Posts in category: News

Today’s companies are constantly working on attracting and retaining talent. They offer signing bonuses, promotions, flexible work schedules, on-site fitness centers, and more. While these are all things that employees want, they may not be what keeps employees at a company long term. So, what is the secret to creating loyal employees? Culture. 

What is Company Culture? 

In essence, a company’s culture is its personality so to speak. Culture encompasses a shared set of beliefs, values, and behaviors that shape the organization’s business. For example, at Create Spaces we value Trust, Respect, the Pursuit of Excellence, and strive to Make A Difference for clients and coworkers. Values like this shape how you do business, structure your benefits and even design your workplace.  (For more on culture, read: Space & Culture with Steelcase’s Dr. Tracy Brower)

Here are some key elements that contribute to a company’s culture: 

• Values: These are the core principles that guide the company’s actions and decision-making.    
• Beliefs: These are the shared assumptions and understandings held by employees like honesty and hard work. 
• Behaviors: These are the ways employees typically act and interact with each other. This could look like friendly competition where employees push each other to be their best. 
• Norms: These are the unwritten rules that govern behavior within the organization. This could look like showing up on time or prioritizing kindness.  
• Symbols: These are the objects, images, or rituals that represent the company’s culture. At Create Spaces we love the outdoors so you will see imagery of the local wildernesses around our offices. Using symbols is a great way to lean into what makes you unique. 

While these are all factors that embody a company’s culture, we are going to focus on the values and behaviors. 

How Behaviors Reflect What You Company Values 

Some companies may value making money above all else. Employees are simply cogs in a machine running to pump cash into investor’s pockets. These kinds of workplaces typically have a high turnover because employees don’t feel valued or supported. 

Other companies value creating an excellent product, but not at the expense of their employees. Rather, their focus is on succeeding as a whole organization, investors, and employees alike. In this company, leadership wants to help employees improve their lives professionally and personally. 

While a company must make money to stay in business, the behaviors they encourage in the workplace will reflect what they value most. 

How Cultivate A Positive Company Culture Leads To Retaining Talent

We touched on it earlier, but when an employee does not feel valued or supported, they are far less likely to stay with a company. That means that while pay may entice someone to remain with a job, the people, and ultimately the culture will determine if they stay long term.  

A lot of this comes down to hiring decisions. Hiring that follows a company’s values will often lead to creating teams that are cohesive and enjoy working together. That may mean having similar interests, drives, and even behaviors. Being selective in the attitude of the person you hire can have huge benefits on your culture. Culture is embodied in its people, so hire people who contribute to your ideal culture. 

Often employees will stay at a company because they have built relationships that they don’t want to leave behind. Loyalty to a company arises when leadership makes employees feel valued, understood, and supported. This can look like: 

• Prioritizing regular, weekly check-ins between employees and their managers.  
• An open-door policy where employees can physically see leaders working alongside them and feel comfortable having casual conversations.  
• Leaders can take an eager interest in what employees are interested in outside of work and support those interests. 
• Hosting customer appreciation events and inviting employee’s families to join. 
• Communicating kindly but honestly when discussing hard topics. 
• Offering flexibility for employees who need it or generally working with employees to help them work at their best. 
• Offering opportunities for employees to improve their skills and earn promotions. 
• Compensating employees well so they don’t look elsewhere. 

The more companies can bring the human element into the workplace with a listening ear and empathy, the better they will be at retaining talent. Organizations are constantly working to build trust with their clients, but it has to start with employees. Create a culture where employees are valued, and watch earnings go up because when everyone is working in the same direction, you can’t help but succeed. 

For similar content, read Work-Life Balance: A Myth or Reality? 

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: 

For years, American workers have heard the term “work-life balance”. The concept paints the ideal of each worker’s ability to find a state of equilibrium where they equally prioritize the demands of their career and personal life. Like anything in life, finding balance is hard, especially regarding work.  

