Work Space Solutions, Having a Tabula Rasa Mindset
By Philip Wasta, President, Pioneer Workspace Solutions
One of the many challenges that small business owners face as their businesses grow is the need to provide an effective work environment. Addressing this need is very important because the work space is where the owner’s three largest investments converge: Architecture (the physical space that the business occupies); Furniture (the workplace settings where the employees work); Technology / Talent (the people and tools that carry out the business process).
Most business owners lack training in space planning therefore they must decide if they should hire someone to help them plan. In most cases, they allow the growth to occur organically by letting the work space morph as needed. Like many other business issues, efficiencies and maximization of investments happen best when there is a plan. Space planning is no different.
A proper space plan is designed around the needs of the employees and the physical realities of the architecture. This will help save time and money in several ways:
> Flexibility within the space
> Proper levels of interaction and autonomy for the employees
> Room for growth
> Conservation of space
> Efficiency throughout the business process
> Proper access and connectivity between the building systems (power/voice/data) and technology
> Code compliance
The importance of space planning has been brought to the forefront for many businesses recently due to the flooding that occurred in June. All forms of space planning (emergency, temporary, upsizing, downsizing, relocation, remodeling and new construction) have been occurring on a mass scale in recent months while businesses have been relocating and rebuilding. As many of the displaced businesses begin to plan their return they realize they have a very distinct and unique opportunity to start over.
Rarely is a business owner given an opportunity to look at their space as a ‘tabula rasa’ or ‘clean slate’ in an existing building which is now the situation in downtown Cedar Rapids and other flood affected areas. Many businesses are looking at their space and answering the question they could only have asked themselves hypothetically prior to the flood: ‘If I could knock out all the walls of this place and start over, what would I do?’
Pioneer Workspace Solutions has been providing office planning and interior design services for over 40 years. At no time have we ever seen so many businesses simultaneously engaged in the planning process. It is encouraging to see business owners who are seeking to maximize the benefits of what could best be described as a negative situation.
Business owners need not wait for a catastrophe like a flood to pause and evaluate what is best for their work space. They need to have a plan for maximizing the effectiveness of their three most significant business investments; architecture, furniture, and technology / talent. Looking at the work space with a ‘tabula rasa’ mindset can result in a more productive workplace and happier, more efficient employees.
