As the world gradually emerges from the challenges posed by remote work, many companies are faced with the decision of whether to bring their teams back into the office or continue with remote work arrangements. While remote work offers flexibility and convenience, there’s a growing recognition of the benefits of returning to a physical workspace. Let’s explore why bringing your team back into the office can enhance productivity and collaboration, especially when supported by coworking spaces offering all the amenities of a traditional office.
One of the primary advantages of working in a physical office environment is the opportunity for spontaneous collaboration and face-to-face communication. In a coworking space like Allentown’s Fusion Workplaces, team rooms provide dedicated spaces where team members can gather, brainstorm ideas, and collaborate on projects in real-time. The proximity of coworkers fosters organic interactions, encourages idea sharing, and facilitates swift decision-making, ultimately leading to more efficient workflows and better outcomes.
Coworking spaces offer all the amenities of a traditional office setting, including high-speed internet, meeting spaces, private offices, printing facilities, and administrative support services. By bringing your team back into the office, you provide them with access to these professional amenities, ensuring that they have the tools and resources they need to work effectively. Whether it’s hosting client meetings, conducting training sessions, or accessing specialized equipment, the amenities available in coworking spaces enhance productivity and enable seamless operations.
While remote work offers flexibility, it can blur the boundaries between work and personal life, leading to burnout and fatigue. Returning to the office provides a delineation between work time and leisure time, allowing employees to disconnect from work obligations when they leave the office. Employees can enjoy the benefits of a professional workspace during office hours while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, coworking spaces often offer amenities such as on-site fitness centers, relaxation areas, and networking events, further enhancing employee well-being.
Without a doubt, physical office spaces play a crucial role in fostering company culture and team cohesion. In coworking environments, employees can connect with colleagues, build relationships, and develop a sense of belonging. By bringing your team back into the office, you create opportunities for team building activities, social interactions, and shared experiences that strengthen bonds and reinforce organizational values. A strong company culture contributes to higher employee engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction. In fact, according to a Resume Builder study, 75 percent of companies reported an increase in revenue and productivity and worker retention once they returned to the office.
“The message I hear from executives is, ‘We never intended for the world to change this dramatically and the office to just go away,’” Korn Ferry Senior Partner Dan Kaplan told CNBC. “Then, there’s the popular argument that people are less connected to their company and to their peers without the office, which is bad news for employee engagement and retention.”
The collaborative nature of coworking spaces encourages cross-pollination of ideas and sparks creativity. By working alongside professionals from diverse backgrounds and industries, employees are exposed to new perspectives, innovative approaches, and creative solutions to challenges. For instance, in team rooms at Fusion Workplaces in teams can leverage this creative synergy to brainstorm innovative ideas, problem-solve collaboratively, and drive business innovation. Returning to the office stimulates creativity and fosters a culture of innovation that propels companies forward.
“It’s easier to learn, model, practice and strengthen our culture when we’re in the office together most of the time and surrounded by colleagues,” Amazon Andy Jassy said.
Adopting this mindset offers numerous benefits that contribute to productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. From enhanced collaboration and access to professional amenities to promoting work-life balance and fostering company culture, the advantages of returning to a physical workspace are manifold. By embracing the benefits of coworking spaces, companies can create a dynamic and thriving work environment that empowers their teams to excel.