Everyone knows a workaholic, someone who spends more time working than their personal life can support. These people, typically comprised of Generation X and Boomers, find fulfillment from work but often sacrifice personal relationships to achieve their success. The concept of “work-life balance” or even “mental health” does not mean the same to them the way it does to Millennials and Gen Zers who work from home, in coffee shops, or on vacation. In their defense, the world was different when they entered the workforce. There were different expectations and fewer conveniences like hybrid technology. Additionally, social norms around work were different and there were fewer work styles to model. Given different circumstances, older generations may have subscribed to today’s hybrid work environment and thrived there.   

The problem in today’s workforce, however, is one of mental health, which is inextricably linked to the concept of work-life balance. So, if the success of a company lies on its employee’s mental health at work and by extension, their work-life balance, it is important to ask, is work-life balance achievable?  

Is Work-Life Balance Achievable?  

While the term “perfect work-life balance” is most likely unattainable, many people find ways to effectively manage their time and energy to create a healthy balance. An important thing to note is that balance does not necessarily mean equal division of time between work and personal life. Rather, balance is unique to the daily rhythm that fits each person.   

Balance, however, does not come easily. Jobs inherently require experiencing long hours, heavy workloads, and high-stress situations at some point in time. It is not financially responsible for people to quit their jobs whenever they experience something stressful. It certainly does not make them into more mature, well-functioning adults to do so. Therefore, how do you find balance when work is out of balance?  

Above all, you have to safeguard your mental health, meaning, you have to develop mental fortitude.  

Ways to Improve Work-Life Balance Through Taking Action 

1. Recognize that things change. While you may be in a tough season of work or life, it will not be like that forever.   

2. Be Assertive. If you dislike something about your work situation, schedule a meeting with your supervisor to discuss the problem. Provide solutions for how you could improve the situation and ask for help.  

3. Understand that sometimes succeeding in work means slacking in other areas of your life. Plan ahead when you know life is going to be busy and put in the time at home or with friends when you can and communicate clearly when you can’t.  

4. Set timelines and boundaries. You can do anything for two weeks. Beyond that, make a plan for how to remedy your situation.  

5. Change your mindset and get creative. Sometimes situations take longer to change than you might prefer. You can choose to be bitter about it, or you can focus on things you can do and get creative with ways to still have fun.  

6. Remember, there is always another way. Every problem has a solution; it just may look different than you anticipated. Your solutions could look like developing a hybrid work plan with your employer, changing your hours to accommodate raising a family or changing your job description. It could even look like changing jobs if that is best. Never be afraid to advocate for yourself or look at the situation from a different angle.  

Work-life balance is a personal journey. It is not achievable unless you are not willing to do the work to create the balance you desire. But once you put the work in to create your best work-life situation, you and your mental health will be better for it.  

For more like this, read our blog: 5 Ways AV Supports Employee Wellbeing  

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: 

Say goodbye to the traditional, oversized conference room! Discover how to a dynamic conference room that works for every meeting and every personality. 
 
Is your large conference room just not cutting it anymore? We get it. A massive table with chairs might not be the right fit for every meeting. Whether it’s a two-person discussion or a client interview, a big, empty room can feel cold and intimidating. 
 
But imagine a space that’s flexible, accommodating both large groups and smaller, more intimate gatherings. Here’s how you can transform your conference room into something more dynamic in nature. 

Designated Spaces 

Create different areas within the same room to cater to various needs. Some participants like to stand during meetings while others do their best thinking in a laid-back lounge chair. Providing different postures creates a more dynamic space. 

Different Elevations 

Incorporate plush chairs with side tables, soft couches with coffee tables, high-top tables with bar stools, and landing tables at the back. The goal is to design for different postures while also giving everyone an easy line of sight to the room’s technology.  

Versatile Setup 

This arrangement ensures everyone’s comfort, from the person who needs to pace to those who prefer a cozy corner. Using furniture that is easily moved to accommodate for different group activities is a must. 

Hybrid Technology 

Finally, no space is complete without technology that is made for the hybrid environment. Camera bars have greatly improved to include features like stitching. Stitching is where the camera zooms in on each participant, no matter where they are in the room, and creates an equal sized box for them on the screen of the remote participant. This way, someone sitting at the back of the room, looks the same to the remote participant as someone sitting in the front. This encourages conversation and keeps everyone involved. 

