18 Mar Create a Workspace that Speaks your Brand, Culture, Story and Values
Create a Workspace that Speaks your Brand, Culture, Story and Values
Branding a workplace is much more than just displaying the company logo at the entry façade. It’s about using the entire environment as a way to communicate the essence of your brand.
Your brand is on display at all times whether you are managing it or not, and that includes your own workplaces and offices. When employees, clients, and visitors enter your office space they see it as an extension of your company culture, and they will be making assumptions and value judgments about your brand.
An environment that accurately reflects your brand’s values filters down to every person in your organization and beyond. Associations are created and confirmed by every choice you make from layout to signage to décor and more.
Start Small and Think Big
- The approach towards branding a workplace will be to create a unique identity so that whosoever walks in can relate to your company and brand. If we are able to personalize the workplace, it results in greater workplace satisfaction and leads to higher and more positive employee and customer morale.
- If you want an office space that expresses the culture you’re trying to build, think creatively about how your office space is both a home for your company culture, as well as a driver of it.
Consider the Overall Layout
- Determining what layout your office will have, is important in maintaining a productive workforce.
- A company that values a democratic ideal might ensure that higher-ups have offices that are easy to access. Companies with more of a hierarchal structure might keep all social environments further away from the private office areas.
- The recent trend toward open workplaces (which some companies are now re-thinking), reflects an emphasis on collaboration and communication.
- It’s important to remember that, as workplace strategist Joe Flynn says, “one size does not fit all.” If your company’s a little more conservative than a cutting-edge tech firm, you may not want clients to see employees skateboarding across a room full of bean bags. – Inc Magazine
- Consider Activity Based Working (ABW). These are task-oriented spaces designed for different types of work activities, such as quiet areas for concentration, comfortable lounges for group collaboration, and “phone booths” for private phone conversations.
Choose the Right Furniture and Finishes
- Well-chosen furniture and decoration can make your office feel trustworthy, professional, innovative etc.
- Personal desks can be better for concentration, and large open space tables may help to facilitate a more cooperative work environment.
- Offering standing desks is a great way to promote physical activity.
- Matching office furniture to your brand’s colors and culture, reminds employees of where they work and instills a sense of pride and happiness.
- Your furniture choices can make your office feel less high-stress and create a sense of community and enthusiasm.
Empower Your Employees
- Allow workers to have a say in office design and to customize their space within the larger workplace.
- A recent study showed that many employees, especially Millennials, believe they help define workplace culture.
Does your workplace give an accurate picture to your employees, potential employees and customers of what type of business you are?
Need help branding your workplace? RI Group’s team of designers is here to help!
Give us a call: 800.427.5811 to discuss your project or email: info@rigroup-us.com to get started.
Sources:
- https://www.hanloncreative.com/blog/building-your-values-into-the-workplace-the-power-of-branded-environments
- https://thereceptionist.com/blog/make-office-space-reflect-office-values/
- https://www.inc.com/adam-fridman/how-to-use-your-workplace-to-ignite-your-culture.html
- http://realtyplusmag.com/the-workplace-branding/
- https://www.holtenvironments.com/branded-environments-blog/choosing-office-furniture/
