The Covid-19 response which moved much office work to virtual has created a natural productivity experiment in the knowledge economy. The favourable early results being reported by firms with employees working from home are challenging the widespread assumptions about the merit of extremely open offices as were frequently adopted in technology companies prior to the pandemic. For companies that will continue to have offices which are now designing re-occupancy plans, social distancing requirements offer an opportunity to revert to potentially more productive forms of office layout.
In the outsourcing territory, research and development (R&D) is considered the final frontier. That’s because R&D is seen as a source of...innovation – the mother of competitiveness, which is to be protected at any cost. As we all well know, from our business studies text books, core activities should never be outsourced.
The Last Word: The 50-Year Journey to Digital BusinessCognizant
To make good on the promise of the digital age, established companies must master a veritable Rubik's Cube of thorny challenges. The solution lies in understanding three key historical precedents and four perennial seasons of change.
Innovation's unsung hero in volatile times: Industrialized business operationsGenpact Ltd
Extreme market volatility has prompted companies across industries to build more effective business operations. 1. Leading innovators such as Apple, Amazon, GE, HSBC, and PayPal2 among others have addressed those challenges by harvesting the value of information – at scale - and harnessing the art of the possible in their business operations.This paper describes how product and business model innovation can be driven and enabled by smart business process operations, be they transaction or decision support. The evidence accumulated across hundreds of companies indicates that “industrialized operations” – thanks to scientific decoupling and consolidation of part of business processes run as an extended enterprise, utilizing data, metrics, as well as IT and HR practices in innovative ways - constitute a material yet relatively untapped lever.
Fast, Cheaper and Better Content Conversion by Systemware - ECM Provider CompanyJone Smith
Systemware, Inc. is a leading enterprise content management and conversion company that efficiently capture index, store and manage documents generated by some large organizations in United States.
In the outsourcing territory, research and development (R&D) is considered the final frontier. That’s because R&D is seen as a source of...innovation – the mother of competitiveness, which is to be protected at any cost. As we all well know, from our business studies text books, core activities should never be outsourced.
The Last Word: The 50-Year Journey to Digital BusinessCognizant
To make good on the promise of the digital age, established companies must master a veritable Rubik's Cube of thorny challenges. The solution lies in understanding three key historical precedents and four perennial seasons of change.
Innovation's unsung hero in volatile times: Industrialized business operationsGenpact Ltd
Extreme market volatility has prompted companies across industries to build more effective business operations. 1. Leading innovators such as Apple, Amazon, GE, HSBC, and PayPal2 among others have addressed those challenges by harvesting the value of information – at scale - and harnessing the art of the possible in their business operations.This paper describes how product and business model innovation can be driven and enabled by smart business process operations, be they transaction or decision support. The evidence accumulated across hundreds of companies indicates that “industrialized operations” – thanks to scientific decoupling and consolidation of part of business processes run as an extended enterprise, utilizing data, metrics, as well as IT and HR practices in innovative ways - constitute a material yet relatively untapped lever.
Fast, Cheaper and Better Content Conversion by Systemware - ECM Provider CompanyJone Smith
Systemware, Inc. is a leading enterprise content management and conversion company that efficiently capture index, store and manage documents generated by some large organizations in United States.
Making the Shift to the Next-Generation EnterpriseCognizant
It's crucial for organizations to assess their next-generation strengths and weaknesses in light of their strategic priorities and then focus on the enablers that will prepare them for the future of work.
Accelerate Value Creation: The Virtuous Cycle of Using Technology to Maximize...FindWhitePapers
Explore the relationship between IT investment and performance and productivity gains. This paper describes how companies can best maximize value from their IT investments and can take part in the virtuous cycle of IT.
A new wave of digital disruption will affect the business world broadly during the next few years. The future of your company depends on your ability to seize the opportunities. These principles lay out the timing, breadth, and scale of the change to come, and the most effective ways to respond.
