June 2023 - Bay of Plenty Business News

16 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS June 2023
Making an office fit-for-purpose
As the pandemic’s tail whips its way through our
work psyche and habits, business owners are being
challenged on what constitutes a viable, marketrelevant
workplace in the bid to retain staff and attract
new recruits.
Bayleys’ national director office
leasing and real estate advisory,
Steve Rendall says after an
extended period of flux and staff routinely
working from home, business
owners are now grappling with what
today’s office should ultimately look
and feel like.
“We’re seeing a distinct flight to
quality with companies seeking better
functioning spaces to help get staff
back to the office to collaborate and
build culture.
“Some decision makers are trying
to better understand likely working
trends in the longer term before making
wholesale changes, while others
are reducing their footprints or clipping
on flex space where required.”
Jonas Brodie, director and head of
client relations at workplace strategy,
design and construct firm StudioDB,
says before designing or refitting
an office space, the questions to be
asked of clients are: what are the
overall project objectives, how would
you define success and why have an
office?
“It’s a progressive journey and we
encourage our clients to be transparent
and share their business strategy
which gives us considerable insight
into how they may look to transition
into a new way of working or remain
status quo.
“We need to have tools that measure
efficiency and performance
because what can be measured, can
be managed, so for a project to be
successful, it is vital to come up with
a data set that does this.
“We also delve into the roles of
those within the office and ask what’s
best for the individual, their team, and
the business overall so we can take
an unbiased balanced approach and
understand how activities are best
done across those pillars.”
Brodie believes sustainability is the
next big thing for office workplaces
to nail and says, “our industry needs
to be making measurable progress
on sustainability while making it less
complex and more affordable for all.”
Tim Ray, commercial manager
for Platform Consulting Group says
every business it works with has a
unique way of working in the hybrid
environment and requires a purposeful
space built around work flow and
human connection.
“The office environment now
needs to be measurably better than
the home office and be a place to
reconnect with people so we design
spaces with a welcoming entrance
incorporating a high end hospitality
experience for employees, and multiple
collaboration points to make the
commute worthwhile and to support
the office day.”
Ray says new and remodel
fitouts are investing in more flexible,
multi-functional spaces with
adaptable furniture and integrated
technology.
“Think technology-enabled stand
up/huddle spaces, digital whiteboard
spaces for a visual connection in the
open plan environment and smaller
meeting rooms with better integration
for video conferencing.
“Equally important are spaces to
disconnect from tech’, with informal
collaborative lounge space, and open
areas in the office with casual seating
Equally important are
spaces to disconnect
from tech’, with
informal collaborative
lounge space, and
open areas in the
office with casual
seating arrangements
encouraging a playwork-rest
workplace.”
arrangements encouraging a playwork-rest
workplace.
“With a 70-80 percent occupancy
rate, clients see that more space can
be dedicated to a structure that’s best
for a team approach rather than the
individual.”
Scott Compton, who leads interior
design for architects Warren &
Mahoney says the firm’s broad and
connected team knows that every
client group is a unique amalgam of
many things.
“The key questions we ask clients
now are essentially the same as they
always were, but are perhaps more
relevant today and revolve around
presence, purpose, and innovation.
“Why will your people come to
the office, what will the office need to
do and provide for your people, and
what is the unique aspiration for your
workplace?”
Compton says individual productivity,
collaboration, team culture, and
wellbeing are all inextricably linked
and businesses need as much of each
of those as they can get.
“Collaboration is the pillar that’s
still a work in progress, as virtual collaboration
can be isolating for individuals
and ideal hybrids do not yet
exist.
“We urge each client to think
carefully about the big, aspirational,
unique idea for their office environment
that will excite, inspire and
engage their people.”
Source: https://www.bayleys.co.nz/
workplace/office/insights/
making-an-office-fit-for-purpose
At Bayleys, we believe relationships are what businesses are built on and how they
succeed. We understand that to maximise the return on your property you need:
Professional property management
A business partner that understands your views and goals
Contact the Bayleys Tauranga Commercial Property Management team today.
Bayleys Tauranga
Commercial Property Management
07 579 0609
jan.cooney@bayleystauranga.co.nz
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