http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-10/gains-in-u-s-worker-productivity-probably-stalled-pushing-labor-costs-up.html

So, how do we maintain the productivity of the past and harness it to continue increasing profits in the near future?  I believe that the greatest risk to productivity can be found in the lack of investment over the past ten years in the workplace’s physical infrastructure.

Since 2001, very little investment has been made in the workplace.  Many organizations are housing their staff in aging cubicles with dismal lighting and individualized environmental controls.  The current corporate workplace norm includes older workstations that lack the ability to support teamwork and collaboration; private offices that eat up valuable real estate (what a throw back), small conference rooms that have been adapted to house three to four folks in a less than ideal situation.  And, the working environment is in deep need of a fresh coat of paint and some basic sprucing up.

It is time.  It’s time for the workplace to evolve.  Today’s new worker was most likely in middle school when their workstation was purchased, and to them, the environment feels completely out of date. High panels that are not easily reconfigured will not be attractive to the new knowledge worker.  They want to work virtually and they feel disconnected in yesterday’s cubicle.  The millennial generation wants access.  They do not want to be restricted from engagement, regardless of their specific work area.  They have never done anything in a singular fashion…but rather prefer to work collaboratively along side their peers and superiors.  They are not linear, often are not overly scheduled, and have a growing preference for visual learning.  Today’s knowledge worker is seeking a fresh environment.

There are two ways that productivity can continue to increase.  We have leveraged technology to its current limits.  And, although companies are working lean, harnessing the power of the software that has already been purchased, and increasing communication between associates will prove to delay the need to throw worker’s at production oriented tasks.  First, let’s renovate.  It seems that if each corporation were to make a one time capital investment in their facility, they could set the stage to accommodate more workers in a lesser footprint, and through these reconfigurations allow the workers to increase their collaboration, communication and productivity.  Renovation is a one time capital investment that can provide significant results and save cash that might otherwise be placed into expanding an otherwise modestly efficient working environment.  Think about it.

I have two at home that help me understand their perspective.  And, when we are designing workplaces, and suggesting items for purchase, and spending client dollars like we have them, we might want to consider the needs of these future workers.  Somehow, I don’t see them as being interested in the Neocon Gold “bench”.  Just saying.

http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/

check it out.

Things are just needed sooner in today’s workplace.  There is little patience…and our American work ethic drives our society towards advancing the day.  We have to work at home.  We really never turn off our device.  And, the design of any workplace environment needs to reflect this.  Sure, some folks sit in the same place all day…and they need a standard working environment.  But, most of us are doing things on the fly without significant separation between environments.  I might even suggest that work is home and home is work.  So…..why are we placing folks in these silly rectangular cubes?   Let’s learn from our mobility and recognize that we can probably give more useful tools to our associates if we simply stop and think about how they work.  Just watch them….and learn.  Thursday, August 19, 2010 is national watch how we work day.  Look around and learn.  And then use that research as a vehicle for improved workplace design.

At the end of the show, I was amazingly more satisfied with my experience. And, I know why.  Our practice has always been focused on the development of classic design prototypes.  We do not embrace fad or chase our tails applying trends.  Instead, we look for subtle enrichment in products.  How do we learn from our mistakes and provide better service to clients?  This is our quest.  NeoCon 2010 was all about subtle enrichment of existing classic projects.  I was particularly impressed with the growing similarity among the product selection among the big office systems players.  They all have visited each other’s showrooms…and/or shared ideas.  Remarkably, the similarities help to highlight the quality differences that always seemed so challenging to ascertain.

My goal at this year’s show was to seek out information related to local manufacturing of product.  As our firm grows in its commitment to sustainability, we have chosen local manufacturing as a target for our specifications.  It helps our midwestern economy as well…and I can’t think of a more sustainable solution than local products that infuse our midwestern neighbors with income and profit.

And, in 2010….I drove my 40 mpg Nissan Cube to the show.  Took me some more time..but, saved a ton of energy and fuel; and I was able to sort out my thoughts.  Looking forward to 2011.