In an earlier Linkage webinar delivered by Lonney Gregory, we explored behaviors to develop an innovative mindset and stimulate creativity. We believe in order to stay ahead of the competition, individuals and teams must be creative and innovative. And while that is true, creativity and innovative behaviors alone won’t guarantee innovation initiatives will succeed. But what if you could hedge your bets on innovation and increase the likelihood of success; would you do it? In addition to engaging in ways of thinking that inspire breakthroughs, repeatable organizational processes, cultural adaptations, and clearly defined approaches for integrating it all, including handling risks, will significantly increase the likeness of success for innovation in your organizations. This next session on innovation will introduce three basic concepts that lead toward successfully enabling an innovation capable organization; one that drives innovation throughout the organization.
In this session, participants learn about:
1. Identifying market opportunities using one of the most profound approaches for understanding what consumers and non-consumers want by defining what Clayton Christensen calls the “Job to be Done”
2. How to lead ultra-productive solution seeking sessions based upon the world famous IDEO Design Thinking methodology.
3. Applying principles to overcome what Steven Shapiro calls the performance paradox and for growing high performance teams.
This report is based on a global survey of 305 senior
executives. The survey, which was conducted by the
Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of Siemens PLM
Software, looks at the opportunities and challenges
associated with outsourcing innovation.
Innovation Portfolio Management and Governance | Accentureaccenture
With innovation investments increasing, it's critical to invest in future potential and have a balanced innovation portfolio management strategy. Learn more.
Innomantra Viewpoint - Reinvent Cost Innovation for Digital TransformationInnomantra
Reinvent Cost Innovation for Digital Transformation
Depending on an organization’s services or products, the cost strategies can vary, as every decision in the product development process or operations re-design affects the cost. Many product and service organizations are under tremendous pressure to drive several initiatives around cost as no business can escape from disruption happening in lightning speed around them. The low hanging thinking strikes best as saving through Value Engineering, Six Sigma or Total Quality Management, and so on, as a part of the business excellence or strategic initiative. These initiatives have delivered some level of positive results in the past as the product life cycle used to be longer than it is today. Cost reduction or saving projects have helped to increase, maintain the profits or survival, this trend could further step-up as leaders and businesses have increased cost pressure to face post COVID19 pandemic crisis.
This PDF details the things that make a company drive innovation by listing the nature and necessary ingredients on innovation for a capital rich to an entrepreneurial setup.
What marketers say about working online: Mckinsey Quarterly Global surveyAdam Lewis
Great stats about what marketers think about the challenges and the opportunities of digital marketing. Covering social media, social insight, mobile. Great stats.
Creating the Modern Manufacturing WorkforceCognizant
For manufacturers seeking to thrive in an Industry 4.0 world, digitally enabling the workforce may be an excellent first step, facilitating better collaboration, innovative products, a better customer experience and a more robust supply chain. But it’s easier said than done. Getting there begins with a thorough examination of your organization’s competitive position and business initiatives.
Redrafting Business Models-Tomorrow’s Enterprise in ActionInfosys
This is the 5th edition of the Infosys BPO Thought Leadership Journal. The current theme of the Journal is centered around Redrafting Business Models-Tomorrow’s Enterprise in Action, allowing for candid and incisive views from global outsourcing strategists and Infosys subject matter experts on this subject.
Making the Shift to the Next-Generation EnterpriseCognizant
It's crucial for organizations to assess their next-generation strengths and weaknesses in light of their strategic priorities and then focus on the enablers that will prepare them for the future of work.
Accelerate Value Creation: The Virtuous Cycle of Using Technology to Maximize...FindWhitePapers
Explore the relationship between IT investment and performance and productivity gains. This paper describes how companies can best maximize value from their IT investments and can take part in the virtuous cycle of IT.
A new wave of digital disruption will affect the business world broadly during the next few years. The future of your company depends on your ability to seize the opportunities. These principles lay out the timing, breadth, and scale of the change to come, and the most effective ways to respond.
