Change is a constant in any environment, and office design is no exception. Defining place identity is an integral part of the design process when creating a workspace of inclusion. The pressure is on to start up, retain talent, encourage cross-functional collaboration, enhance exposure to different kinds of expertise, and accelerate creativity and innovation. What we’ve learned is that what works for one industry has not necessarily worked for all.
Even with the best of intentions in an open plan office design, workplaces can be challenged by communication barriers that can impede their success story. What is commonly referred to in business circles as the Silo Mentality is defined by the Business Dictionary as the mindset present when certain departments or sectors do not wish to share information with others in the same company. This type of mentality will reduce efficiency in the overall operation, reduce morale, and may contribute to the demise of a productive company culture. It all comes down to accountability and communication.
Workbench technology is an enduring workplace tradition, for many good reasons. Benching systems are a simple, efficient, straightforward and adaptable. From the crude wood tables used for centuries by artisans and craftspeople to today’s sleek and technology-infused versions for knowledge workers, benching is a concept that’s continuing to evolve to meet a wide variety of workplace needs. In North America, the trend toward benching has been catching on fast because it’s a hard-working solution that addresses converging business realities.
