CanopyWhy You Need a Workplace Strategy Now More Than Ever
Want to attract the top talent in your industry? They won’t come knocking on your door.
You need to give them a ‘why’. A well-thought-out workplace strategy can be the key to attracting and retaining top talent, maximising productivity, and staying ahead of industry trends. It’s no longer about providing birthdays off and free parking; it’s about creating an environment where people feel invested in seeing the business grow—a space that promotes collaboration, supports individual needs, and adapts to future changes.
If you’re a business owner in Melbourne looking to undergo strategic changes in the design and function of your workspace, this guide can help. Inside, we’ll explore how to create a strategy that aligns with your business goals, meets employee needs, and sets your workplace up for long-term success.
What is a Workplace Strategy?
Workplace strategy is the process of creating, designing, and managing the physical and cultural environment that supports a company’s financial goals – while also enhancing the employee experience at work.
It’s about finding the balance between the functional (supporting daily work tasks) and the aspirational (fostering creativity and engagement). A successful workplace strategy looks beyond just office design—it incorporates the layout, policies, technology, and culture that together create a dynamic, efficient, and welcoming environment.
Auditing Your Current Work Environment
How do you combine all of these aspirational ideas into a clear strategy? Start by auditing your current setup. Take a close look at what’s working, what isn’t, and where there’s room for improvement. To help you get started, grab a pen and paper and write down whatever comes to mind for the following questions:
- Is the current office layout conducive to both collaboration and focus?
- Are there areas that feel outdated, crowded, or underutilised?
- Do your employees have access to the technology and spaces they need?
Analyse Usage Patterns
After getting all your thoughts down, it’s time to look at the data. How many people are working in the office on a given day during the week? Which days are the most crowded? Which spaces are most frequently booked out for collaborative work? Internal scheduling tools (e.g. Google Calendar) can give you a big-picture overview of how your team is using the office space. Inside you can find metrics on when most meetings are scheduled and who is working where throughout the week.
Direct observation and recording of work patterns over a period can also help, but it may take up your precious time. If you prefer to be more hands-on it might be best to delegate this instead.
Recommended Reading: 7+ Ways to Improve Workplace Culture Through Design
Get Input from All Parts of the Business
Creating a workplace strategy isn’t a top-down process. You need to gather input from all levels of the business to ensure the strategy meets a diverse set of needs, promoting a sense of ownership among all employees. Here are some ways you can achieve this:
- Conduct Surveys & Focus Groups: Surveys are a quick way to gather feedback from the whole team, while focus groups allow for deeper insights from key departments or roles.
- Consult Leadership & HR: Leaders can provide insights into business goals, employee retention issues, and any cultural shifts that could impact workplace design. HR is a direct line to your employees' wants and concerns, making their feedback invaluable when designing a space that works for all.
- Encourage Openness: Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, as they often provide valuable on-the-ground perspectives that management may not see. It may even help to make the survey anonymous or offer an incentive to employees to give detailed feedback.
Setting a Budget and Planning Around Lease Expirations
A workplace strategy is an investment, so setting a budget early on is essential. Additionally, planning upgrades or fitouts around lease expiration dates can save costs and prevent disruptions.
If your lease is due for renewal, it may be the perfect time to rethink your office space while searching for a new one. This way, you’ll avoid the costs and complexities of temporary upgrades within your existing office. You may also receive incentives from your new landlord to cover the costs of building your fitout.
When setting a budget, you’ll want to allocate the most funds to the elements that will have the greatest long-term impact. This might be flexible spaces, technology, or ergonomic design. A workplace strategy isn’t just a short-term fix either. Taking on the feedback from your staff, you’ll want to invest in quality features that enhance your work culture. A better work culture begets more productive, happier teams who have a vested interest in helping the business succeed.
Recommended Reading: What Is Fitout Contribution & Who Does It Benefit?
Balancing Business Strategy with People Strategy
A successful workplace strategy should align with both business objectives and employee needs. Think of it as a blend of two strategies:
1. Business Strategy
This strategy is designed around the goals of the company. These usually include increasing productivity internally and therefore revenue externally. Looking at a workplace strategy through this scope, business owners should be thinking about what their employees need to do their greatest work. For example, if innovation is a priority, consider designing more collaborative zones or creative hubs that encourage brainstorming among groups.
2. People Strategy
Also known as employee wellbeing, this strategy focuses on the employee as a person. Outside of work, what other needs does your team have that will help them perform better? Examples of this from a design perspective include spaces for relaxation/meditation/recreation, quiet zones for focus work, and adaptable workstations to accommodate different work styles or differently-abled employees.
A people-focused strategy can increase job satisfaction and help with employee retention, especially in industries with high turnover rates.
The Best of Both Worlds
When the physical environment supports both business and people strategies, it fosters an entirely new culture that feels almost familial. Each employee feels a sense of purpose and value, working towards a greater goal to disrupt an industry – similar to the likes of Google or Apple.
This is what a great workplace strategy aims for. The physical environment (or fitout) designed from this strategy is merely the result of a deep understanding of employees at all levels of the business.
Recommended Reading: This Is How You Implement Workplace Change [7 Steps]
Design a Space for Now, But Consider Future Growth and Change
The way we work is continually evolving. Today’s workplace strategies need to account for changes in workforce size, technology, and work preferences. Create a flexible space that can grow with your business and adapt to future changes. Consider including:
- Modular and Multi-Functional Spaces: Use furniture that can be easily rearranged, allowing spaces to serve multiple purposes. This flexibility can save time and resources as your needs change.
- Hybrid Work Solutions: With hybrid work models on the rise, consider spaces that accommodate both in-office and remote work. Include video conference-ready meeting rooms, collaboration areas, and hot-desking options.
- Plan for Technological Advancements: Invest in high-speed internet, digital collaboration tools, and forward-compatible technology, making it easy to upgrade as new tools become available.
Creating a Future-Ready Workplace with Canopy Fitouts
A well-designed workplace strategy could be the final piece to your business’s success. At Canopy Fitouts, our team specialises in creating dynamic, flexible fitouts that meet your needs today while preparing you for tomorrow’s challenges. Whether you’re looking to enhance collaboration, improve productivity, or create a space that emulates your company values, we can help you bring your vision to life.
Our experts in Melbourne work closely with you, from planning and budgeting to design and execution, to create a workplace that aligns with your business goals and supports your employees. Ready to make a change? Speak to our team today and we’d be more than happy to give you advice on cost, requirements, and timeframes for your office or commercial fitout. Give us a call at 1800 434 868 or email info@canopyfitouts.com.au.