In an earlier Linkage webinar delivered by Lonney Gregory, we explored behaviors to develop an innovative mindset and stimulate creativity. We believe in order to stay ahead of the competition, individuals and teams must be creative and innovative. And while that is true, creativity and innovative behaviors alone won’t guarantee innovation initiatives will succeed. But what if you could hedge your bets on innovation and increase the likelihood of success; would you do it? In addition to engaging in ways of thinking that inspire breakthroughs, repeatable organizational processes, cultural adaptations, and clearly defined approaches for integrating it all, including handling risks, will significantly increase the likeness of success for innovation in your organizations. This next session on innovation will introduce three basic concepts that lead toward successfully enabling an innovation capable organization; one that drives innovation throughout the organization.
In this session, participants learn about:
1. Identifying market opportunities using one of the most profound approaches for understanding what consumers and non-consumers want by defining what Clayton Christensen calls the “Job to be Done”
2. How to lead ultra-productive solution seeking sessions based upon the world famous IDEO Design Thinking methodology.
3. Applying principles to overcome what Steven Shapiro calls the performance paradox and for growing high performance teams.
This report is based on a global survey of 305 senior
executives. The survey, which was conducted by the
Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of Siemens PLM
Software, looks at the opportunities and challenges
associated with outsourcing innovation.
Innovation Portfolio Management and Governance | Accentureaccenture
With innovation investments increasing, it's critical to invest in future potential and have a balanced innovation portfolio management strategy. Learn more.
Innomantra Viewpoint - Reinvent Cost Innovation for Digital TransformationInnomantra
Reinvent Cost Innovation for Digital Transformation
Depending on an organization’s services or products, the cost strategies can vary, as every decision in the product development process or operations re-design affects the cost. Many product and service organizations are under tremendous pressure to drive several initiatives around cost as no business can escape from disruption happening in lightning speed around them. The low hanging thinking strikes best as saving through Value Engineering, Six Sigma or Total Quality Management, and so on, as a part of the business excellence or strategic initiative. These initiatives have delivered some level of positive results in the past as the product life cycle used to be longer than it is today. Cost reduction or saving projects have helped to increase, maintain the profits or survival, this trend could further step-up as leaders and businesses have increased cost pressure to face post COVID19 pandemic crisis.
This PDF details the things that make a company drive innovation by listing the nature and necessary ingredients on innovation for a capital rich to an entrepreneurial setup.
What marketers say about working online: Mckinsey Quarterly Global surveyAdam Lewis
Great stats about what marketers think about the challenges and the opportunities of digital marketing. Covering social media, social insight, mobile. Great stats.
Creating the Modern Manufacturing WorkforceCognizant
For manufacturers seeking to thrive in an Industry 4.0 world, digitally enabling the workforce may be an excellent first step, facilitating better collaboration, innovative products, a better customer experience and a more robust supply chain. But it’s easier said than done. Getting there begins with a thorough examination of your organization’s competitive position and business initiatives.
Redrafting Business Models-Tomorrow’s Enterprise in ActionInfosys
This is the 5th edition of the Infosys BPO Thought Leadership Journal. The current theme of the Journal is centered around Redrafting Business Models-Tomorrow’s Enterprise in Action, allowing for candid and incisive views from global outsourcing strategists and Infosys subject matter experts on this subject.
AEC 2022 Trends – Top 10 Challenges and OpportunitiesIndovance Inc
The AEC industry is currently going through an unprecedented transformation.
In the last few years, essentially every market in the world has seen a significant change. Additionally, many macro changes to our markets that would have typically taken more than a decade to manifest have been expedited by the epidemic.
The engineering, construction and design firms are and will be significantly impacted by these developments. Project plans are still being hindered by supply chain bottlenecks, labor & resource shortages, shifting regulatory constraints, and rising costs.
Let’s examine the key trends for AEC organizations to keep in mind as they move forward while still adjusting and adapting to the new normal of 2022 and beyond.
Social Business Design is the intentional creation of dynamic and socially calibrated systems, process, and culture.
Its goal: helping organizations improve value exchange among constituents.
Social Business Design is a registered service mark of the Dachis Group.
As one of the leaders in the workspace and communication sector and seeking to provide business office service providers with benchmarks and data that they can use to increase their revenues and improve their profit margins, we decided to produce a state of industry report. Admittedly, we’re almost awash in these reports, which typically conduct a survey of customers and providers in their particular industry segment and produce the results in a report format. We wanted to do something different, to produce a report that dived into deeper detail than a survey-based report and produced intelligent business insights.