Making sure your screen or screens are large enough for the space is also important. With participants all over the room, you need to make sure they can easily see and share content. This could mean installing screens at the front and sides of the room depending on how large of a space you have. 
 
Creating a dynamic conference room means that you can have a big meeting and still accommodate everyone’s needs and personality types. By combining a good variety of furniture and using hybrid technology your space will be a sought-after amenity that will help your team be successful for years to come. 

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: 

In today’s installment of our thought starter series, we will examine outdoor spaces that attract talent. Making the right hiring decisions and finding enticing top talent to stay at an organization is vital to its future success. We will review a series of renderings to help you brainstorm outdoor spaces of your own. Then we will explore real life spaces and determine what works best for you and your company’s culture and location.

Outdoor Spaces That Make A Positive Impact

A renewed focus on physical and mental well-being has led to an increased emphasis on outdoor workspaces and biophilic design in office environments. Access to nature, such as gardens, terraces, and outdoor offices, is essential for employee creativity and mental health. Organizations are incorporating outdoor amenities and natural elements to enhance productivity and creativity.

Renderings

A study of 2,000 office workers found that spending just 29 minutes outdoors resulted in a 45% boost in productivity. Meanwhile, 63% of participants reported feeling much better after spending time in
the fresh air.

These outdoor lounges offer a range of seating options, from lounge to standing height, giving users choice and control in an outdoor setting. Umbrellas provide shade and screen glare reduction for better visibility on personal devices.

An outdoor oasis that supports users looking for a change of scenery and connection with nature. It provides a place for respite, socialization and connection with peers. Work tools like carts with markerboards can be used outside temporarily to support casual collaboration. Mobile work tools allow users to bring collaboration outside and back in when they’re finished.

A relaxed outdoor social seating that is ideal for building connections with colleagues and catching up on emails in a more laid-back setting. The overall environment provides adequate physical distancing and circulation. Varied postures give users choice of how they prefer to connect with others. Casual lounge settings can create a feeling of inclusion and trust amongst colleagues. A canopy created with an umbrella can define space and provide a larger shaded zone.

Real Spaces

Connection to nature can boost creativity and focus for employees while simultaneously increasing their well-being and engagement with their work. To help employees, the industry trends is to allocate 20% of office space to be usable outdoors.

Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces can transform the workday experience, fostering collaboration and connection with nature.

When the weather allows, the hosting characteristics of your outdoor space can serve as an excellent tool to entertain you clients or appreciate employees.

Hosting is ultimately about making employees feel connected to the organization, their work and each other.

Outdoor working is in high demand as companies seek to coax employees back to the office.

Effective outdoor workspaces must be designed to mitigate glare and weather, include shaded areas, and cater to various climates.

Outdoor spaces like terraces, balconies, and loggias are becoming essential workplace amenities, offering areas for work, relaxation, and events.

Ensure your outdoor spaces are equipped with weatherproof furniture and equipment. Additionally, plan for noise control to minimize disturbances from traffic or nearby businesses.

The future of work involves integrating nature and sustainable design to create healthy, productive environments.

Maximize your office real estate by creating outdoor spaces that take advantage of what makes your location unique.

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: 

In the latest installment of our thought starter series we will go through the impact your reception space can have on your organization. From colors and textures to sizes and configurations, we will help you learn all about receptions that make a good first impression on guests.

What Makes A Good Reception?

Your organization’s reception space is the first place to make a good impression with visitors and tell a story with your brand. Colors, textures, and postures can make a big different in making guests feel welcome and relaxed. By integrating technology in these spaces, organization can provide additional messaging to their waiting guests.

A welcoming and comfortable reception area can positively impact employee morale and job satisfaction.

Renderings

Today’s reception areas need to feel more like a clubhouse or coffee shop than a traditional waiting area. Create a welcoming, stylish first impression that aligns with modern expectations and enhances employee experience.

This welcoming, comfortable, and flexible environment supports a variety of users, postures, and activities.

