Modern workplaces and the way we work have undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. Businesses embracing new technologies and trends have experienced greater performance and productivity. Their focus on agility and their ability to adapt has proven to be a major driving force in getting and staying ahead in business.
As this decade ushers in a whole new generation of employees, we expect to see shifts which strongly influence ways of working for many decades to come.
We spoke to some of our in-house experts to find out what they think will be some of the top workplace trends to watch out for in 2020. Here’s what they said.
1. Transparency
Drew Fairnham, General Manager, Business Solutions
Proactive and authentic workplace communication supported by effective internal communication channels, will be one of the most influential factors in maintaining a healthy work environment in 2020.
Just as customer expectations of companies are evolving, so are employees. Establishing and maintaining both transparent and open lines of communication across teams, peers and management, helps remove barriers and better supports a culture of collaboration and growth.
Cloud communication and collaboration solutions are already a big play with enterprise businesses, but going into this decade, it will facilitate growth of small and medium sized businesses alike. Cloud is key to unifying communication across the organisation and can facilitate efficiency in remote working, a mobile workforce, as well as disparate business services including video conferencing with best in class IT functionality.
For your organisation’s cloud communication requirements, be sure to check out Winc’s portfolio of cloud services by registering on Cloud.Winc.
2. A seamless digital environment
Ben Tierney, General Manager, Technology and MPS Solutions
This is the decade when Gen Z (anyone born from 1997 onward) will take over the global workforce. With millennials transitioning into leadership roles, Gen Z is the newest entrant to the workforce. Unique compared to all previous generations, Gen Z are digital natives, born and raised in an entirely internet-driven environment.
Digital collaboration tools, remote working solutions and flexible work schedules are just some of the things businesses will need to start investing in further to effectively manage this transformation. The digital journey for employees will begin from the recruitment process itself with an increased reliance on AI and intelligent data-matching algorithms. As workplace tech evolves, the skills to go with it also need to be continually updated. Technology-led training, re-skilling and self-development programs will also take centre stage as employees across are more likely to proactively seek out such opportunities.
To find out more about the range of Technology Solutions offered by Winc for your organisation, click here.
3. Personalisation in the workplace
Luke Papadopoulos, Head of Print and Marketing Services
Personalisation has been a growing trend in marketing for nearly a decade now. Recent examples from global brands have successfully demonstrated the role personalisation plays in improving customer experience, building brand preference and engagement.
Personalisation in the workplace will play an important role in employee engagement particularly in in the case of Gen Z who will account for nearly 36% of the workforce in 2020. Gen Z are characterised as being internet centric digital natives and personalisation closes the gap between the digital content they routinely consume across social media and other internet-based platforms and static print and promotional items making it an effective approach to attract, engage and retain high performing teams.
If you’re interested in exploring personalisation solutions for your organisation, be sure to check out Winc’s suite of Print and Marketing Services here.
4. Modularity
Matt Newell, General Manager, Furniture
The way a company functions and operates is intrinsic to its business identity and culture. This is increasingly reflected in organisational workplace design. Our understanding of the ever-evolving needs of workspaces enables us to better support people, create environments which improve performance and productivity, increase collaboration, inspire new ideas, enhance wellbeing and attract new talent.
In 2020 we expect to see the continued shift towards modular workspaces supporting flexible and agile working styles, leaving impersonal environments as a thing of the past. Features including adjustable lighting and technology, through to modular furniture enable the complete transformation of zones in no time at all – maximising the use of your space and providing teams with the flexibility to meet, work comfortably in private, or collaborate on practical projects.
Winc offers a host of business interiors solutions that can help you build flexible and reconfigurable spaces in your workplace. For more information, click here.
5. Sustainability in the workplace
Terry-Lee Smith, Contracts Manager, Furniture
With the rise of eco-friendly and sustainable products, workplaces need to ensure they are doing their part in constructing the future of work. Eco-friendly and sustainable furniture not only looks great – it’s a massive investment in future employees.
In a world full of chaos and pollution, your workplace can do its part to be more eco-friendly. Some benefits of adopting eco-friendly and sustainable products include better interior design aesthetics contributing to a better environment, decreasing your carbon footprint and making your employees proud to work at your company.
Sustainability looks beyond the product cost to make decisions based on the entire life cycle of furniture while taking into consideration the costs, environmental and social risks and benefits as well as broader social and environmental implications.
Throughout 2020, expect to see more focus on sustainability across every type of organisation.
6. Employee wellbeing (mental and physical)
Terri Birger, Medical and Health Specialist
Businesses are expected to ensure a healthy work environment for their workforce, as this can impact their own health and wellbeing, growth and development and creative and innovative thinking.
Organisations should embrace an inclusive culture that is flexible and reflective of individual employee needs. The workforce of today comprises of a mix of people from a diverse range of backgrounds, and everybody embodies different life experiences, skills and abilities. It is the inclusivity of diversity that fuels new ideas and thinking within an organisation and should be nurtured.
Offering employees a variety of positive options to meet different physical, emotional and mental health needs and preferences is rewarded with happy and motivated teams. Some such ideas include:
Wellbeing Day: Offer employees one day off each year to do something they are passionate about.
Massage Day: Whether you’ve been crouched over a desk for too long, lifting heavy loads or simply on-the-go without stopping, it’s surprising the difference a 10-minute neck massage can make to the way you feel, and the way you feel about your employer.
Community and Volunteer Opportunities: Did you know that people who volunteer are happier, healthier and sleep better than those who don’t, which is why volunteering is associated with greater health and happiness. At Winc, we offer two days of paid volunteering leave for all team members for community and disaster relief work.
Other tips to increase health and wellbeing include office fruit baskets, flexibility in workplace and workhours, which can show a substantial increase in productivity, and study assistance to support growth and development both professionally and personally.
