Downsizing Your Office? First, Take These 5 Essential Steps

In response to the seismic shifts in work dynamics, many companies are grappling with the decision to downsize their office spaces. The appeal of reducing overhead costs can be tempting, but this decision, often made hastily, conceals a multitude of potential issues.

Imagine the initial euphoria of reducing your office footprint, only to be hit with the chilling realization that this move is having unforeseen negative impacts.

• Your office environment becomes less inviting.
• Collaboration suffers.
• Employee morale takes a nosedive.

You see a domino effect in action.

Fewer people coming in results in a need for further downsizing, trapping you in an endless, detrimental cycle. And then, there's the notion of mandated returns.

Mandating employees to return to the office may seem like an easy fix, but it can exacerbate the problem. It can create a sense of resentment and discomfort among your employees, making your office a place they have to be rather than a place they want to be. This is a far cry from the vibrant, engaging workplace you envision.

Fortunately, these hazards can be navigated with foresight, careful planning, and strategic use of technology. Here are the crucial steps:

1. Understand Why Employees Aren't Coming In

Before taking any drastic measures, determine the reasons for your office space underutilization. Is it purely due to the increase in remote work, or are other factors involved? And then is there anything you can change?

2. Engage with ALL Stakeholders

Establish open lines of communication with your staff, management, and executive teams. Their insights and perspectives can be incredibly valuable in formulating a plan that addresses everyone's needs. Lisa Munao highlighted this perfectly in her guest appearance on our Workplace Insights Series.

3. Consider Workplace Design

The design of your workspace plays a crucial role in its utilization. Instead of downsizing, consider whether a workspace redesign could enhance productivity and collaboration.

4. Anticipate the Domino Effect

Take into account the potential cascading effect of downsizing. Will reducing your office space make the environment less inviting, prompting even fewer people to come in?

5. Explore Repurposing Your Space

Consider options for repurposing your office space before downsizing. You could sublet unused areas or create multipurpose spaces for a range of activities.

But How to Achieve All This?

Enter PlaceOS, an integration platform that brings together all your systems, software, and devices. This digital ecosystem facilitates seamless communication between systems, allowing for comprehensive analysis and insights into your building and workspace usage.

With PlaceOS, you can delve deep into the nuances of how your office space is utilized, uncovering patterns and opportunities that would otherwise remain hidden. More than that, PlaceOS opens the door for workflow automation across systems that are tailored to your unique needs.

Creating a welcoming, dynamic workspace is about magnetizing, not mandating. By understanding your employees' needs, designing for productivity, anticipating ripple effects, exploring repurposing, and leveraging the power of PlaceOS, you can transform your office into a space that your team wants to return to. Instead of diving headfirst into downsizing, take a step back and see how technology and strategic planning can revolutionize your workspace.

Get in touch if you're looking to create a better building experience.