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You have probably seen dozens of articles and studies that claim you need to paint your office space a certain color, have a certain type of furniture, or buy a trendy new decor piece in order to be successful. The design of your office influences your business, and there is one mistake that we are all doing. Office space isn’t reflecting company culture.
In the U.S., working professionals spend an average of 8.7 hours in the office each day. In a year, that amounts to roughly 1,790 hours. In another global study, it was ranked number 16 for work hours clocked. In other words, people worldwide are spending a lot of time in the office. What does that mean for your office space?
The physical office environment can have a significant impact on how people interact in an organization. Your office is a window into your company and its culture. When your space doesn’t reflect that, it gives clients and other visitors a poor impression and stifles business growth.
To revamp your office space in a way that more accurately reflects your company, follow this guide. If one of these attributes describes your culture, here’s how to capture it in your design.

  • Office design has a direct impact on collaboration. Google and Facebook may have launched the trend, but everyone seems to be embracing open-floor plans instead of cubicles. Companies that value teamwork are introducing more collaboration tools and spaces in order to encourage employees to work together.

Another trend popping up are recreational areas and games in the workplace. More offices are adding pool tables, board games, and other relaxation activities to bring employees together and create a fun environment.

Today, technology and innovation seem to go hand-in-hand too, which is why many companies that value innovation are also embracing new technologies in the workplace. The growing trend has given rise to tech solutions like wearable devices, wireless presentation software, and bring-your-own-devices (BYOD). Companies that claim that they are innovative, but still use old desktops or dated conference room equipment risk seeming dishonest.

  • Transparency has become an increasingly valuable attribute in the workplace. Some company leaders have implemented open-door policies by leaving the entrance to their private offices always open or choosing not to have a door at all. Others have suggestion boxes or regular feedback sessions with employees to show transparency.

Part of creating transparency is breaking down organizational and hierarchical silos. In order to do that, offices need to be more open and design spaces that make employees feel like other departments and executives are approachable.
Companies that have a clear, defined company culture should also have an office space that reflects it. Yet, many organizations fail to embed their culture into their design. Leaders can avoid making this one mistake by writing down the top cultural values in their organization. Then, they should ask if and how their workspaces reflects and promotes those values.

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

In 2015, Millennials surpassed Generation Xers to become the biggest generation working today. By 2030, they are predicted to make up 75 percent of the labor force. Right now, those between the ages of 18 and 34 comprise over half, and they are changing how organizations do business.
They are unlike the generations before them, especially when it comes to what they value in the workplace. In a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), personal development and flexibility were named as the top two values for young workers, while compensation came in at a surprising third. They also value technology and expect businesses to offer tech solutions that make their jobs easier and their work life flexible.
Millennials already depend on technology every day to shop, connect with friends and family, manage health and fitness, and much more. In order to attract the next generation of talented company leaders, more businesses are integrating mobile devices, wearables, collaboration tools, and meeting room technologies into their business processes. Instead of focusing on the 401(k) plans or insurance benefits, many HR recruiters are talking about the technology perks.
Those with tech-friendly workplaces and meeting rooms are more likely to impress millennial employees and business partners. Here’s how:

Highlight convenience and flexibility.

There are over 37 percent of mobile workers in the global labor force. That number doesn’t include the growing number of in-office workers that take days out of the office to work from home. Improved wireless technologies are largely responsible for vastly increasing worker flexibility and mobility.
With the help of mobile and cloud-based solutions, young employees are skewing the typical nine-to-five workday in many organizations. They are demanding remote access to work documents and projects so that they can work on them while inside and outside of the office space. Organizations that also have wireless meeting solutions or use meeting room software make it possible for younger employees to video conference or collaborate in office meetings from the comfort of their homes.

Engage their creativity.

Millennials have grown up in a time of reality TV and YouTube stars. With smartphones and social media platforms, they can create and share videos, images and other media instantly. Their generation values creativity and wants to work somewhere that shows that it cares about their opinions and personal development.
Companies that offer up-to-date meeting technologies give young employees the tools to tap into that creativity and use it in the office environment. Encourage them to add some of their own creativity into projects and presentations and they’ll be more likely to stay engaged and feel a sense of purpose.

Create a collaborative working environment.

Millennials are more prone to working in teams than any generation before them, and they like to use technology to help them do it. Over 41 percent of Millennials prefer to communicate electronically at work rather than face-to-face. Holding face-to-face meetings is still valuable to them, but only for certain occasions. They tend to lean towards electronic solutions for everyday communications, while holding in-person meetings periodically.
Organizations can use wireless presentation software like Ubiq to enable employees to collaborate with their coworkers from anywhere. Using online collaboration tools, they can easily create and edit their presentations in real-time.
Millennials are accustomed to fast Internet, wireless solutions, easy-to-use tools, and quick results. If the technology that their workplace provides isn’t efficient or useful, they will look for other solutions that do meet their needs. They could end up using unsafe software that puts company data at risk or look to other companies that offer more efficient tech solutions. But, the right meeting room technologies can impress and engage them.

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

The Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and mobile technologies have changed how both humans and machines communicate with each other. Smart homeowners can turn on their lights or tell their coffeepot to start brewing before they arrive home with the help of a connected device. In the corporate world, advancements in devices and applications have made it possible for even small business owners to accept mobile payments. Those are just a few examples of how connected devices are making an impact in our lives.
Connected devices, or devices that can communicate with each other remotely through the Internet, are also revolutionizing the workplace. According to Gartner, there will be over 6.4 billion connected devices by the end of 2016–a 30 percent increase from 2015. This includes devices like wearable technology, wireless presentation systems, meeting room software, online collaboration tools, smartphones, and tablets.
One recent study reports that businesses will be the top adopters of connected solutions. These devices are becoming more common and are impacting multiple aspects in companies all over the world. What role do connected devices play in meeting rooms?
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Use the entire meeting space.
Attending a business meeting no longer consists of staring at a projector screen or television while someone flips through a PowerPoint slideshow. With the help of connected devices, meeting leaders can create more interactive and visually intriguing meetings.
If there are multiple screens in the room, connected devices can switch seamlessly between them. If attendees have tablets, they can receive meeting documents or agendas with the touch of a button. Since connected devices eliminate the need for wires, this saves space, cost, and setup time.
Promote collaboration during meetings.
When managed effectively, connected devices can improve the productivity of your meetings. For example, in a recent study by Kelton, 71 percent of company leaders agreed that the use of connected devices helps boost productivity in their organizations.
Instead of simply lecturing to a group for an hour or more, leaders are turning their meeting rooms into collaborative meeting rooms. They are involving their audience by giving and receiving feedback, collaborating on projects, and editing in real-time with connected devices.
Increasing flexibility beyond the meeting room.
One of the primary advantages of connected devices is that they increase flexibility. Individuals can access them from anywhere and there are no wires or equipment needed, which means that the days of relying on multiple pieces of equipment to conduct a presentation or meeting are over. Hardware like projectors, cables, laptops, screens, and other parts can be eliminated. With one connected device, organizations can conduct presentations, communicate with coworkers, and easily perform dozens of other work tasks.
Connected devices allow organizations to minimize the amount of hardware that they need to perform necessary functions. However, they do more than that. As technology becomes even more sophisticated, connected devices are reinventing how we conduct meetings and collaborate with each other. Businesses that embrace the connected device revolution increase their organization’s opportunities for innovation and long-term sustainability.