Condeco | Flexible Work e-Book | SlideshareCondeco
Flexible work is one of the most talked-about subjects in the world of business today. After all the forced change of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are looking forward, towards operating at their best in a very different world of work. Find out more here: https://www.condecosoftware.com/modern-workplace/asset/ebooks/flexible-work/
Maximizing the business value from social computingSocialKwan
Social computing is an important strategic platform for increasing workplace collaboration and knowledge management, and a strategic platform for modernizing enterprise applications to connect collaboration with business processes and transactions, thereby achieving tangible productivity gains and customer value.
There are concrete steps organizations can take today in order to address both parts of the enterprise opportunity around social computing in terms of “horizontal” strategic knowledge management and innovation functions and “vertical” mission-critical business applications. Addressing both parts of this equation is key to success and to unlocking the full potential of social computing in the enterprise.
Industry 4.0's Impact on the Deskless WorkerAndonix
The current and future impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on the deskless worker in the manufacturing industry. A summary of how technology can create value for forward-thinking organizations.
Space Matters: Shaping the Workplace to Get the Right Work DoneCognizant
To enable co-creation, collaboration, agility and other digital workstyles, organizations need to reimagine the interplay between workspace, performance and culture.
The Work Ahead: Soaring Out of the Process SiloCognizant
In this edition of our series, we look at how business leaders can turbo-charge operational efficiency and propel massive revenue growth and cost savings by digitizing their business processes.
Are you searching for a partner to help you navigate Microsoft Dynamics 365 for your financial and operational needs in the USA? Look no further! We offer expertise as a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Partner, providing comprehensive solutions and implementation services.
Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...Dave Litwiller
In an expanding range of tech, AI, and advanced manufacturing industries, there are growing issues and concerns for assuring:
- Product safety and safety-related quality
- User/patient safety
- Employee/contractor safety
As well as the wellbeing of other stakeholders
Optimizing C-Suite Dynamics - Nov 2 2023 - Dave Litwiller - Public.pptxDave Litwiller
In this presentation, Dave Litwiller explores the critical aspects of optimizing C-Suite dynamics in scale-up stage technology companies. Collaborative leadership dynamics are vital in influencing a company's performance during rapid growth and evolving markets. The core model for the C-Suite, inspired by Peter Drucker, identifies the roles of Outside Visionary, Inside Visionary, and Disciplinarian. The CEO team construct is discussed, emphasizing its strengths in reducing CEO isolation and maintaining defined roles.
Key vital sign indicators for C-Suite teams are highlighted, focusing on decision-making and diversity of thought. The distinct challenges of the Disciplinarian role are addressed, including the need for a deep understanding of operational realities. The presentation also touches upon interpreting C-Suite criticisms and common friction areas among team members.
To resolve conflicts and enhance C-Suite cooperation, various mechanisms and strategies are explored, such as conflict resolution procedures, mediation, role changes, and alignment of goals and values. By understanding and addressing these dynamics, organizations can foster a more effective C-Suite.
Market Volatility Considerations for Scale-up Stage Tech Companies in 2023 - ...Dave Litwiller
Leading tools to help prepare for and to navigate increasingly turbulent times for scale-up stage tech firms:
- Scenario planning
- Productivity enhancement drivers, particularly for knowledge-based work
- Instrumenting and monitoring revenue generation dynamics for signs of significant market and customer changes
- Individual, group, and institutional methods to increase the velocity of learning and adaptation, as well as distributed action
- Increasing awareness and sensitivity to changes in customer value proposition and adoption decision mechanics
Improving AI Development - Dave Litwiller - Jan 11 2022 - PublicDave Litwiller
A conversational tour through some things I’ve learned in helping scale-up stage client companies improve their AI development practices, especially where deep neural nets (DNNs) are in use.
