Key findings from Microsoft’s Work Trend Index Report 2020

Microsoft teams mobile app

Since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the US back in January 2020, our lives have been turned upside down – including the way we collaborate, meet, and socialize with one another. Microsoft has been studying these new ways of communication closely to determine how it has impacted workplace wellbeing on a global scale. […]

Is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs included in your return to office strategy?

modern office space

Derived from Abraham Maslow’s 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation,” Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a psychology theory comprising a five-tier model of human need. From the bottom of the hierarchy up, those needs include physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. As companies continue moving to a hybrid work model, leaders must consider the […]

Hacking your home office

graphic of home officesetup

Many of us around the world are entering new territory when it comes to working from home and creating an ergonomic home office. Rather than jump from space to space based on the activity at hand, most people are limited to what’s available in their home and trying to make do with what they already […]

Furniture solutions for working from home

modern home office setup

In light of the recent COVID-19 circumstances forcing remote work, social distancing and virtual collaboration, many of us around the world are quickly adjusting to makeshift home offices. While curling up on the couch may work well for watching your favorite movie, there are other set ups to consider that support better posture and increase […]

It’s time for leaders to tackle loneliness in the workplace

open workspace with employees

Did you know loneliness in the workplace is on the rise? According to Cigna’s recent 2020 Loneliness Index, three in five Americans (61%) report that they are lonely. Because loneliness happens both at home and at work, organizations should be paying closer attention to employee wellbeing. Additional findings from the Cigna research also reveal: Lonely workers […]

Escaping the noise

image of modern office space with demountable privacy walls

With at least 70% of organizations embracing the open office plan and people spending more than half their day working with others, it’s safe to say the workplace is a bit noisy. Modern design trends that include exposed ceilings and minimalist aesthetics add to how noise can reverberate and carry throughout a large space. Sure, […]

Using technology to boost productivity: 3 tips

employees using new workplace technology

Productivity is a major driving force for large and small businesses. Fostering a collaborative environment can be linked directly to positive business outcomes, including increased growth, employee retention, and the development of holistic business strategies. The modern office is the epicenter of recent productivity-boosting technological innovations and processes. Here are just a few. Maintain a […]

4 fresh ideas for incorporating biophilic design in the workplace

modern office space with biophilic design

Biophilia is defined as our innate fondness for and need to experience nature. Biophilic design connects people with the natural environment either directly, with plants, animals and natural elements (air, light, fire, water), indirectly with images of nature or natural-looking textures and patterns, or with space (transitional spaces that connect indoors and outdoors, architectural details, […]

Beating workplace stress in 2019

workers collaborating in an open office space

As simpler tasks have become automated, the work left for humans has become more creative and complex. We are required to be agile problem-solvers, we work in teams more often, we are more mobile and able to work 24/7. Technology continues to rapidly evolve, challenging us to adapt our workflows and learn new systems. We […]