Navigating the Future of Workspaces with NORNORM's 2023 Trends and 2024 Predictions

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Navigating the Future of Workspaces with NORNORM's 2023 Trends and 2024 Predictions

In a world where change is the only constant, NORNORM has led the revolution in creating adaptable workspaces through continuous optimisation of office furniture layouts. 2023 has been another pivotal year in which we’ve seen demands for adapting workspaces skyrocket, with our expert Customer Success team at the forefront of this transformation.

With more than 400 office furniture changes successfully completed this year, Philip van Engeldorp Gastelaars and Nikolas Hartlieb share the invaluable insights from our Customer Success team in understanding and shaping the trends in workspace design and utilisation. These changes have not only enhanced workspace functionality but also significantly improved employee productivity and satisfaction.

2023 TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF WORK

As we reflect on the year, let's delve into the significant trends observed by Philip, whose experiences provide a unique window into how workspaces have adapted to meet the continuously changing needs and emerging challenges of companies across Europe.

DIVERSE REASONS FOR CHANGES

- NORNORM's adaptable model has catered to a plethora of reasons for changing office furniture this year, enabling customers to continually update workspaces to suit their ever-changing needs.


- Adaptability is key to workspace success, fitting diverse requirements ranging from company expansions to office function refreshes.

FLUCTUATING DEMAND FOR PRIVACY AND ROOM SEPARATION

- Rise in popularity of phone pods, divider screens, etc., mirroring the dynamic nature of modern work – sometimes collaborative, other times requiring privacy and focus.


- The actual use of spaces can be very different in practice compared to initial designs. Divider screens have become one of the most requested products during flex changes, particularly requested in departments like development, finance, and HR.


- Significant increase in phone booths in offices, especially in smaller spaces where they are effective in creating privacy when separate meeting rooms aren’t feasible. They are also beneficial for older buildings that cannot undergo structural changes.

YOUNG WORKFORCES AND OFFICE USAGE

- In major European cities, younger teams have shown a tendency to use office spaces more for focused work too. This trend reflects not just a generational shift but also the realities of urban living and working spaces.

- Younger employees, often living in smaller houses, find the office a more suitable space for work, and come to the office to gain experience.

- This insight has led to a rethinking of office design strategies, focusing on creating multifunctional spaces that cater to diverse needs.

2024 Predictions for Workspace Usage PREDICTIONS FOR WORKSPACE USAGE

As we look towards the future, Niko shares his team's predictions on the evolution of workspaces. These insights highlight a shift towards more adaptable, technologically-equipped, and purposefully-designed office spaces, reflecting both ongoing trends and new directions in office utilisation and ways of working.

Adapting to Economic Realities and Cost-Efficiency

- Across industries, there’s an urge to be mindful of costs, leading companies to optimise their office space to reduce risks associated with unused areas.

- Shift towards cost-efficient, sustainable growth driving the focus on flexible, modular office spaces. Companies should adapt and reconfigure their physical environments efficiently, responding swiftly to changing needs and growth dynamics.

Creative, Agile, and Technologically Advanced Workspaces

- While we are seeing workstations remain a constant in the office, there will be a rise in need for environments fostering open collaboration, innovation, and agility.

- Incorporation of advanced technology, such as audio-video equipment in meeting rooms has become essential to facilitate hybrid meetings and will continue to be a requirement for effective global collaboration.

Balanced Office Attendance and Zone Distinction

- Movement towards a balanced 3-day office presence, with spaces designed to maximise the value of in-person interactions.


- Creation of distinct zones for different activities, ensuring effective use of space for both concentrated and collaborative work.


- Phone booths as a necessity for short meetings and private communication in modern, technically advanced work environments.

Holland & Barrett - 11

2023 has been a year of learning, adaptation, and growth in workspace design. As we look towards the future, NORNORM remains committed to staying ahead of these evolving trends, ensuring our workspaces continue to meet the changing needs of our customers and their employees.

Remember, don’t office like it’s 1973. Let NORNORM guide you into the future of workspace design.

