The word ‘hot-desking’ has been used for a while. It’s a flexible workspace system where different desks, at different times, are used by different people. Whilst it refers to both external and internal workspace arrangements, the idea of having a fluid, or non-specific desk, wherever you are, is the key idea and a concept that many business professionals feel makes them more productive.
Hot-desking is a staple of modern office life.
The benefits of hot-desking go much further than pure convenience and cost, it can be a key driver in achieving business success.
Why is that? Well, it encourages cooperation, collaboration, communication and much more. Yes, having people work away from the office can save time, money and space. But the crux of it is, that remote working and hot desking from time to time often makes employees more productive.
Hot desking is a tried and tested workspace arrangement that specifically supports flexible working – allowing employees to work whenever they need to, wherever they are!
A hot desking facility is a fully IT supported and serviced environment, with all the technology at your fingertips so you can access data, send emails, author reports, discuss finances, conduct internet searches, find out about competitors and a whole lot more.
Hot desking and remote working go hand-in-hand
These days we’re all on the move and need access to reliable technology to do our jobs effectively. Thanks to modern technology, mobile working and working from home are now much easier.
It’s only in the last decade though that wireless technology has hit the market, allowing computers to travel around with us, without the need to power up with a limited length cable. Today, technology allows you to stream a conference call from London to Chicago, while at the same time discussing monthly sales figures on a spreadsheet with your colleagues in the office – at any time of the day or night!
As more businesses encourage their staff to work from home, supporting their wellbeing and creating a healthier work/home balance, hot desking has come into its own again and is a great fit for remote workers.
Ernst and Young (EY) have seen employed productivity soar because of hot desking and remote working
EY is a big advocate of hot desking and they have seen tangible benefits since encouraging staff to work remotely, often making use of hot desking facilities. This has reduced their office space by 25% whilst increasing staff by 50%. This policy has saved them millions year-on-year whilst improving employee satisfaction, business efficiency and staff productivity.
It’s clear then that hot desking supports flexible and remote working, leading to higher productivity and performance rates, but what are the other key benefits for those of us that work from home on a regular basis?
1. Provides the opportunity for social/business interaction
It can get lonely working from home.
Whilst it isn’t the same for everyone, moving into a hot-desking environment, say, a couple of times a week, provides the opportunity to meet others in a similar position.
This can lead to a general sharing of ideas with like-minded individuals, exchanging opinions, and even opportunities for new work and cooperation.
It’s also an opportunity to grow your professional network.
2. Opportunities for improved collaboration
If you’re working on a group project with your remote business team, it’s sometimes good to meet up in person to share ideas and opinions, face-to-face.
Some hot desking businesses also provide an opportunity to hire meeting room facilities so you can rent a dedicated space to get together, other than doing this through Zoom, Teams etc. Sometimes a neural space is a productive one.
3. Gain support and knowledge
Serviced hot desking environments often bring business people together from a range of different industries, so there is plenty of opportunity to build knowledge and gain support across a range of different areas.
Businesses must reimagine their ‘work experiences’ if they are to succeed
Accenture Research recently surveyed CEOs around the world. They are a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. 2022 Future of Work: Work in Progress | Accenture
This identified that there was a great need for change in the way employees are allowed to work if businesses are to retain staff and maintain productivity levels.
Businesses need to be looking for ways of transforming the experience of work to enable “productivity anywhere” and at scale. If they can achieve that through remote working, and hybrid working, supported by services like hot desking that enable people to work from wherever they are, whenever they need to, then they are moving towards ultimate flexibility for all, leading to a happy, healthy and productive workforce.
We are desksbytheday.com – a fresh-thinking venue provider for all your hot desking and meeting room hire requirements.
Our spaces are purpose-equipped for modern business meetings and competitively priced.
Want to book a hot desk? To find out more about Desks by the Day or to book a meeting room, office or hot desk click here or contact us.