This may sound almost hard to believe – however – when I worked in one of the top oil trading and refining companies in the world, I introduced the open seating floor plan for the operations team and it took off throughout many other areas of the company.
Before then, only the trading guys had a partial open floor plan.
Our communication between each other was greatly enhanced and we were able to provide each other with assistance in a variety of items, That just never happened before, or if it did, it was the exception not the rule.
Now the open floor plan is in every business and floor design across all industries.
However, many are finding out that for some employees this type of work environment is hurting their productivity. Secondly, it has become difficult to find a secure place to have a meeting with a few people in privacy on sensitive matters.
It is worth your time to personally review if your work environment helps you or hurts you in terms of your productivity.
Let’s begin with a larger business environment.
Ask yourself – I am easily distracted by conversations others are having nearby?
Do I need to go outside or to another area in order to have a personal conversation with someone while at work? By the way what type of conversation is considered personal has a wide range among various people.
Do I feel that others are listening to me on the phone and judging how I speak and interact with clients and others when I am on the phone? Even though we all work together?
Next let’s discuss the solo-business operator.
Specifically let’s discuss a web designer or code type developer (consider this a loose definition as there are numerous others which fit the role here and some do not at all). Generally, many of these folks I have worked with tend to create an environment which secludes them from anything they deem to be a distraction. Think – no windows – no outside direct doors – therefore no sunlight and no human live interactions. How long does an environment such as this begin to change the personality of this individual?
If a few changes were made even for a few hours each day, a world of change in performance might take place. Select a few hours a day to work somewhere there are humans to interact with. Go for a walk when you have a phone call scheduled with someone. We often have our coaching calls while they are walking around outside.
If Starbucks works for you work from your local Starbucks a few days or hours on certain days each week. Who knows maybe the regulars will network with you and you with them.
The bottom line is look at your environment where you spend much of your time working and determine if it is hurting or helping you in your productivity.
Mitch Tublin is the CEO and Founder of Wenkroy International LLC a boutique consulting company with a main focus on Strategic Business Consulting, Training and Business Coaching. Our passion is to take people to the next level in their life and in their business. Are you interested in having Mitch speak at your company or event – click here?