Biophilic design principles, incorporating natural elements, are also enhancing these spaces, improving employee health and productivity.

Modular furniture makes it easy to reconfigure a space so that the layout can remain flexible.

Real Spaces

This waiting room setting provides a palette of postures through a variety of flexible furniture arrangements that support diverse user activities.

Adding color, artwork, and different textures as pictured in these reception spaces are great examples of how to create interesting and soothing environments that give insight into the company’s culture.

A well-organized reception area can streamline administrative tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.

Soothing colors, cleanable finishes and views to the outdoors help provide a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere.

Seating solutions like the one pictured allows companies to create unique and inviting receptions that make a good first impression. This space is one that many individuals can share simultaneously.

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: 

Our next installment of thought starters will cover training and classrooms for active learning. We will showcase spaces that support flexibility, collaboration, focus work, and more.

What Are Active Learning Environments?

Training and classrooms for active learning provide students and employees options and tools to actively engage in the learning process. New design principles for these spaces include: Me + We: Spaces that equally support large groups, small groups and individuals Fixed to Fluid: Multimodal spaces support multiple purposes and pedagogies Open + Enclosed: More shielded “me” and activate more open “we” spaces Braiding Digital + Physical: Increase video use in “me” and “we” spaces.

Renderings

Ideal for higher education or large-group training, this traditional setup centers on a speaker at the front of the room, providing an optimal learning environment with clear focus and engagement.

This environment is a good example of the Me + We design principle in use. The seats in front of computers are “me” spaces for individual use or support a group lesson. Additionally, a collaboration space supports group work.

These two grade school classrooms create an interactive learning environment with their bright colors,
collaborative spaces, and seating arrangements. Teachers can easily transition their students from one
activity to the next thanks to furniture that supports multiple learning postures.

Fixed to Fluid is on display in this space. While the layout pictured supports a typical lecture format, the whiteboards and casters on these tables allow for fully functioning group work activities.

Real Spaces

Multiple studies have shown that students in active learning environments consistently outperform those in traditional lecture-based classrooms. Active learning has been linked to lower failure rates, particularly in STEM subjects.

Movable boundaries provide shielding in open classrooms giving students and educators more control over privacy.

In this hyflex classroom, students can choose to join the class remotely or in-person. Thoughtfully integrated technology improves both the in-person and virtual experience.

Active learning is still possible even when teams are separated by distance. This flexible blended learning space includes mobile furniture, markerboards, acoustic boundaries, carts and a digital display on wheels to get people up, moving and engaged. This is an excellent example of braiding the digital and the physical.

Group activities inherent in active learning enhance collaboration and communication abilities.

This node chair with an attached worksurface is the perfect “me” space. With the ability to move and work anywhere it can function well in an open or enclosed space.

Highly-mobile and versatile furniture in these classrooms supports fluid transitions between different learning modes for all the ways students learn.

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: 

Today our series continues with Work Cafés. We will peruse work cafe renderings of and see how they support different activities. Then we will explore real culture boosting work cafés that serve as break rooms, game areas, and more.

What is a Work Cafe?

A Work Café is a dynamic space that connects people with colleagues, their work, and their organization. It transforms traditional corporate cafeteria real estate into destinations for connection, collaboration, focus and innovation. For companies seeking to create a destination for hybrid workers, work cafés are an excellent amenity to attract employees to the office and foster community.

Renderings

This work café can pull double duty functioning providing a coffee shop vibe for hybrid workers or serving as a collaboration space for large groups.

Transform your cafeteria into a welcoming environment designed to foster conversation, brainstorming, hosting, and socializing.

Real Spaces

Culture boosting work cafés should be welcoming and vibrant. Leverage design attributes that set a welcoming atmosphere and vibrant ambiance, reflecting the desired brand and culture.

A work café functioning as a meeting commons offers a system of spaces that promotes collaboration, both planned and spontaneous.

Biophilia can have a significant positive impact on employees in a workplace setting as well. Incorporating elements of nature into the design of a workplace can lead to reduced stress, improved cognitive function, increased creativity, better mood and well-being, improved physical health, increased employee satisfaction, and reduced absenteeism.

