Today’s organizations are facing a new challenge: not just attracting top talent, but motivating people to choose the office over home. The secret? Creating a workplace so engaging, comfortable, and modern that people actually want to be there.
Because let’s be honest, a half-empty, uninspiring office isn’t energizing anyone. The look, feel, and functionality of your space shape how employees connect and collaborate, while also sending a powerful message to potential hires, clients, and visitors about who you are as a company.
When done well, the workplace becomes more than just four walls…it becomes a driver of productivity, culture, and wellbeing. So the real question is: is your workplace inspiring people to show up, or pushing them away?
Here are some things to consider when rethinking the experience your space delivers!
1. Offer a Balance of Spaces for Privacy and Collaboration
Providing a mixture of open and enclosed spaces that support different types of work styles and meetings, as well as different levels of privacy and acoustics, is crucial. A great workplace offers private zones for deep focus and solo calls, and collaborative areas that spark ideas, teamwork, and energy.
Quiet pods for heads-down work? Check. Buzzing hubs for brainstorming and collaboration? Also check. It’s all about giving people the right space for the task at hand, and that’s when the real magic (and productivity) happens.
2. Provide Advanced, Yet Easy-to-Use Technology Tools
Tech should work for your workplace, not make people frustrated and overwhelmed. Offering tools that keep in-person and remote employees connected is essential: think interactive displays and whiteboards, high-quality cameras, lighting, speakers and microphones, digital signage, and room reservation systems. Sound masking is also a great tool for limiting distracting noises in the workplace and allowing employees to stay focused. The key? Providing solutions that are consistent, intuitive, and easy to use.
3. Promote Access to People and Leadership
Today’s leaders need to be visible, approachable, and connected. Swapping the corner office for a spot in the open plan sends a powerful message: “I’m here, and I’m listening.” These leadership zones can still offer moments of privacy when needed, but they should feel open and welcoming, not intimidating. When leaders seem out of reach, ideas stay bottled up, concerns go unspoken, and culture can take a hit.
But accessibility isn’t just about leadership, it’s about creating a workplace where everyone feels at home. Team neighborhoods give people a central hub, where they can build stronger connections and share ideas more naturally. When people feel like they belong, they not only show up, but they thrive.
4. Support Employee Health & Wellbeing
When people feel their best, they perform their best. Access to natural light, greenery, and outdoor patios and workspaces, can spark inspiration, boost productivity, and fuel creativity. Ergonomic furniture like height adjustable desks and supportive task chairs keeps everyone comfortable, while supporting overall health and wellbeing. Plus, having dedicated spaces for breaks, relaxation, and socializing gives teams a chance to recharge, meditate, or connect, making the workday more balanced and enjoyable.
5. Create a Sought-After Destination
To keep employees engaged, your office should be a welcoming, non-sterile environment, infused with personality to reflect brand and culture. It needs to offer a special energy and buzz that people simply cannot experience at home. Adding amenities, such as snacks, coffee, and games, brings people together and makes them feel valued. To truly become a destination, the workplace must deliver a unique and enjoyable experience, blending the right architectural products, furniture, technology, design, and people.
NBS can help create a work environment that people will love and want to come to. Contact us to learn more or schedule a visit to one of our NBS locations to experience what a destination workplace looks and feels like.