Leading Transformation and Accelerating Change at Scale - Apr 20 2021 - Dave ...Dave Litwiller
In response to a burst of requests from the scale-up community for help working through the issues with larger magnitude change initiatives, here is a set of highlight thoughts and preferred approaches.
Applying TQM and the Toyota Production System in Development of Software Arti...Dave Litwiller
Adapting TPS Tools and Techniques for Enterprise TQM to Software, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning Development Organizations
The Agile Learning Organization - Dave Litwiller - Sept 17 2020 - PublicDave Litwiller
Adapting Organizational Capabilities in Scale-up Technology Businesses to Thrive in the Strategic Environment using the Principles of TQM
- Enhance organizational learning capacity and agility
- Build connective capacity across functions and time horizons, to counter tendencies toward silos
- Develop leadership bandwidth at all levels to expand institutional capability for productive change
Skye Residences | Extended Stay Residences Near Toronto Airportmarketingjdass
Experience unparalleled EXTENDED STAY and comfort at Skye Residences located just minutes from Toronto Airport. Discover sophisticated accommodations tailored for discerning travelers.
Website Link :
https://skyeresidences.com/
https://skyeresidences.com/about-us/
https://skyeresidences.com/gallery/
https://skyeresidences.com/rooms/
https://skyeresidences.com/near-by-attractions/
https://skyeresidences.com/commute/
https://skyeresidences.com/contact/
https://skyeresidences.com/queen-suite-with-sofa-bed/
https://skyeresidences.com/queen-suite-with-sofa-bed-and-balcony/
https://skyeresidences.com/queen-suite-with-sofa-bed-accessible/
https://skyeresidences.com/2-bedroom-deluxe-queen-suite-with-sofa-bed/
https://skyeresidences.com/2-bedroom-deluxe-king-queen-suite-with-sofa-bed/
https://skyeresidences.com/2-bedroom-deluxe-queen-suite-with-sofa-bed-accessible/
#Skye Residences Etobicoke, #Skye Residences Near Toronto Airport, #Skye Residences Toronto, #Skye Hotel Toronto, #Skye Hotel Near Toronto Airport, #Hotel Near Toronto Airport, #Near Toronto Airport Accommodation, #Suites Near Toronto Airport, #Etobicoke Suites Near Airport, #Hotel Near Toronto Pearson International Airport, #Toronto Airport Suite Rentals, #Pearson Airport Hotel Suites
Premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions for Modern BusinessesSynapseIndia
Stay ahead of the curve with our premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions. Our expert developers utilize MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js to create modern and responsive web applications. Trust us for cutting-edge solutions that drive your business growth and success.
Know more: https://www.synapseindia.com/technology/mean-stack-development-company.html
Implicitly or explicitly all competing businesses employ a strategy to select a mix
of marketing resources. Formulating such competitive strategies fundamentally
involves recognizing relationships between elements of the marketing mix (e.g.,
price and product quality), as well as assessing competitive and market conditions
(i.e., industry structure in the language of economics).
VAT Registration Outlined In UAE: Benefits and Requirementsuae taxgpt
Vat Registration is a legal obligation for businesses meeting the threshold requirement, helping companies avoid fines and ramifications. Contact now!
https://viralsocialtrends.com/vat-registration-outlined-in-uae/
3.0 Project 2_ Developing My Brand Identity Kit.pptxtanyjahb
A personal brand exploration presentation summarizes an individual's unique qualities and goals, covering strengths, values, passions, and target audience. It helps individuals understand what makes them stand out, their desired image, and how they aim to achieve it.
Digital Transformation and IT Strategy Toolkit and TemplatesAurelien Domont, MBA
This Digital Transformation and IT Strategy Toolkit was created by ex-McKinsey, Deloitte and BCG Management Consultants, after more than 5,000 hours of work. It is considered the world's best & most comprehensive Digital Transformation and IT Strategy Toolkit. It includes all the Frameworks, Best Practices & Templates required to successfully undertake the Digital Transformation of your organization and define a robust IT Strategy.
