In 2007, I advised recruitment business owners to carefully consider their office premises, whether flashy 'goldfish bowl' setups or more discreet 'hermit' backstreet locations. Today, with the lessons learned from a major recession, a pandemic, and an inflation crisis, businesses have shifted away from the high-cost, public-facing approach, embracing remote models and proving that a small, adaptable presence can be just as effective, if not more so.
2023 office advice: Tech advances enable remote work, saving costs. High street suits low-paid sectors, but not all. Adapt to new norms, and consider sector differences.
Optimise office expenses: Downsize, choose short-term licenses or managed offices for savings but avoid excessive changes. Long-term leases offer security, preventing disruptive moves, which can be harmful and distracting to businesses.
Pandemic impact on UK offices immense; it surely surpassed past recessions. Lockdowns led to closures, furloughs, and lease exits. Remote work thrives as the new norm, thousands now operate full-time work from home or hybrid option, but some traditionalists resisted the shift.
What is the Optimal setup: Office, full-time home, or hybrid?
Employees vary; some thrive in the home environment, while others excel in the bustling office. The hybrid system caters to both types, offering flexibility, but finding the right balance can be challenging. Sales teams feed off the buzz and energy of the office, boosting their effectiveness.
On the other hand, recruiters often work outside regular hours, benefiting from a flexible environment that combines office and remote work to drive sales momentum. Meanwhile, support staff can efficiently handle tasks from home, yet some still prefer the camaraderie of an office setting. Identifying the right fit for each role is key, allowing business owners to build a customised, flexible model that creates a harmonious and productive environment for everyone involved.
Balancing with the need to drive productivity? A few harsh realities
I have seen many businesses thrive after shifting from home to offices - sales and profitability soar. Yet, in recent years, the shift to home-based work saw mixed results - happy employees but slowed sales. Beware, recruitment buyers remain wary of home-based setups - managing and big retention concerns.
Home/office hybrid offers advantages, but plan carefully to avoid pitfalls. Have you reached the right balance for your business?
Talk to me John Bissell as an APSCo Advisor if you are struggling to get it right.
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