By Owl Labs
The transition to hybrid work is unique for every type of business – from corporations to universities. When rethinking workspaces, whether you are building from the ground up or reworking an existing space, think about your teams’ work habits on an individual and holistic level.
Some questions to consider:
- What does a typical day look like from a remote vs hybrid vs in-office perspective?
- How will in-office employees stay connected to employees working remotely?
- How will collaboration work between in-office and remote employees?
- What tools do workers need to effectively collaborate so everyone, independent of location, feels included?
On a holistic level, a workspace transformation should be approached as a complete revamp of your office space. Every room, space, and tech update should be considered. Simply put, if a space isn’t wired for collaboration (in-person and hybrid), it’s a wasted space. And just because a space was wired pre-pandemic, doesn’t mean that it won’t need to undergo a few updates to be optimized for your new world and your new employees.
Depending on the size, shape and vibe of your spaces, there are a variety of different ways you can set them up for optimal hybrid use.
What makes a space hybrid?
A hybrid workspace is an area designed with hybrid or flexible teams in mind who may be collaborating from the office or remotely. Hybrid spaces are often wired for collaboration, with built-in meeting hardware, like the Meeting Owl Pro, and software that makes hosting a hybrid meeting simple. This tech helps bridge the communication gap that can sometimes exist between on and off-site employees.
Some ways that you can outfit hybrid offices include:
- Wire existing conference rooms, meeting spaces, and group areas for better collaboration and video conferencing (both in-person + remote)
- Create huddle rooms with monitors and soundproof walls for employees to have private chats with remote employees
- Set up flexible, open layout spaces with moveable furniture for those who like working in the presence of others
- Provide private, individual working spaces for employees who prefer independent work environments
- Design creative-focused hybrid rooms with smart whiteboards or whiteboard cameras, intuitive video conferencing software and ample desk space for brainstorming in-person or with remote teammates
For more information on how to best outfit your workspace with hybrid tech, download our Practical Guide for Rewiring a Hybrid Office.
Owl Labs is an NAHT partner for powering hybrid classrooms and meetings. NAHT members receive a special 10% discount from the normal MSRP of £999 for the Meeting Owl Pro down to £899. To purchase click here.