What Is Agile Working and How Can You Achieve It?

As discussed in our previous blog posts, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that businesses across the world had to adapt to a new way of working. Employees had to create a dedicated office space at home where they could work remotely, while businesses had to adapt their working practices to weather the storm.

With this, businesses have learned how to become more flexible in how they operate so that they can develop and grow. While agile working is not a new phenomenon, it is the first time many companies have adopted a way of working that deviates from a ‘normal’ 9-5 office-based job.

As it’s no longer a competitive edge to offer agile working and is more a way for businesses to survive, this article will look into what agility in the workplace is, its benefits and how companies can put it into practice.

What is agile working?

Agile working is a term used to describe giving employees the flexibility to work in a way that best suits each of their individual styles. It places focus on the activity or task being undertaken by team members, rather than where it is carried out in the office. For example, a business might choose to implement hot desking so that employees have the freedom to work at whichever desk they prefer when they are in the office. In turn, this can help improve engagement as they have the autonomy to work to their own schedule.

Why would a company want an agile working environment?

When considering adopting an agile working model, you may find yourself asking what the benefits are. Simply put, agile working will:

• Reinforce a customer-centric approach: Agile working promotes collaboration – open lines of communication allow employees to find out more about their customers, and allows the customers to feel part of the team.
• Make businesses more resilient: Businesses become more adaptable to different challenges and continue to motivate their team through these changes.
• Improve employee satisfaction: Employees are given the freedom to operate in a way that works best for them – this improves motivation levels which, in turn, helps with productivity.

How can companies put agile working into practice?

When it comes to agile working, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach – businesses need to first set out the reasons why they are looking to implement agile working so that the benefits for the company and staff are clear. 

Agile workspaces should support business growth. For this, there must be alignment between the people, processes, technology and goals. Listen to your employees and understand their requirements so that your office can accommodate their different needs.

Special attention should be paid to office design, as it needs to cater for different working styles and support a shift away from a fixed desk position. Incorporating a hot desking system, dedicated quiet spaces and ergonomic furniture are just some of the ways you can provide your employees with an offering that will improve efficiency and job satisfaction. 

Access to technology also plays an important role, whether that be through video conferencing in meeting rooms, projectors to aid collaboration or online desk booking systems.

Shifting towards a different way of working can cause some people to feel uneasy or worried. When implemented correctly, agile working creates a dynamic new environment for employees to enjoy, so make sure this is made clear to team members throughout the company so that they fully understand how they will benefit from this change. 

Are you looking to transform your office into a space that accommodates agile working? Ashlar can help. Taking the needs of your employees and business goals into consideration, we will design, plan and fit an office space that is tailored to you. 

Contact us today to find out more.