It is getting harder and harder for companies to attract and retain the most talented employees. More organisations have begun to realise that the physical workplace is oftentimes a major draw, or drawback, for workers. A new report from CBRE reveals three things that can be done by companies to design a high-performance workplace that is suitable for all team members.
“There are a variety of approaches to satisfy the high expectations of talented employees, while controlling or reducing real estate costs,” Mr. Peter Andrew, Director, Workplace Strategy, CBRE Asia Pacific, stated in a press release. “The best approaches are people-centric strategies that embrace diversity, choice and community.”
Balancing “Me” and “We” Spaces
The CBRE report states that a key trait of a high-performance workplace is the providing of a range of different workspaces to balance individual, “me”, work and collaborative, “we”, work within the same office. People must be able to choose where and how they work depending on the tasks they need to complete.
Designing an Inclusive Workplace
All considerations, including employee diversity, age, gender and life stage, must be factored in to make a modern office more inclusive than traditional office solutions. Organisations are urged to consider amenities appropriate for a diverse group of employees and encourage them to participate in the design stage of an office.
Connecting the Workplace with its Surroundings
The report added that a successful office will find ways to strengthen the employees’ sense of belonging to the community. With mobile working becoming more commonplace, the quality of the space outside a building is more important than ever before. These areas must be utilised to allow workers a greater number of places to work and socialise.
“Building owners need to work in closer alignment with tenants to create new leasing options that provide greater ability for tenants to manage volatile headcounts,” Dr. Henry Chin, Head of Research, CBRE Asia Pacific, said. “These can include mixing core-leased spaces with short-term alternative workplaces and other facilities that enhance the experience of the people using the building and the surrounding precinct. More than just providing spaces, landlords can provide events and experiences that enhance the every day experience of building users.”
