A Move Towards Collaboration Spaces

Historically, most collaboration occurred through formal, scheduled meetings having many participants. As a result, organizations have had years of experience building conference rooms and other formal meeting spaces. These spaces were designed to facilitate large group work processes, efficient exchanges of information, and decision making.

However, two elements of collaboration have fundamentally changed, both from the perspective of employees, and their organizations. First, employees increasingly desire social connection and engagement as part of their collaborative experience. Second, organizations need process efficiencies such as speed of group decision making as well as the most innovative ideas coming forward from their employees.  Research tells us that innovation is nurtured through informal, social, creative interactions.

In response, the workplace is increasingly shifting from a “me” to a “we” work environment in which a wide assortment of technology-rich group spaces are offered.