Editable Toolkit to help you reuse our content: 700 Powerpoint slides | 35 Excel sheets | 84 minutes of Video training
This PowerPoint presentation is only a small preview of our Toolkits. For more details, visit www.domontconsulting.com
Tata Group Dials Taiwan for Its Chipmaking Ambition in Gujarat’s DholeraAvirahi City Dholera
The Tata Group, a titan of Indian industry, is making waves with its advanced talks with Taiwanese chipmakers Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) and UMC Group. The goal? Establishing a cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication unit (fab) in Dholera, Gujarat. This isn’t just any project; it’s a potential game changer for India’s chipmaking aspirations and a boon for investors seeking promising residential projects in dholera sir.
Visit : https://www.avirahi.com/blog/tata-group-dials-taiwan-for-its-chipmaking-ambition-in-gujarats-dholera/
Memorandum Of Association Constitution of Company.pptseri bangash
www.seribangash.com
A Memorandum of Association (MOA) is a legal document that outlines the fundamental principles and objectives upon which a company operates. It serves as the company's charter or constitution and defines the scope of its activities. Here's a detailed note on the MOA:
Contents of Memorandum of Association:
Name Clause: This clause states the name of the company, which should end with words like "Limited" or "Ltd." for a public limited company and "Private Limited" or "Pvt. Ltd." for a private limited company.
https://seribangash.com/article-of-association-is-legal-doc-of-company/
Registered Office Clause: It specifies the location where the company's registered office is situated. This office is where all official communications and notices are sent.
Objective Clause: This clause delineates the main objectives for which the company is formed. It's important to define these objectives clearly, as the company cannot undertake activities beyond those mentioned in this clause.
www.seribangash.com
Liability Clause: It outlines the extent of liability of the company's members. In the case of companies limited by shares, the liability of members is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares. For companies limited by guarantee, members' liability is limited to the amount they undertake to contribute if the company is wound up.
https://seribangash.com/promotors-is-person-conceived-formation-company/
Capital Clause: This clause specifies the authorized capital of the company, i.e., the maximum amount of share capital the company is authorized to issue. It also mentions the division of this capital into shares and their respective nominal value.
Association Clause: It simply states that the subscribers wish to form a company and agree to become members of it, in accordance with the terms of the MOA.
Importance of Memorandum of Association:
Legal Requirement: The MOA is a legal requirement for the formation of a company. It must be filed with the Registrar of Companies during the incorporation process.
Constitutional Document: It serves as the company's constitutional document, defining its scope, powers, and limitations.
Protection of Members: It protects the interests of the company's members by clearly defining the objectives and limiting their liability.
External Communication: It provides clarity to external parties, such as investors, creditors, and regulatory authorities, regarding the company's objectives and powers.
https://seribangash.com/difference-public-and-private-company-law/
Binding Authority: The company and its members are bound by the provisions of the MOA. Any action taken beyond its scope may be considered ultra vires (beyond the powers) of the company and therefore void.
Amendment of MOA:
While the MOA lays down the company's fundamental principles, it is not entirely immutable. It can be amended, but only under specific circumstances and in compliance with legal procedures. Amendments typically require shareholder
Unveiling the Secrets How Does Generative AI Work.pdfSam H
At its core, generative artificial intelligence relies on the concept of generative models, which serve as engines that churn out entirely new data resembling their training data. It is like a sculptor who has studied so many forms found in nature and then uses this knowledge to create sculptures from his imagination that have never been seen before anywhere else. If taken to cyberspace, gans work almost the same way.
Exploring Patterns of Connection with Social Dreaming
Future Office Layout and Productivity Considerations for Startups and Scale ups - Dave Litwiller - July 2020
1. Future Office Layout and Productivity Considerations for Tech Startups and Scale-Ups
Dave Litwiller
July 16, 2020
Keywords
Office layout;officedesign;openoffice; productivity;collaboration;creativity;noise;distraction;
privacy;culture;trust;onboarding;startup;scale-up
Introduction
The Covid-19response whichmoved muchoffice worktovirtual hascreateda natural productivity
experimentinthe knowledgeeconomy. The favourable earlyresults beingreportedbyfirms with
employeesworkingfromhome are challengingthe widespreadassumptionsaboutthe meritof
extremelyopenoffices aswere frequentlyadoptedintechnologycompaniespriortothe pandemic. For
companiesthatwill continue tohave offices whichare now designingre-occupancyplans,social
distancingrequirementsofferanopportunitytoreverttopotentiallymore productive formsof office
layout.