Integrating technology in your work café allows any worker, as an individual or as a group, to work and meet at any place. Access to power, presentation devices, and Wi-Fi is key for success.

A welcoming work café is an excellent resource for hybrid workers. It can support a community of mobile workers who learn and share knowledge with each other.

Spaces like these are important because employees who feel connected to their organization and valued are significantly more likely to stay with an organization.

A work café can function as a specialty zone supporting workers with dining amenities and various food options.

Creating a social zone in your organization using nourishment as an attraction increases opportunities for chance encounters and cross-pollination.

The hosting characteristics of your work café can serve as an excellent tool to retain talent.

Hosting is ultimately about making employees feel connected to the organization, their work and each other.

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: 

This week we are focusing on how to create collaboration spaces that fit what teams need to achieve success. We walk thought renderings of different layouts and discuss what kind of groups they support. Then we will wrap up with real life examples of spaces that support hybrid collaboration among teams.

Supporting Hybrid Teams

Create better collaboration spaces for hybrid teams. Explore a range of spaces and technology experiences designed to support in-office and remote teams of all sizes – whether you need to collaborate one-to-one or many-to-many.

Renderings

A space designed for teams to use throughout their project fosters hybrid collaboration. Tall seating accommodates various postures, while movable furniture lets teams quickly adapt the space for hybrid meetings or in-person sessions.

Maximize natural light in your collaboration spaces while reducing screen glare. Use commercial window coverings to minimize glare and create a bright, comfortable environment for productivity.

This space supports multiple postures. From stools in the stadium seating to table height on the bench it is easy to switch up positions and take different postures.

This space makes collaborative meetings more approachable by removing the traditional conference table and replacing it with moveable tables. This room is perfect for informal discussions.

With movable chairs and tables, this space can fit a large group of people or be moved to accommodate smaller groups.

Real Spaces

This hybrid space reimagines the traditional conference room by shifting the configuration to landscape. The Ocular table faces the long wall, optimizing the Microsoft Teams Front Row experience for seamless eye-to-eye interaction between in-person and remote participants. The Tap Touch Controller enables easy meeting access, while the Rally Bar Mini below the ultra -wide display enhances visual engagement.

Spaces like these are important because employees who feel heard and valued are significantly more likely to stay with an organization.

This hybrid meeting space is designed for seamless hybrid collaboration among teams and connection with remote colleagues. Soft surfaces and acoustic tiles reduce sound distractions, while a cool-toned backdrop creates an appealing on-camera environment. The off-camera entry ensures minimal interruptions, making it ideal for focused, professional interactions.

The Everwall system of modular privacy walls offers a flexible and aesthetically pleasing way to design adaptable spaces. This reconfigurable solution allows for easy adjustments over time and eliminates the need for permits, making it a convenient choice for dynamic environments.

Effortlessly shift from focus work to a video call in private, tech-enabled enclaves that makes it easy to connect with remote colleagues.

This open collaboration space, featuring a Microsoft Surface Hub, ensures engaging brainstorming
sessions for both in-person and remote participants. The Roam cart adds flexibility, allowing remote
teammates to be positioned where the action is—whether viewing markerboards or presenters.

This conference room is uniquely designed to accommodate a variety of postures. Whether perching on a stool, standing, or sitting on a plush couch, this environment encourages open conversations.

Besides being more attractive, spaces with biophilia reduce stress by 15%, increase productivity by 6%, and help employees be 15% more creative.

These informal hybrid collaboration settings encourage open dialogue and comfortable, private conversations with both virtual and in-person participants.

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: 

Today we are continuing our series showcasing ways to create office and outdoor setting to help your organization function at its best. Today we are focusing on high-functioning workstations. We will show renderings and real spaces showcasing a variety of fixed to fluid solutions.

Workstations That Fit The Modern Workforce

Teams need a home base – a space where they can do focus work and have spontaneous moments of collaboration or relationship building. Access to personal storage, a height adjustable desk and an ergonomic chair are a must for today’s teams.

