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by Kay K. Bellamy
Working from home can be awesome ... right up until the baby throws up on your computer, your dog is barking at every car and leaf that blows by and your neighbor decides to fire up every power tool in the garage to see which is the loudest.
This phenomenon of working remotely has become the business culture of today and while it fits the mold for some jobs – there are many jobs that need to return to the office. But how do you get employees excited about returning to the office after having the luxury of working from the comforts of their homes? Survey says, the answer to that question is in the design and furniture in your office. It's depending on the upgrades and changes you'll make to accommodate comfort, cleanliness and social distancing. Having options and flexibility is what has employees geeked about getting back to business. They want to feel like they’re working from home in the office.
Working from home is appealing to most simply because it represents a sense of freedom. From the comfy couch to the oversized chair, to the dining table, kitchen counter or desk in the home office – it all represents the freedom of mobility. The freedom to choose where they sit while they work. But turning your homes into offices takes away the line of separation between work and play, and that line is necessary for the sake of your sanity and family.
Believe it or not, people want to return to the workplace because the office is undoubtedly the pulse of human, social and business connections. It’s where we spend one-third of our time with people that become life-long friends sharing some of the most pivotal moments in our lives. It’s the place where brilliant minds hold conversations about projects and strategies at the Keurig, in the conference room or behind glass walls – not to mention those spontaneous interactions that turn into life-changing ideas for clients, customers and your business.
If you pay attention, you'll notice some of the most popular TV shows of past and present are centered around the workplace - Mary Tyler Moore, Parks & Recreation, Murphy Brown, Mad Men, Superstore, Billions, everything presidential and of course the hit TV show “ The Office”, and this list doesn't begin to scratch the surface. While these are made-for-TV examples, the scripts were written on the foundation that the office plays a significant role in our daily lives.
We are so busy simulating homes and remote locations to make them feel like the office - when we should be simulating the office to make it feel like home. So, before you break the lease and lock the doors to the office for good, take a moment to reevaluate the functionality of your workspace because the office is essential, and necessary and it ain’t goin’ anywhere. Let us upgrade you!