During the last two years, COVID-19 has changed the way we work, forcing us to be more flexible and adaptable. After the pandemic, there will be new trends and developments that will influence the type of workplace we inhabit, not to mention the opportunities these trends and developments will present.
As a result of COVID-19, a wide range of pre-existing trends in the commercial property industry have been accelerated, including those surrounding health and wellbeing, activity-based working, and flexibility. COVID-19 has also led to better space utilization and a very different commercial property market in Australia going forward.
Many factors will lead businesses from all industries to re-evaluate the type of commercial property that will be required in the post-COVID era, from downsizing to coffee machines for small offices.
How Digital Transformation Acceleration Impacts Office Size
COVID-19 lockdowns are considered by many to be proof that remote working can be successful, which is accelerating the trend of digital transformation.
In 2019, before the pandemic, data showed that only eight percent of workers had a formal work-from-home arrangement. This made up just two percent of all hours worked by Australians during this period. This all changed when the pandemic hit, with around 40 percent of workers sent home to continue their duties.
It has been necessary for staff to quickly upskill on a variety of digital platforms. This will likely influence the way they work and how they work in the future. Not only did workers become adept at working from home, but they also developed a taste for it. Around 75 percent of people believe that employers will continue to support a work from the home model after the pandemic.
Physical working environments will inevitably change as a result of this factor. Technological advancements allowing us to keep track of and manage resources, as well as lower capital and operating costs, will enable more remote working and reduce the need for large commercial and office spaces.
Changing The Way You Think About Office Technology
By cutting the office headcount and moving to smaller premises, it is obvious that cost savings can be achieved. The rent (or purchase price) is cheaper, heating and cooling costs will drop down and you will use far less electricity. But there are technology savings to be had, too, including:
- There is less need to install, monitor, and maintain physical security devices like cameras and card readers
- There is less need to maintain as many printers and fax machines
- Paper-based communication can be replaced by electronic communication
- Since you will be supporting fewer employees, you will not need as much wireless coverage and internet speed
It’s important to answer these and the other many IT infrastructure questions that come with moving from a larger office building into a smaller one at the planning stage, not afterward.
You Will Need To Consider Remote Worker Expenses
In many cases, remote workers are going to need to be armed with a full suite of technology so that they can complete their duties at home. This can include monitors, computers, mobile devices, software, and many other technical requirements. Depending on the size of your remote workforce, these expenses can quickly stack up.
You will also need to invest in strong cybersecurity measures including a way for IT to monitor remote workers’ activity. Using personal devices invites cybercrime. Since the COVID-19 crisis began, a quarter of all employees have experienced increasing fraud, spam, and phishing attempts in corporate email.
With the economy becoming increasingly digital, the number of cyber threats is outpacing the ability of companies to manage them. It is vital that your business has robust cybersecurity measures in place for remote workers before signing off on agreements. Some businesses may find that the cost of implementing technology for remote workers means that downsizing isn’t an economically viable option.