Is your workspace holding you back?
Let me explain. Because of what we do [we're a conference calling company in case you didn't know], when we talk about business efficiency, we usually look at ways businesses can save time or money by changing their methods. But a conversation the other day prompted me to wonder whether there wasn’t an opportunity for greater efficiency staring us in the face every time we sit down to work – ie should we be doing something different with our workspaces?
Are they optimally designed? Could we rearrange things to increase productivity? I decided to research the issue, and how better than to look at the workspaces of the world, courtesy of Flickr? I had a look around and realised workspaces can be loosely categorised into groups. Which one is yours? Or, more to the point, which one would you like to be?
Techspace [courtesy of No Robotcha!]
Tech heaven. The more screens the better. And three mice [mouses?] doesn’t mean inefficiency, it means business. Note: no need for desk space to store paper. Everything is digital.
Artspace [courtesy of velluminous rex]
Form before function. Beauty before practicality. When your workspace looks this good, you can’t help but be inspired to produce better work. Ideal for people with creative jobs, large offices or simply with money to burn.
Minimalspace [courtesy of macgeek 13]
Cool. Small. Enough said.
Clutterspace [courtesy of victory island]
Back to reality. A workspace that is lived in, with a filing system understood by one person only. Comfortable, real and reassuring. My kind of workspace.
Greenspace [courtesy of subdued 7]
Beautiful. Calming. A space designed to take you away from the dirty commercial here and now, and transport you to another level. Whether it leads to greater productivity or just weirder dreams, I don’t know.
So how does your workspace compare? Look around yourself now. What could you do with yours? Would more creative surroundings help you? Or could you just do with a little tidy up? Or are you happy with your clutter – because at least it’s your clutter.
Let’s hope at least that we’ve provided some inspiration for a workspace that either makes you happier or more efficient. Or, ideally, both.
#1 by Dan A at 4th November 2009
I very much like to work in an ‘artspace’, as you’ve called it, but if I’m telling the truth my office space as I look at it right now is more of a ‘Clutterspace’.
Mind you, I don’t necessarily see that as a bad thing. Usually, if I’ve been productive my desk looks like it has. If it’s neat and tidy, it means I’ve probably had time on my hands to clear it up!
#2 by Carl at 9th November 2009
I never get any work done, largely because my space is full of loud music and teenage girls.