Renderings

While the footprint of this space may be small, it is packed with under desk storage and file storage. With the whiteboarding panels behind the chairs, this workstation is perfect for the tech or finance industry for employees to do quick calculations. Clear glass at the top of the panels provide a sense of privacy while allowing natural light into the space.

Modern workplaces demand flexibility and innovation. Our solutions go beyond traditional cubicles, offering advanced privacy, control, and comfort tailored for hybrid environments. Enjoy quick adaptations for video calls and focused work with our adaptable, privacy-enhancing systems.

Real Spaces

High-functioning workstations can promote collaboration which helps employees feel connected to their work and are significantly more likely to stay with an organization.

Providing necessary amenities like storage can boost employee morale while keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Steelcase Flex Personal Spaces give people a heightened level of privacy, control and comfort in the hybrid workplace.

With so many new ways to bring in interesting materials, textures and colors, your workplace can express its personality like never before.

As workplaces evolve to meet modern needs, benching systems offer a flexible solution for hybrid employees who don’t require fixed workstations. Ideal for dynamic work environments, benching systems support collaboration and adaptability.

Sit-stand options encourage healthy movement and celebrate individual preferences as they change throughout the day.

Employees who feel connected to their organization and valued are significantly more likely to stay with an organization.

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: 

We are excited to publish a new series of articles that will help you discover office and outdoor spaces that are perfect for your organization. Every organization is different with unique needs, so you need spaces that support your processes and culture.

Today, we are going to go through a series of high-performing private offices.

Why Private Offices Are Still Important

The movement toward more open, collaborative spaces is undeniable. Yet the need for private offices persists, especially in professions – such as legal, financial and human resources – that must promote high degrees of confidentiality and confidence. But amid economic, cultural and generational shifts, what people need from private offices is changing.

Where in the past, people may have established a routine of reporting to the office, sitting down and working all day, work is different now. It’s more dynamic, it has more dimensions – and it is significantly enabled by technology. For example, videoconferencing allows for remote work, and collaboration software allows for ongoing, agile work among distributed project teams. Additionally, organizations also face a new external reality: the rising cost of real estate, especially in dense urban areas. In response, they must do more with less.

Renderings

When designed well, you can create high-performing private offices at any size. These spaces can be assets to employee efficiency and productivity.

An existing large private office is repurposed with an intentional mix of micro zones to serve an individual or a small group. When the primary occupant is away, rather than sit empty, this space swings into service for busy coworkers.

Where present, high-performing private offices are smaller in size than their predecessors and standardized for simplicity and adaptability.

As real estate prices escalate, private offices must make more of every square foot — including horizontal and vertical planes — in order to deliver the productive focus and collaboration needed.

This compact but hardworking office makes room for receiving and processing large volumes of digital and analog information, as well as collaborating with other members of the organization.

Real Spaces

Responding to the needs and wants of top talent, private offices must help people achieve physical and emotional comfort, express identity and stimulate the cognitive process.

Loss of productivity due to noise distraction doubles in open plan offices compared to private offices.

As the workforce grows more mobile and dynamic, private offices must flex so individuals can adjust their environment in the moment, and organizations can repurpose offices for future needs.

To cultivate privacy, orient desks so users can see the door and be aware of entrants to the space. Select materials and wall/door treatments that optimize visual and acoustical shielding. Offer storage that can conceal confidential materials.

Create dual purpose spaces that serve as private offices or meeting rooms.

Help employees do their best work in a 10′ x 12′ or 10′ x 10′ footprint. Ample work surfaces and deep open shelving help maintain flow as employees switch from task to task. Digital and analog tools and guest seating support collaboration and quick, frequent conversations.

Create private offices within an open plan using glass walls. They offer acoustical privacy while maintaining visual connectivity with the surrounding space. This modular solution is easily movable and adaptable to changing needs.

Amid stress and overload, private offices can help restore cognitive, emotional and physical wellbeing in order to enhance performance and satisfaction at work.

Receive our Newsletter  

To receive our newsletter, including new editions of spaces and other digital content, fill out the form: