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Many companies are taking advantage of this unique post-COVID reality to rethink their office layout. To better equip your inventors and scientists the IP Flow team is dedicated to providing guidance around the development of skills in communication, planning, and resource allocation. By working with IP Flow you will create a highly efficient IP generation engine aligned to your company’s business needs. In this article, we take a look at the office layout and how a few minor changes could foster greater engagement from some of your more reserved inventors and scientific team members.
Consider redesigning to a homeroom layout
In addition to many opting to work from home full-time, others returning to the office would prefer to see changes in the layout to allow for social distancing. Instead of the open office layout consider a homeroom design. The installation of lockers where individuals can keep their items in combination with portable desks gives your team a new form of flexibility both in seating location and timing.
Could your large conference room be repurposed?
Meetings are now predominantly individuals calling in and very few being physically present. Many companies that previously adopted the open office layout also instituted an increased number of conference rooms. Take a moment to reevaluate your conference rooms. Do you truly need the largest room, or could it be partitioned into multiple smaller units?
Is there enough dedicated quiet space?
Prior to COVID-19 employees surveyed said they preferred working from home because they could “get work done.” By working from home the inability for coworkers to disrupt ultimately allowed for greater productivity. Post COVID-19 while many do not miss the loud conversations or desk fly-bys, they do miss the social engagement. To give employees the best of both worlds consider if some of your individual-user offices could be repurposed as dedicated quiet spaces.
Utilize whiteboards to foster better communication
Brainstorming is a particularly difficult task with video conferencing. Individuals intending to communicate a complicated point often find a simple drawing more effective than a verbal exchange. Assess your current office space, conference rooms, kitchen, watercooler area, etc. Is there a potential to install more whiteboards where impromptu, safely distanced conversations could happen?
Communication prior to a meeting is essential
Finally, individuals that find it difficult to communicate in large groups will respond best to changes in company culture, versus the shifting of a desk. Consider using this new office layout to also institute meeting rules such as:
to set up a meeting, discussion points must be shared prior,
each meeting must have a defined ultimate goal of either: information sharing, task assignment, discussion, or decision,
a small time at the end of each meeting is to be dedicated to asking the group if anything was missed, and finally
offer to hear from attendees afterward if they were unable to think of anything at the moment.
We hope that you found this article helpful in stimulating some ideas surrounding a more productive and idea-generating environment. As part of the IP Flow team, I hope to support your company’s efforts in aligning IP portfolio generation with your business needs. If you would like further support please contact Jes Staha at Jes@IPFlow.biz.