A workspace is a complex ecosystem that can influence the dynamics of a team within the company. In this article, we will therefore focus in more detail on the workspace and its role in team cohesion. We will give you some advice on how to properly organize your various spaces and benefit from maximum collaboration between your employees.
What is a workspace?
Definition of a “workspace”
Before we discuss the benefits of the workspace in detail in Team cohesion, it is important to define this term well.
A workspace includes the environment in which individuals carry out their professional activities. It is not limited to a simple physical configuration: it also includes the entire ecosystem in which employees interact, create, and collaborate.
The workspace can thus include offices, meeting rooms, common areas, or any other room in which employees can carry out their daily tasks. It also includes technologies, tools, or other communication methods used to make work easier. We thus speak of a physical and virtual workspace.
The different types of spaces
Among the various physical workspaces, we find:
- Open Spaces. These spaces include several offices, not delimited by physical partitions. They are appreciated for their ability to promote spontaneous interactions between employees in the same team.
- Individual offices. They allow employees to focus on their individual tasks without being excessively disturbed. They are prized for the privacy they provide to those who use them.
- Common areas. Relaxation spaces are designed to promote rest and relaxed interactions, which can strengthen relationships between employees. Among the common areas, there are also meeting rooms, specially designed to accommodate different people during work sessions.
Virtual workspaces are linked to software or communication platforms, such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack, etc. It can also be an Intranet or any other software developed by the company itself.
How can workspaces improve cohesion?
They influence collaboration and communication
The physical organization of the workplace can play a critical role in collaboration and Communication of a team.
Indeed, a thoughtful layout of offices can stimulate exchanges between members of a team, or even between employees from different departments or departments. Thus, it is interesting to place cross-functional teams close to each other in order to facilitate information sharing and problem solving. By encouraging spontaneous communication, employees connect more naturally and share ideas more naturally.
Virtual spaces can also play a key role in promoting exchanges and coordination: platforms or other communication tools allow employees to interact with each other very easily, regardless of distance. With virtual spaces, it's easier to organize regular remote meetings, share documents, or even discuss ongoing challenges online. This guarantees fluidity in exchanges, thus promoting collaboration and cohesion.
They contribute to the creation and strengthening of corporate culture
Corporate culture represents shared values, beliefs, and behaviors within an organization. The workplace can reflect these values and contribute to a strong and consistent corporate identity.
For example, physical spaces can be designed to embody core business principles. Stimulating environments, spaces for creative collaboration or even relaxation areas can send a strong message about the culture of innovation and well-being at work.
Virtual spaces can also contribute to the strengthening of corporate culture. Platforms can be used to share inspiring stories, celebrate collective successes, or even strengthen emotional connections between team members, even if they are at a distance. This reinforces a sense of shared mission, which promotes closer collaboration and cohesion.
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How to organize the workspace to promote cohesion?
Here are some practical tips for creating cohesive workspaces.
Create collaborative spaces
Try as much as possible to create, in addition to possible open spaces, areas specially dedicated to collaboration.
For formal interactions, you can set up different meeting rooms that meet the needs of your employees. You can also choose to set up coworking spaces, which employees can go to if they want to move forward on joint projects without disturbing all the people who work in their office. Also consider collaborative tools to be used remotely for people who are not present on site.
To encourage informal exchanges and create lasting relationships between employees, consider creating relaxation areas where those who need them can discuss topics of their choice.
Promote flexibility
Be as flexible as possible in the layout of your physical and virtual workspaces. This allows employees to adapt their work environment to their needs.
Modular offices, unallocated workstations (flex office) or even coworking spaces within the company's premises can allow employees to select the environment that best suits their needs. It also offers them the opportunity to communicate more easily with the people with whom they collaborate on their current projects.
Virtualize workspaces
When we talk about the layout of workspaces, it is often the physical aspects that are preferred. However, the virtualization of workspaces is essential to fully include all employees.
Online communication platforms, collaboration tools, and project management software can ensure constant connectivity. To be effective, your teams need user-friendly technologies, adapted to their specific needs, and that promote the fluidity of interactions.
Customizing the space according to the corporate culture
Finally, the layout of workspaces must reflect as much as possible the culture and values of the company. The way in which the furniture is arranged, the colors or the decorative elements can for example highlight the creativity, conviviality or well-being that you want to establish.
Other visual elements, such as wall designs, can create unity and a sense of belonging within the company. This can remind employees that they have shared goals.
Workspaces, whether physical or virtual, are not simply settings where employees perform their tasks. Above all, they are active elements that contribute significantly to cohesion by promoting collaboration, communication and strengthening corporate culture. Properly organizing your workspaces can also promote the attractiveness of your company, retain employees or even strengthen their motivation and your commitment. It is therefore essential to think carefully about this aspect!
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