How To Build An Interactive and Innovative Workplace [Post Covid]

The coronavirus has affected every life across the globe. Now it’s time to figure out how to piece back together with everyday life. And how that affects returning to the workplace.

Read on to learn about some strategies to help your workforce return to your place of business successfully and safely.

Use Efficient Time Management Strategies

For large organizations that house hundreds or even thousands of employees in the same space, efficient time management will be crucial in life after COVID.

Time-sharing strategies could help reduce the number of staff members in one place at one time. Splitting the daily workforce into shifts and allowing those night owls to get their work done after “regular hours” might be a solid solution to enforcing social distancing.

As many businesses found out, having a wholly remote workforce didn’t result in disaster. Many companies reported increased engagement and productivity from employees who used to be in-house staff members.

Consider offering long-term remote contracts to those employees who shone brightly during this forced work-at-home environment.

The Benefits of an Interactive Office Plan for Employers

Employees who feel empowered work harder and are more committed than those who are frustrated and disengaged. As part of your company’s safe return to work plan, you need to consider how things were before COVID. And how you want them to be post-COVID. An interactive office plan benefits an employer in many ways. Especially by increasing their employees’ happiness factor.

An interactive office plan will allow employers to follow state and federal social distancing guidelines. And keep on top of how the office is laid out, who is assigned to which workstation, and when any changes are made.

There are dozens of software options designed to create interactive office plans that can be updated on the fly. Allowing your staff to be a part of the decision-making will give them a sense of purpose and more satisfaction. As well as help them to feel safe and sound at work.

An Interactive Environment Model for Floor Space

Software designed to create a more interactive environment model for your floor space utilization can also help with social distancing and limiting the number of bodies in certain areas.

Planning may also include protective barriers and repositioning furniture, workstations, and collectively used equipment such as heavy-duty copiers and fax machines.

You may also need to direct the flow of foot traffic going in one direction. Using interactive screens on the walls can help guide employees where they need to go. When necessary, you can change the flow as required using software. For example, you won’t need to affix stickers to the floor and then remove them to redirect.

Utilize Workplace by Facebook

Another excellent resource for your whole team to use is the Workplace by Facebook. Many new technologies evolved during the pandemic to help teams stay in touch and stay on task.

One such program created by Facebook is called Workplace. It includes features like video chat, posts, commenting, and groups. So you can split teams up into smaller rooms for focused discussion.

Businesses can pay a fee per employee to set up a private instance of Facebook. All staff members can collaborate and communicate on work-related issues. The Standard version is free, but the Premium version with all the bells and whistles costs $3 per user per month.

The Premium version allows users to sign on with a single sign-on. It offers APIs to integrate with other software, and you can even monitor employee usage. The paid subscription offers unlimited file storage integration, analytics, and even a mobile app.

Smart Meeting Rooms

Even before COVID, organizations were adopting new technologies. Like smart meeting rooms that combine hardware and software to allow members from around the globe to effortlessly collaborate, share resources and screens, and communicate effortlessly.

As part of your return to work plan, even if some of your staff reside in the office, it may make sense to continue remote meetings using smart technology. This will keep everyone connected but safe.

For example, a smart meeting room typically includes:

• Video conferencing hardware (cameras) and software.
• Whiteboard tools and resources for markup.
• Analytics and metrics.

Download The Post Lockdown Guide for Managers on how to ensure a safe, practical, and effective organizational reopening after the lockdown ends.

New Technology to Organize the Workplace

There are so many great new technologies out there that can enhance your workplace and boost the organization. Things like cloud storage so everyone can access the same files from everywhere are a big one. Cloud storage also provides off-site backups and declutters to your desks and file cabinets.

Collaboration tools like Slack, Asana, Zoom and Facebook’s Workplace help teams stay connected even when they are spread across the globe.
Apps for secure messaging, virtual assistants, and shared interactive calendars can help management and staff stay on the same page.

In addition, using free project management software can make an impact on task and goal-oriented projects for teams. Especially during a dispersed workforce. These programs keep an eye on workflow and help guarantee success.

Some of this technology can even keep your network and building secure. They also provide IT administration and management to observe staff activity. And improve the complete efficiency of all your operations.

Use Fixed Assets as Efficiently as Possible

Fixed assets could become an issue as the workforce returns to the office. Policies for shared resources like copiers, lunchrooms, and even bathrooms may have to change to keep things safe. For example, you may need to limit how many staff members can simultaneously use something like the elevator or stairway.

Sanitation is another issue you must consider. Find ways to use fixed assets as efficiently as possible. It will help foster trust with your employees and give them a sense of comfort and safety while at work.

All this change is not necessarily a bad thing. You may find that new, more innovative ways of doing things enhance employee satisfaction. And pads your bottom line at the same time.

This article is written by Emma Williams. She is a young business development specialist, having experience working with startups. She enjoys diving into new aspects of life, learning as much as possible. Emma believes that AI, VR/AR, and blockchain technologies are the future of business and education and spends a lot of time monitoring the latest news of a tech world. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com