What the small business office will look like in 2024
Stepping into 2024, the small business office environment will continue to reflect the changing landscape of work culture and technology.
Stepping into 2024, the office environment will continue to reflect the changing landscape of work culture and technology. For small businesses, the office of 2024 is not only made up of just a physical space but also a cloud-based system. Small business owners wear many hats and require an office that seamlessly melds the physical and digital realms to support a workforce that is agile, mobile, and dynamic.
Whether they are operating solo, with the backing of staff members, or a team of contractors, the office needs of small businesses are diverse and individual to each operation. To stay ahead of the game in 2024, small business owners should develop protocols to accommodate evolving technology and make sure that they have the right systems in place to keep everything running smoothly and securely.
With that in mind, here are several key predictions for the small business office environment in 2024.
Hybrid work reaches new heights of sophistication
In 2024 hybrid work arrangements are well entrenched as standard practice, driven by employee preference and technological advancement. The ability to “work from anywhere” is in such high demand that employees are resisting calls to return to the office and are willing to forego as much as 20% of their paycheck for the privilege of working from home.
Advanced virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for meetings and collaboration have become more commonplace, making remote work more interactive than ever. Employers have renewed their focus on creating a seamless integration between home offices and traditional office spaces by providing employees with additional tech upgrades, technical support, as well as clear structures and systems for hybrid work.
The proliferation of hybrid work arrangements has also influenced the types of offices that are being rented. Post-COVID, a glut in office spaces and lower demand has caused more businesses to choose offices based in premium locations with superior amenities which can be obtained for very reasonable rent. Days in the office are increasingly for collaborating and mingling with colleagues, and office fit-outs are being changed to meet these needs. From lounge room layouts to gyms, cafes, and shops, lively offices in bustling areas are a drawcard for employees in hybrid work arrangements. Small businesses will have the opportunity to rent spaces right alongside their larger counterparts to enjoy all the benefits of a high-end location.
Sustainability and wellness at the forefront
In 2024 the focus on sustainability and employee wellness will intensify as more gen Z workers make their debut into the workforce. Gen Z workers tend to look for supportive and inclusive work environments, and they’re willing to job-hop until they find a workplace that suits them. Adobe’s Future of Time study found that 70% of gen Z employees would switch jobs for access to better tools that help them work more productively.
Small businesses must make wellbeing a greater priority by adopting policies that address the areas of mental health support, inclusiveness and physical health. Flexible work is always a welcome component of the modern office, and small businesses are no more exempt from these expectations than larger operations.
Design-wise the small business office should aim to reflect sustainability trends by incorporating biophilic elements to foster a more natural, relaxing environment. The growing emergence of ‘green’ office spaces is very much on trend with the desires of young workers and the aesthetics of a workplace play a key role in office satisfaction.
Workplaces that promote sustainability through renewable energy, waste reduction, and green building standards gain kudos for doing their part. No matter what their capacity to accommodate is, small businesses which endeavour to include extras like sustainability and employee wellbeing programs will stand head and shoulders above the competition in terms of attracting the best and brightest young talent.
Collaborative and flexible office design
While the office remains an important hub for collaboration, the essence of its design has evolved. Offices in 2024 will be more flexible and modular and equipped to adapt to various activities and team sizes. There’s a shift towards creating spaces that can be quickly reconfigured for different purposes such as for working on collaborative projects or creating space for quiet, focused work. The use of smart and adaptable furniture and technology is key to enabling this flexibility.
Small businesses should look to incorporate ergonomic furniture, standing desks, areas for meetings, and spaces that allow employees to mingle. By taking advantage of multi-tasking furniture and spaces and incorporating clever designs, small businesses can create a functional and chic workspace that stands the test of time.
Cybersecurity considerations in hybrid work
The entrenchment of remote work has made cybersecurity more of a consideration for businesses of all sizes. Despite being hamstrung by limited resources, small businesses must take into consideration the price of a security breach compared to the cost of installing a good security system. Savvy businesses are taking steps to invest in security protocols and infrastructure to protect data, maintain privacy, and safeguard productivity including cloud storage, robust encryption methods, and cybersecurity hygiene training for employees, and more.
Standard practice for hybrid working businesses also includes intermittent security assessments to identify existing vulnerabilities. Businesses should make sure there is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy as well as a remote work cybersecurity policy that covers aspects like secure network connections, the use of personal devices, and data privacy guidelines.
In addition, employers also need to ensure key business applications remain accessible on all devices including mobile devices while keeping cybersecurity considerations front of mind. Keeping mobile software updated, choosing secure passwords, regularly backing up devices and data and only downloading apps from trusted suppliers is a good basic starting point.
Resilience planning in facilities management for small business
The existing level of uncertainty in the current work environment has led facilities managers to incorporate some form of resilience planning so that facilities are better positioned to withstand and quickly recover from disruptions such as natural disasters, health crises or other types of emergencies. For small businesses, this entails starting with an overall strategy for mitigating potentially disruptive events, with owners working to develop specific tactics to maintain the functionality of the workplace.
Lessons can be applied from the pandemic to enable offices to operate at maximum capacity no matter what — this often involves making sure alternative workspaces like the home office are available to employees and equipping workers with the right tools and software to collaborate remotely. A good understanding of the teams and roles within the business as well as the business’ critical functions are essential to crafting an effective resilience plan.
Chris Porter is the general manager of Officemaps.
