OFFICES IN THE NEW NORM
Thecoronavirus pandemic had provided scare to many organizations for the past months. It took much from companies that belonged to the top tiers of the industries down to simple business man peddling products on the streets. The timing is almost good for the majority of organizations, since the first quarter is at the initial phase of the implementation of all corporate plans, but in a snap of a finger, corporate priorities shifted from business targets to health and safety.
Companies now must act, decide and even include the pandemic as a challenge in working ways on trying to play the game at a different level, with different competitors including the COVID 19 virus. The post pandemic approach of companies can be seen as a “from this” “to that approach” and the top manager must decide fast for now, what will offices look like in the near future. Let’s look at how offices will be in the days to come.
THE BASICS WILL BE HERE TO STAY.
Office desk and chairs, office tables, office seating furniture, office wall furniture, office conference tables and chairs can still be used. However as part of the compliance to the government regarding social distancing, spaces will be created to avoid contacts among workers and prevent the spread of disease. What we will see would be the sudden decline in the number of used office furniture on two occasions, some to be brought by the employees for their respective home office and management opting to free up more space and decide to get rid of excess items. Used office partitions for example and used executive office furniture can be sold and converted into money rather than having it piled or stored, remember that it’s value depreciates and if unused, it will eventually break down.
RESTRUCTURING ORGANIZATIONS
Most businesses are focused on the business targets and goals, nobody exactly predicted this catastrophe brought by paralyzing the economic movement in almost all sectors of the society. Not all businesses were given the license to operate, while some will be given restrictions. Streamlining operations will be beneficial and outsourcing will be the key, as it will tend to focus on the project requirement, rather than what or who are needed? Like in the cases of service industries who rely heavily on projects, skills are standard and can be outsourced, starting from point persons, engineers, foremen, labor skilled workers. The project will require quick thinkers that can turn the tides and beat deadlines, remember, what was learned in theory will always be the same, what matters will be finding outsourced (which is more better and practical) players that are project driven and with proven track record on time bound activities.
WHATS'S IN AND WHAT'S NOT.
To err is human. This age old saying goes for the accuracy, adaptability and independence that must be evident since we will be facing the post pandemic period. What matters most will be the preparation. Office designs will be on two set up’s and companies will be left to decide either to choose one set up or to maintain both. As offices create space, what will follow would be basic office desk, simple working table and chair, office furniture drawers etc. Local furniture stores nowadays are flexible and incorporate simple design most likely for modern meeting rooms with tables and chairs. Circular conference tables can be in, with some adjustments complemented with metal office storage cabinets. At this point, offices will tend to be going on “transparent” or see through set up to promote compliance with distancing measures. They will go for glass executive desk office furniture, office table with glass top, glass meeting table, glass office cubicles or even glass boardroom tables.
OFFICES: WILL THEY STILL BE RELEVANT?
To some sectors and industries like the government, having an office to transact and perform various tasks will be imperative.
But for new entrants, virtual offices are ideal options offering services just like having a real office.
Working from home or anywhere without distraction is a new means to an end nowadays! Having your own staff, business address,
email address and others as needed! Various add on offerings like meeting rooms for closing out deals or pent house business meetings
offered at various rates depending on the needs.
Location wise, Makati and BGC areas are teeming with this service offering, ready to move in!
This is the cost effective way to manage your business presence and intensify branding campaigns. Services are customized,
like if for business address only, address with receptionist ready to accept calls and other services.
This type of office service will continue to change how business offices are managed, and I remember having advised a research proposal on this 5 years ago,
it made a significant impact on the panel, why? I received a high comment but no recommendation, but now, it is peaking at the right moment, at the right point in time.
This will complement fast paced businesses with high caliber outsourced assets who do not recognize downtime and are always upbeat and motivated on beating the deadline.
Sometimes, owning assets can cause troubles.
JECAMS Inc. is a recognized and reliable solutions provider for office, home-office, furniture and furnishing needs. Being in business for a decade, we offer various services from planning and consultation, 3D perspective, and estimates on projects up to production. Talk to us and we’ll be happy to assist you with your concern from furniture planning to implementation, you may contact www.jecams.com.ph or @ 8.281.5618, 8.376.9251 and 8.293.2286.
