Company big shots are finally getting lean!
April 25, 2018
At one time, the “corner office” was one of the leading indicators of success. It was the reward for years of hard work and sacrifice, a fitting perk for those who had finally arrived.
However, as company culture has evolved in a more open and egalitarian fashion, there are fewer and fewer corner offices. While the corner office hasn’t totally vanished, many companies have downsized the executive suite. Many top executives today are making do with less space in offices that are more functional and more closely integrated into the open office environment.
The executive office is symbolic of their approach to company culture. As more companies emphasize teamwork and collaboration, it’s natural that the executive suite would evolve in a manner more congruent with that model.
Even companies that still have a traditional executive suite are scaling back both the size and opulence of the space. Executive office design is more in tune with function, creating spaces that allow for privacy and confidential conversations that are a necessity rather than an entitlement. There is far less importance placed on hierarchy and more on teamwork.
The impact of the millennials is one of the factors that is influencing the movement toward more egalitarian work spaces. Already the largest group in the workforce, millennials are rapidly moving in to leadership positions. More open access, greater collaboration and less hierarchy align with the values they bring to the work place.
In addition to the generational shift, there are two additional factors that are driving this trend. First is the growth of tech companies, which tend to be more egalitarian. Second is the lingering effect of the recent recession, which made everyone more aware of how important it is to spend money wisely.
Here are five trends resulting from the move toward leaner, more egalitarian and more collaborative spaces:
1) Companies are spending money to upfit functional spaces with the latest technology.
2) As executive offices shrink, more companies are creating private conference rooms that are shared by members of the executive team.
3) Space is shifting from private to shared spaces that reflect company culture. For example, some companies make the boardroom and executive suite available for staff meetings to allow the whole team to have access to executives.
4) Amenities like coffee bars, workout rooms and meditation spaces are becoming more common. Many companies incorporate spaces designed for social interaction among workers, too.
5) The line between residential and commercial interiors is becoming increasingly blurred to lure employees to opt to come in to the office rather than work from home.
Overall, from ground level to the top floor, spaces are more open, functional and collaborative. The ways in which companies achieve this type of workspace varies widely, influenced by their unique company culture.
How has your industry and your company been influenced by this trend?
Make your company space work harder, call me.
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