Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Management, Workplace Strategy

Why companies are doing away with assigned desks

It sounds like a gag straight out of a Dilbert cartoon. But for a growing number of companies, taking away assigned desks and turning employees into office nomads has its advantages.

At Citi, executives saw office work space going unused because employees were home sick, out on vacation or on flexible schedules. So the company filled an entire floor of a building in Long Island City with conference rooms, meeting areas and desks — but no assigned desks. In fact, there are only 150 spaces for 200 people, according to Harvard Business Review. Employees put their personal belongings in lockers and simply find a space where they want to work.

Source: www.cbsnews.com

The trend of companies seeking a more mobile and “agile” workforce continues to grow as this article documents.  Presently, most work environments are set up to maximize productivity.  What a redesigned and more team-focused environment does however is inspire collaboration and innovation.  The goal?  Maximize productivity AND innovation simultaneously.  At Stegmeier Consulting Group, we work with organizations in various fields and of all sizes to help with transitions to new office layouts and new ways of thinking about workplace efficiency.

Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change

Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Management, Workplace Strategy

5 Ways to Increase Your Workplace Innovation

How can you spur innovation? Recently, I attended an internal workshop on strategy and growth, and my workgroup was asked to tackle this very question. We quickly came to the conclusion that innovation and learning are closely aligned; that is, creating the condition for innovation requires creating a “learning culture,” or a culture in which new ideas and fresh thinking are welcome.

Source: www.kineo.com

At Stegmeier Consulting Group, we believe that innovation can come from anywhere at anytime within an organization.  Innovation should not just be a responsibility left up to the marketing department or the research and development teams.  This article brings to light 5 great suggestions on how to foster a more innovative culture.  Here at SCG, we’d like to propose a 6th suggestion: Consider a workplace redesign that allows for more collaboration and efficiency.  The changes can range from simply providing employees more space to hold small meetings, to considering a telework program that will allow employees more flexibility and more of the most precious resource of all: time. 

Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change

Workplace Flexibility

Flexible Working: Why Do We Treat It As a Women-Only Issue?

It’s been two months since all UK employees gained the right to request flexible working. We talk to Tracey Eker, the founder of Flexiworkforce.com, the only job board in the UK that caters to candidates wishing to find full- and part-time flexible work, about what we need to do to turn Britain into a world which values productivity over presence.

What do we mean when we talk about flexible working?

Many people still equate the term “flexible working” with part-time work, but this idea is reductive, and in many cases, simply incorrect. People often confuse the two because traditionally, most jobs advertised have exclusively been for full-time or part-time positions. However, there is now a far greater variety of ways to work flexibly.

Source: www.theguardian.com

SCG Tip of the Day: Op-ed pieces and interviews like this one can be a great source for new ideas, but they often do not have statistical sources listed. Never base your case for workplace flexibility on statistics from unknown sources! Be sure to fact-check before presenting to colleagues. Chances are, they will want to know the source as well. 

Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change


Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Management, Workplace Flexibility, Workplace Strategy

Winston-Salem’s Flywheel coworking space opens – Greensboro – Triad Business Journal

An event space housed in a basketball court, complimentary snacks and beverages, billiards and darts may seem more at home in a fraternity house than an office. But those amenities fit right in at coworking space Flywheel, which opened this week at the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter.

Flywheel is located in 11,585 square feet of the research park’s 525@vine building. Its flexible, collaborative working space offers a “casual and contemporary” environment for entrepreneurs, independent professionals and innovators to work “on the fly.”

Source: www.bizjournals.com

There is a common misconception that the demand for coworking space only lies in the largest cities (think NYC, LA, Chicago). We’re seeing that this is not the case.

Winston-Salem is a great example of a smaller city embracing new ways of working. The city population is a little over 236,000 and it already has two coworking office locations, including the one in this article. These working offices are both around 10,000 square feet and open 7 days a week.

Would you consider working in a coworking office? Why or why not? 

Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change

Telework

7 Tips for Improving Your Remote Meetings

The way teams work and collaborate is changing. Consulting, remote workforces and outsourcing are all on the rise. Even if you operate a team that is technically based in the same physical office, it’s becoming more and more common that your clients prefer to communicate in a virtual manner instead of in person due to time constraints.

One of the biggest issues that has surfaced around remote work is how to handle meetings. How do you communicate effectively when the meeting is with teams that are several hundreds or thousands of miles away instead of face-to-face in a conference room? How do you ensure that your employees are a part of the meeting, instead of just following directions?

Source: www.businessinsider.com

The transition to meeting remotely can be difficult for some employees. These are some basic tips that can help make the most of remote meetings. Remote working solutions are not one-size-fits-all. It’s important to test different approaches and see what is the best fit for your team. 

Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change

Workplace Flexibility

Flexwork for the Wrong Reasons Can Be Damaging

Many employers say they offer telecommuting and flexible work hours to employees, but in fact are cutting back on time for child leave or to care for an ill parent.

Source: www.nytimes.com

What does your flex work  strategy say about your company’s relationship with its employees? Some companies offer flex work as an option to ensure the productivity and well-being of their workforce, while others use it to cut corners and reduce employee benefits like child leave. It’s important to remember that flex work is just one part of the attraction and retention package. 

Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change


Telework

Telework Week Saved Feds 14 Million Miles, $13 Million

Mobile Work Exchange and the Office of Personnel Management on Thursday announced the impact more than 163,000 employees worldwide had by teleworking one week in March.

This year’s Telework Week, which ran March 3-7, drew 163,973 pledges, more than four times the 2011 number. The average Telework Week participant teleworked two days during the week, avoided a 45-mile round-trip commute into the office and saved 4.5 hours and $90 in commuting costs for the week.

Source: www.nextgov.com

We recommend that clients pilot a telecommuting program before they commit to a long-term program. Every business is different and flexible work arrangements should reflect that. Setting aside a week to test remote operations can also help test business continuity before the next winter storm or other natural hazard.

Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change

Workplace Flexibility

Flexibility Needed to Keep Top Performers

A high performercan deliver 400

per cent more productivity than an average performer. Despite this, all employees tend to be lumped together in workforce statistics.

Last summer, my colleagues and I conducted a study with Oxford Economics across 27 countries to find out what the future workforce wants.

Source: www.irishtimes.com

Attracting and retaining top talent is a challenge faced by nearly every organization.  High performers are extremely valuable, and competition for them is stiff.  Perhaps, more importantly, the cost to replace a top performer puts even more pressure on employers to focus on talent retention.  An outdated work environment and an inflexible corporate culture are often the most common hindrances to this retention process. 

Refreshing the workplace and your organizational policies may be just what your company needs.  Imagine having the ability to tour potential new hires through a modern, comfortable facility with space for collaboration, innovation and relaxation.  Picture their eyes light up as you inform them your organization possesses the technology and flexibility needed to make working remotely possible.

At Stegmeier Consulting Group, we believe that ignoring alternative workplace initiatives puts companies on a “fast track to 2nd place.”  That edict may be most true when talking in terms of talent recruitment and retention.  Don’t overlook how changing your work environment and corporate culture can impact attraction and retention–otherwise you run the risk the competition scooping up the future leaders of your workplace!

Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change

Telework

How To Make Working From Home More Productive

Working from home has its challenges. Five home office professionals share their secrets on making it work.

As a freelance writer, I spend the majority of my working time in my home office. While zero commuting hours, the ability to work in my pajamas, and flexibility over my schedule sound like a dream; working from home also has its challenges.

Source: www.fastcompany.com

One suggested step in this article is “Create a Commute”. We all need time to ease into the work day, whether it is through an actual commute, or a work-at-home equivalent. The good news about the work-at-home equivalent is that you have more control about what you get done.

This article gives a good example of a work-at-home commute: 


“Steve Cappoccia, account director at Warner Communications says he creates his own version of a commute by setting aside time at the beginning of the day to create a list of priorities for the day, update social media pages, and browse emails to allow for the smooth transition into work mode.”


Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change



Workplace Flexibility

Millennials plan to trade kids for careers — but it doesn’t have to be that way

Erin Wehmann, 28, can tell when she and her husband have been at work too long. They’ll come home to find Jake and Macey, their 7-year-old lab mixes, moping around the house.

While she doesn’t like leaving them for long stretches, she knows that during those occasional 10- to 12-hour work days, her dogs have plenty of food and water and access to the doggy door.

“But that’s not like a kid,” she said. “You can’t just leave them in your backyard.”

Source: www.deseretnews.com

Is a lack of workplace flexibility resulting in a “Baby Bust”? For many Millenials, a flexible work arrangement is a deciding factor in whether or not they start families.

In 1969, couples ages 25-54 worked an average of 56 hours a week, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2000, couples together averaged 67 hours.

With fewer workers doing the same amount of work, it is not surprising that they feel it is impossible to strike a balance between work and family life— and be able to afford it. The United States is one of the very few countries in the world that doesn’t provide some type of paid family leave, and many young parents cannot afford to take unpaid maternity leave.

What do you think? Would flexible work arrangements be enough to curb an impending “Baby Bust”?

Stegmeier Consulting Group can assist with a wide range of challenges involved in implementing a workplace change initiative.  Contact us to find out how our services can help your organization.


https://stegmeierconsulting.com/contact/

Phone: 440-846-1410

Changing the way organizations manage workplace change