Our workforce, work spaces, and the ways we conduct business on a global scale are changing dramatically. The traditional office filled with workers secluded in cubicles from 9 to 5 is rapidly being transformed into highly innovative and functional workplace of the future. TheBackStore.com explores the office and work environment of the future, from the people who occupy it to the tools and tech that support it, and how it will foster creativity, innovation and collaboration for an empowered workforce that makes a difference. Design_The_Back_Store_edited

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The Back Store explores the office and work environment of the future, from the people who occupy it to the tools and tech that support it, and how it will foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration for an empowered workforce that makes a difference.

DATA:

The People
  • 86 million millennials will be in the workplace by 2020, representing a full 40% of the total working population.
  • The following are the top-ranked priorities in job searches among millennials:
  1. Having a boss to serve more as a coach or a mentor
  2. A collaborative work culture rather than a competitive one
  3. Flexible work schedules
  4. Technology that supports mobility
  5. A place to be inspired and make a difference
The Company Culture
  • Ergonomic work spaces, including supportive chairs like those found at The Back Store, are growing in importance as millennials prioritize health and wellness and are entering the workforce with preexisting back pain from heavy use of electronics.
  • A recent IBM study found that 80% of organizations want workers to collaborate more.
  • By 2015, more than 3/4 of U.S. companies expect to use open, collaborative workspaces with fewer offices.
  • Hybrid environments, such as those at Google headquarters, provide a mix of enclosed and open workspaces that are available for users to occupy on an as-needed basis.
  • Switching from traditional assigned workspaces to open sharing spaces has been shown to increase utilization rates as much as 40%.
The Technology According to Office of the Future: 2020, several technologies were identified to alter the workplace and the way work is conducted in the coming years, including: Sensory-Recognition Software:
  • Computers in the future will increasingly be able to respond to voice, handwriting, fingerprint, and optical input.
Smart Devices:
  • Computers will use algorithms to learn the meaning of words and phrases, enabling users to conduct more effective information searches.
Interactive Office Spaces:
  • By 2020, offices will be embedded with sensors that monitor and maintain the environment, including temperature, humidity, and lighting.
Virtual Conferencing Technology:
  • Offices may be equipped with wall-sized screens that project 360-degree views of videoconference participants.

The Office Space:

  1. Quiet Zone
    1. No-talking areas for optimized focus
  2. Tables at Angles
    1. For increased collaboration
  3. Team Tables
    1. A bring-your-own-device table
  4. Floor-To-Ceiling Windows
    1. For an open feel and natural lighting
  5. Ad Hoc Meeting Room
    1. Glass walls for utilization on an as-needed basis
  6. Eateries
    1. On-site cafes and eateries for casual dining
  7. Shared Workstations
    1. Changing locations can inspire new thinking
  8. Work Stations
    1. Utilization of space with smaller desks and body-contoured furniture, such as Steelcase ergonomic office chairs offered by The Back Store