OFFICES
ny is celebrating its tenth birthday this year , having opened its first Spaces in Amsterdam in 2008 . It has now over 120 locations across 39 countries worldwide , including recent additions in South Africa , Hong Kong , London , New York and Paris amongst others .
“ As attitudes to workplaces continue to change , it is more important than ever to understand the expectations of all employees to create a thriving culture ,” says Martijn Roordink , Spaces founder and CEO .
A multi-generational workforce appreciates different aspects of a flexible workspace . Findings show that the generation born pre-1964 prioritise the productivity benefits , whereas those post-1980 prefer the creative aspects .
The findings suggest that :
Generations born after 1980 are more concerned ( 67 %) about being in an inspiring work environment than those born pre-1964 ( 58 %)
55 % of people born pre-1964 think that remote working locations offer a more creative environment than the regular office , compared to a global average of 68 % post-1980
More people born after 1980 see flexible working as offering new business opportunities and new project opportunities ( 67 %) compared to those born before 1964 ( 55 %)
Further analysis on what inspires productivity in the working environment has revealed that :
Generations born after 1980 feel more strongly ( 23 %) that having refreshments in the office is conducive to a productive working environment , compared to those born before 1964 ( 13 %)
In a reverse trend , however , generations born after 1980 place less emphasis on wi-fi ( 78 %) compared to those born before 1964 ( 85 %), and instead a bigger focus on networking .
Business leaders increasingly see a flexible workspace strategy as a means of becoming a good employer :
72 % of people born post-1980 think that companies choose flexible working because it helps to motivate workers , which is a 10 % increase compared to those born pre- 1964
84 % of employees born after 1980 believe that flexible working helps companies to recruit and retain top talent , compared with 75 % of those born pre-1964 Martijn Roordink , founder of Spaces , adds : “ Creativity and collaboration can breathe new life into a company and empower employees of all ages . Sharing new ideas and knowledge across generations , as well as across functional or team silos , both informally and formally via activities such as reverse mentoring , lets others see things from a different perspective and sparks new ideas .
“ Different generations may view some aspects of the office differently . No-one is right or wrong in these situations – but smart employers will find a way to ensure that all generations can contribute their best ideas for the benefit of the company and its creators alike .” Denise Taylor , Chartered Psychologist , says : “ At work , there is a psychological contract between us and our employer - it ’ s not just a financial relationship . Employers have to relate to people in different ways and part of this is finding out what works for all age groups . For all industries we need to be inspired to think of creative solutions and look for ways to expand our business network . In a shared workspace like Spaces , you can meet people of different ages and backgrounds , who all come with a different set of experiences that we can learn from .
Each generation brings a unique skillset to a company – for baby boomers , it ’ s their strength and experience , and for millennials it ’ s often their creativity . Combining the two elements provides us with a new perspective which enables us to produce ‘ deep work ,’ where we can properly focus on the task at hand and concentrate without distraction .”
Source : Spaces
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2018 41