RecentTrends and Challenges
Relativelyhighproductivity hasbeenwidely reportedfrommuchof the techsector duringthe time it
has been operatingpredominantly withemployeesworkingfromhome,forthe pastseveral months.
Thishas raisedanew questionsaboutthe seculartrendsinoffice designashadprevailedpriortothe
pandemic,particularlythe prevalence andformof the openoffice.
The sustained pushtowardmore openoffices intechoverthe pasttwodecades (andinsome cases
evenlonger–like HPand Intel) waslikelydriveninpartsby fashion,emulationof successful tech
companies,the promotional impactof economicinterestsbenefittingfromthe trend (office furniture
vendors,interiordesignfirms,developersandagents), anddirectcost,amongotherfactors.
Countervailingevidence tothe presumeddesirabilityof manyopenoffices asare widelyinuse now is
decisive enoughtorevisittwocore questions:
1. What the most productive formof the future office layoutforstartupsandscale-upsmightlook
like,forfirmsthatretainsome office footprint duringthe remainderof the pandemicand
beyond?
2. How these office design goalscanbe integratedwithoffice re-occupancyplansrespectingsocial
distancingrequirementswhile Covid-19remainsapublichealthrisk?
2. Redux
Despite the popularityof openoffices,there hasbeen asteadystreamof evidencesince the early1970’s
aboutthe coststo productivityfromopenoffice layouts. Difficultiesrange fromthe qualitative, suchas
workersfeelingincreasedstressfromnoise,visualdistractionsandinterruptions,tomore quantitative
such as turnover,absenteeismandjobsatisfaction. Upto a pointof openness, more communaloffices
fostercollaborationincreative interactive groupwork. Butthe difficulties they bringforexecutionin
more individualisticworkare considerable.
Recentcasesinpointof publicationsreportingonthe productivity challengesandconditionsforopen
office successwere awidelypublicizedRoyal Societypaperpublishedin2018,1
anda Harvard Business
Reviewarticle fromlate 2019.2
The findingswere consistent withmuchpastresearch. Theywere more
critical of openoffices thanthe generallyreceivedwisdom practicedinthe techindustry,andthey
provided more highlyqualifiedconditions thanare widely implemented underwhichsuchoffice layouts
are beneficial.
The response fromthe office designcommunitywastypical of earlier similarresearch throughthe years
callingintoquestion manyaspectsof openoffices:Itwasnervouslyacknowledged,thenquickly
forgotten inmostcases.
A poignantreminderof the productivitycosts fromopenoffices astheyoftenare today was offeredby
the presidentof Microsoftafew weeksagoinlate June 2020 at the CollisionConference. Whenasked
aboutthe company’slearningssincethe onsetof the pandemicandthe move tovirtual work,Brad
Smithcommentedthatamongthe company’sfindingswasthatthe highworkerproductivityinremote
workhad showedthe companythatoverthe yearsas itsofficeschangedfromprivate,tocubiclesto
nowoftenwhatamountsto justopentables,thatthere wasan underappreciateddrainonproductivity.
His comments strongly suggestedthatasthe companylooksto the future of itsoffices,the designof its
spaceswill reverttoearlierformsthatwere more productive. A furtherimplicationof hisremarkswas
that while advancesoverthe decades atMicrosoft in technology, tools,trainingandtechniqueshave
yieldedsignificantefficiencygains,thatthose gainshadinfact concealedaregressive force inthe trend
inoffice layouttowardextreme openness thathasnow beenrevealed.
Whenthe Social Science for OpenOffices was Stronger
One of the strongestcasesforopenofficesintechnologydevelopmentandspecificallysoftware
engineeringtoenhance productivity wasinahighlycited IEEETransactionson Software Engineering
paperpublishedin2002.3
Of note though forthe highproductivityachieved,the size of the shared
spaceswas limited,andthe interrelatednessof the workwashigh amongcollocatedteammembers.