Exclusive Insights from NORNORM's Circular Breakfast at Tech Arena 2024

At this year's Tech Arena, one of Scandinavia's largest tech events, NORNORM hosted the Circular Breakfast, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and forward-thinkers to explore the role of technology in shaping the future of circular companies. We caught up with a few of our expert panellists afterwards to gain exclusive insights on the topics discussed.

Nanna Gelebo (BCG) on Bridging Linear and Circular Business Models
Nanna Gelebo has been a Partner at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Stockholm for 12 years, with a strong track record of driving transformative change in the retail sector on everything from strategy to implementation.
Key Insights
Nanna discusses the concept of 'cross-fertilisation' between linear and circular business models. She highlights the importance of transforming transactional customer relationships into relational ones through circular efforts, emphasising that rental and second-hand products can serve as gateways for consumers into more sustainable consumption patterns. This approach not only benefits the environment but also opens new avenues for business growth.
Takeaway
Linear business models do not have to stay linear. You can start to become more circular by gradually integrating a circular business model into your current linear one, through e.g. rental and second-hand products, building a circular set-up that suits your business specifically.
Marcus Linder (RISE) on Evaluating and Ensuring Circular Claims
Marcus Linder is the Director of Business Design at the Research Institute of Sweden (RISE). He holds a PhD in Technology Management and Economics from Chalmers University of Technology, specified in environmental research, with his research having been applied industrially in procurements by industry giants such as Volvo.
Key Insights
Marcus brings attention to the critical aspect of a product's end-of-life plan. He emphasises that being 'potentially circular' is insufficient without a concrete and, preferably legally binding, plan for product lifecycle management. This perspective is crucial for customers evaluating circular claims, pushing companies to not just promise sustainability but to embed it into their actual business practices.
Takeaway
To remain credible towards industry peers and customers, the best practice is to have a clear, communicable, and incentivised plan for your circular business model that customers can trust and rely on. It is important that customers should be able to evaluate and ensure your claim of circularity and end-of-life product plans.
Vojtech Vosecky on Being Authentic when Marketing your Circular Efforts
Vojtech Vosecky is one of the leading circular economy advocates, with experiences ranging from being the co-founder of the successful think-tank Institute of Circular Economy, working for the European Parliament, and the world-leading organisation Circle Economy. In 2022, he was also selected as one of the Top Green Voices to follow in Europe by LinkedIn.
Key Insights
Vojtech stresses the importance of being hyper-authentic in the communication of your circular business principles. For him, it’s about being bold in stating what you stand for, challenging misconceptions, and creating moments of realisation for your audience (think true “aha-moments”). His approach - educate, inspire, and agitate - is a formula that companies can use to effectively market their circular efforts. Vojtech highlights that no matter the format of your marketing, and to avoid the trap of greenwashing, be authentic and stand your ground, whilst always backing up with research. That always wins.
Takeaway
When marketing your circular or sustainable business efforts, especially on LinkedIn, use the three principles of educating, inspiring, and agitating - ideally in one go. Be authentic, use visuals, and create truly educating moments. Use facts whenever you can. However, be careful not to over-do them - and always, always, double check them.
“In the end, what is it about? It's about creating a relationship between the user and this object. I think we all have a strong link to things that are meaningful, that have been charged by accompanying our life.”

Some subtitle

In the end, what is it about? It's about creating a relationship between the user and this object. I think we all have a strong link to things that are meaningful, that have been charged by accompanying our life.

Navigating the Future of Workspaces with NORNORM's 2023 Trends and 2024 Predictions

In a world where change is the only constant, NORNORM has led the revolution in creating adaptable workspaces through continuous optimisation of office furniture layouts. 2023 has been another pivotal year in which we’ve seen demands for adapting workspaces skyrocket, with our expert Customer Success team at the forefront of this transformation.

