, and
conference rooms.
Learn how these
three companies made their workplace, where we spend most of our
time, into something to look forward to!
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