1 Bernstein, E. & Turban, S. (2018),The Impact of the ‘open’ workspaceon human collaboration. Phil.Trans.R.
Soc. B373: 20170239
2 Bernstein, E. & Waber, B. (2019),‘The Truth About Open Offices – There are reasons why they don’t produce the
desired interactions’,Harvard Business Review,Nov-Dec 2019
3 Teasley, S. D.; Covi,L.; Krishnan,M.S. & Olson,J. S. (2002), 'Rapid Software Development through Team
Collocation.',IEEETrans. Software Eng. 28 (7), 671-683
3. Theywere notopenofficesasthe meaningof the termhas morphedincommonusage today;the
reference thentoopenoffices wasmore like whatinthe pastwere sometimes knownas“warrooms.”
The openspaces profiledinthatresearch providedforroughlythe size of asprintteam,withindividual
workstationsanda large conference table:
There has beenaremarkable driftsince thattime tothe form of openoffices. The more circumscribed
earlierconcepthasnow beenoverdriventothe extreme openoffices of today. The assumed benefitsof
the modernformsare largelybasedon presumed contributionsratherthanempirical evidence gathered
withadequate experimentalcontrols.
As techfirmslookto revampthe layoutof theiroffice spacesforre-occupancyinthe Covid-19era,itis
an apt time to revisitthe more qualifiedandnuancednature of the productive formof openoffices,vs.
the momentuminoffice designthathasdriventhe trendline inmanycasesto counterproductivelevels
of excess. Whetherusedforsprintteams,taskforces,projectteams,departments,orevenasa vehicle
to helpinculturationduringonboardingtobuildtrustandchemistry,more limitedscale openoffices
offera reconfigurationopportunityinsociallydistancedre-occupancyplans thatmaybe able to help
boostproductivityandimpact forcontinuingoffice spacesfortechfirms.
What the Office of the Future Might Look Like
Most office re-occupancyplanscall forbetween30% and 50% of pre-pandemicworkerdensitylevels
while still maintainingsocial distancing. Inthisrange of repopulation,the opportunityexiststorevamp
spacesinline withthe higherproductivityformsof openofficesaswere demonstratedinthe past. The
layoutsofferedinthe 2002 IEEE papershownabove provide astartingpointforcompanyexecutivesto
consideralongwiththeirothercorporate goalsforin-personcollaborationmovingforward.
Future office layoutstoenhance productiveinteractionof collocatinggroups willbe particularly
importantforlimitedsized teamsworkingonhighlyinterrelatedwork,usuallywithanapproaching
deadline andsignificantmutual propagationof change orlearning. Inthese situations,the benefitsof
intensivemutual communicationandawareness will likely outweighthe costs(noise,visual distractions,
lack of privacy).
4. Conclusion
The publichealth andeconomiccrisesof Covid-19have forceda rapidchange in habitsand
expectations. Asmanystartupand scale-uptechfirmslooktopartiallyre-occupyofficesinthe months
ahead,an opportunityexiststoresettoa higherproductivityformof office layout. Withthe rightoffice
design,the benefits of appropriateopenness canbe renewed notonly forcollaboration,creativity and
serendipitousinteractions,butalsotobuild trustandculture inway that much more easilyhappensin
personthanvirtually. Atthe same time, itisfeasible formanytomove awayfromthe overreaching
openoffice layoutsthatwere commonbefore the pandemic andshedthe underappreciatedcoststhey
oftenimposed.
Paul Romerfamously said,ashave manysimilarlybefore andsince:A crisisisa terrible thingtowaste.
The office reconfiguration elementof sociallydistancedre-occupancyplansprovidesafavourable
circumstance formany techstartupsand scale-upstoexperimentwithpotentiallymore productive
formsof collocationthanthe extremesof openofficestowhichmanytechfirmshad reachedpriorto
the pandemic.
Author Contact
dave.litwiller@communitech.ca
CEO Coach and StrategyMentor
