Hybrid workspace consultancy, do I need it?

Behind the most successful and future-proof workspace transformations and office fit-outs, there is one common thread: the use of workspace consulting to build an in-depth understanding of a company’s culture, work behaviours and styles, and the brand itself.

Engaged at the start of the Design & Build phase of fit-out projects, workspace consultants specialise in immersing themselves in an organisation, using audits, substantial staff interaction and thorough data collecting.

A good consultant will understand that the office must be welcoming and accessible to all. The information that is gathered during this process plays a critical role in influencing the workspace designs and ensures that every aspect of the space serves a purpose, allowing your employees to accomplish their best work and be their best selves.

But their role doesn’t end there. Once you’ve started your workspace change journey, hybrid workspace consultants also help you teach, guide, and encourage your employees to embrace the changes that are taking place.

The Hybrid Working Model – Getting the balance right?

Hybrid working will take different forms for different firms, teams, positions, and individuals. According to research, 85 percent of employees expect to work from home at least once a week. Because most people fall into this category, we must evaluate how we might repurpose the office to meet the demands of a hybrid worker or remote worker. To do so, we must first investigate the ‘why’: why are they coming to work? This question should be at the heart of your hybrid workplace strategy, ensuring that it is people-centric and, as a result, a driver for successful hybrid working.

Hybrid Culture

For some, the COVID lockdowns were a liberating experience when we realised, we could handle practically many day-to-day tasks from home, with no loss of productivity – in some cases, even an increase. Although these proponents of remote working will most certainly spend most of their working hours at home, they will still expect the office to support them when face-to-face engagement is required, or simply when they want to rub shoulders with their co-workers again. Because their presence in the office is occasional, a workspace strategy cannot overlook their expectations; if this is done, they will feel underappreciated and detached.