Collaboration and connection: how utilisation data is changing the office

Collaboration and connection: how utilisation data is changing the office

How does your company use its office space? Chances are that usage has changed dramatically post-pandemic – but have design and operations caught up?

The 2022-23 CBRE Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights report highlights the importance of gathering utilisation data to drive efficiencies and create a workplace that nurtures collaboration and connection.

So, let’s delve into the report’s key findings and see what you can do to make your office fit for the hybrid working era.

Collaborative working

The report surveyed 60 companies that together occupy 493 million square feet of office space across the globe. It found that 71% plan to expand their hybrid working programme in the next three years.

CBRE’s Susan Wasmund says: “Employees’ work styles have changed more in the past two years than in the previous 20. Companies that measure space utilisation have a better understanding of employee preferences and work habits, making it easier for them to design spaces that attract employees back to the office.”

Fortunately, 90% of companies do now collect utilisation data – up from just 11% in 2021. Increasingly, this is in real-time, allowing companies to design and manage their office space more dynamically.

The most common method for assessing occupancy is access badge swipes, while visual observation, corporate WiFi logins and sensors are also used.

This data is leading to several adaptations. Some 16% of space is now dedicated to collaborative uses, such as pods and lounges – up from 13% last year. Support functions and amenities such as cafeterias have also increased in size by several percentage points.

Meanwhile, space allocated to private offices and assigned desks stands at 40%, down from 53% in 2021. As more companies shift to unassigned seating, workstations are getting larger, too.

And to avoid clashes over desk space, a reservations system is now used by 54% of companies – double last year’s figure.

Facilities management

The key to creating effective post-pandemic office spaces is to design a workplace that can’t easily be replicated elsewhere.

“69% of respondents have revisited their workplace design standards over the course of the pandemic. During that time, over 85% have focused on changes to their open and enclosed collaboration spaces that support connection, which is the primary reason employees are coming to the office.”

The CBRE describes this new way of designing and managing office space as “purpose-driven flexibility”. So, what implications does it have for your company – and how can DMG help?

Here are some quick tips:

1. First, you should collect accurate data about occupancy. As well as the methods listed above, visitor books and CCTV cameras can also provide valuable information to shape your policies.
2. You’ll then need to reconfigure your office furniture. It’s an investment that will pay off, as you reshape your workspaces to focus on in-person collaboration.
3. The type of technology you’ll need will change, too. Laptops are more flexible than desktop computers, as well as being more energy-efficient to run.
4. By investing in the latest meeting equipment such as digital projectors, you’ll ensure that collaboration becomes more efficient, with less time wasted on failing tech!
5. With fewer people in the office, you should be able to streamline your stock ordering. At DMG, we can provide all the office supplies you need, from printer cartridges to box files and much more.
6. Consider how to make your office a welcoming space where people want to gather and collaborate. At DMG, we can provide fuel for thought with everything from coffee to confectionery.

Want an office supplies partner who can help you create a sustainable, flexible and efficient office where your staff love to work? Get in touch today.