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Guest Blogger: Keith Cron
I was recently asked, “If we invest in a new office design and furniture, will it create the culture I’m seeking?”
My answer was simply, no.
Not many people would describe their company culture starting with the comfort of their office chair or the brightness of the lunchroom finishes. Yes, defining a company’s beliefs and personality begins by describing how employees treat and respect each other, as well as how the leader/owners guide and engage with their employees. We know at a gut level if the “feeling” in the office is positive or negative, full of energy or lack of energy, team oriented or individual focused. Typically, these are the words that we use to define the company culture.
As an owner of OstermanCron and leader of a small Cincinnati office furniture dealership, I have become acutely aware of company cultures; not only within our small company but in my clients businesses as well. As we assist our clients in creating the best layout, design, and furniture solutions for their new offices, we ask the culture questions. How do your people interact? How do they create and/or solve problems? Are they part of one team or a number of teams? Do people eat together in the office, socialize together outside the office? Describe the overall mix of ages? How do employees learn their skills?
The goal in this line of questioning is to gain an understanding of how people work within the organization or parts of the organization. A well-designed office with appropriate furniture may not create the culture, but it will certainly help the culture come alive. Office morale increases significantly after a company makes an office move. This morale boost will have staying power if the new office design meets the functional and social goals of the company. An office that encourages teamwork and collaboration while also providing settings within the office where employees can comfortably engage with one another enhances and strengthens the company culture. Having the ability to gather the full team in a central place in a newly designed culture center allows the leader to communicate his/her goals and vision more effectively. Again, this is another tool allowing the leader to sharpen the company culture.
The leader that understands the opportunity that a well-designed space can and will have on the company ethos also understands the recruiting tool the space provides as well. Over time, the ability to recruit and hire the people that fit and enhance the culture will do just that- enhance and strengthen the culture. So, answering the question can a well–designed space create a company culture? may still be no, but don’t underestimate the impact.
