In This Rapidly Changing World, Agile Working Is the Key to Survival
Agile working is based on the notion of bringing together people, processes, places, and technology to find the most efficient ways to carry out tasks. In particular, the environment of the office supporting employees to work in this way. Providing office spaces such as private spaces and meeting rooms to support this new flexible working style.
Nicknamed the “new way of working”, agile working or “smart working” utilises the benefits that can be gained from creating new working environments. Allowing teams to develop solutions in efficient, flexible and swift ways by creating spaces that allow employees to do this.
It aims to create frictionless user experiences for the workforce, enabling employees to work when, how and where they like for their organisation by creating spaces that allows them to do this.
What are the key benefits of agile working?
The CIPD has connected agile working to productivity improvements.
This can be created through channelling flexibility within the workplace, creating open office layouts, and providing a variety of different spaces where people can do their best work. Creating this type of environment can encourage collaboration, and open communications; allowing people to be more productive and creating a healthy working environment.
To create an agile environment, employees must feel empowered at all levels to collaborate. This can be achieved through innovative solutions in your workplace such as new meeting spaces or open-plan office areas. By ensuring open and continuous communications, it allows more opportunities for idea and knowledge sharing within the workplace.
However, management needs to embrace this concept of people working in spaces best suited for their task in order for agile working to be successful. For example, recently Barclays has moved away from tracking the time employees spent at their desks. Representing that the old-fashioned idea of ‘people having to be at their desks to be working’, is quickly becoming irrelevant.
It has been found that companies can perform better than non-agile working companies as they are better equipped and motivated to respond to rapid changes and learn from mistakes. It can also give organisations an edge over its competitors.
Finally, agile work environments can enhance the recruitment and retention of staff. Creating spaces where employees can work in ways that best suit them can improve employee satisfaction and promote as an appealing place to work.
Key Suggestions:
Organisations can achieve a variety of benefits by switching to agile working.
Updating the office environment is the first starting block to agile working by creating new office spaces to engage, empower and cater to workforce needs.
Agile working represents a new shift in the nature of work and if organisations wish to remain competitive, they should begin a shift to this flexible working or risk being left behind.
If you would like to discover more about our innovative workplace solutions which can kick-start your agile working, visit us today.
Our showroom is spread over 2 floors and is recognised as one of the best in the South of England with over 20 different displays of office interior design ideas and office furniture.
If you’d like to visit our showroom, please book a visit online or call 02392 489 933.