With more than 400 office furniture changes successfully completed this year, Philip van Engeldorp Gastelaars and Nikolas Hartlieb share the invaluable insights from our Customer Success team in understanding and shaping the trends in workspace design and utilisation. These changes have not only enhanced workspace functionality but also significantly improved employee productivity and satisfaction.

2023 TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF WORK

As we reflect on the year, let's delve into the significant trends observed by Philip, whose experiences provide a unique window into how workspaces have adapted to meet the continuously changing needs and emerging challenges of companies across Europe.

DIVERSE REASONS FOR CHANGES

- NORNORM's adaptable model has catered to a plethora of reasons for changing office furniture this year, enabling customers to continually update workspaces to suit their ever-changing needs.


- Adaptability is key to workspace success, fitting diverse requirements ranging from company expansions to office function refreshes.

FLUCTUATING DEMAND FOR PRIVACY AND ROOM SEPARATION

- Rise in popularity of phone pods, divider screens, etc., mirroring the dynamic nature of modern work – sometimes collaborative, other times requiring privacy and focus.


- The actual use of spaces can be very different in practice compared to initial designs. Divider screens have become one of the most requested products during flex changes, particularly requested in departments like development, finance, and HR.


- Significant increase in phone booths in offices, especially in smaller spaces where they are effective in creating privacy when separate meeting rooms aren’t feasible. They are also beneficial for older buildings that cannot undergo structural changes.

YOUNG WORKFORCES AND OFFICE USAGE

- In major European cities, younger teams have shown a tendency to use office spaces more for focused work too. This trend reflects not just a generational shift but also the realities of urban living and working spaces.

- Younger employees, often living in smaller houses, find the office a more suitable space for work, and come to the office to gain experience.

- This insight has led to a rethinking of office design strategies, focusing on creating multifunctional spaces that cater to diverse needs.

2024 Predictions for Workspace Usage PREDICTIONS FOR WORKSPACE USAGE

As we look towards the future, Niko shares his team's predictions on the evolution of workspaces. These insights highlight a shift towards more adaptable, technologically-equipped, and purposefully-designed office spaces, reflecting both ongoing trends and new directions in office utilisation and ways of working.

Adapting to Economic Realities and Cost-Efficiency

- Across industries, there’s an urge to be mindful of costs, leading companies to optimise their office space to reduce risks associated with unused areas.

- Shift towards cost-efficient, sustainable growth driving the focus on flexible, modular office spaces. Companies should adapt and reconfigure their physical environments efficiently, responding swiftly to changing needs and growth dynamics.

Creative, Agile, and Technologically Advanced Workspaces

- While we are seeing workstations remain a constant in the office, there will be a rise in need for environments fostering open collaboration, innovation, and agility.

- Incorporation of advanced technology, such as audio-video equipment in meeting rooms has become essential to facilitate hybrid meetings and will continue to be a requirement for effective global collaboration.

Balanced Office Attendance and Zone Distinction

- Movement towards a balanced 3-day office presence, with spaces designed to maximise the value of in-person interactions.


- Creation of distinct zones for different activities, ensuring effective use of space for both concentrated and collaborative work.


- Phone booths as a necessity for short meetings and private communication in modern, technically advanced work environments.

Holland & Barrett - 11

2023 has been a year of learning, adaptation, and growth in workspace design. As we look towards the future, NORNORM remains committed to staying ahead of these evolving trends, ensuring our workspaces continue to meet the changing needs of our customers and their employees.

Remember, don’t office like it’s 1973. Let NORNORM guide you into the future of workspace design.

Navigating the Future of Workspaces with NORNORM's 2023 Trends and 2024 Predictions

In a world where change is the only constant, NORNORM has led the revolution in creating adaptable workspaces through continuous optimisation of office furniture layouts. 2023 has been another pivotal year in which we’ve seen demands for adapting workspaces skyrocket, with our expert Customer Success team at the forefront of this transformation.

With more than 400 office furniture changes successfully completed this year, Philip van Engeldorp Gastelaars and Nikolas Hartlieb share the invaluable insights from our Customer Success team in understanding and shaping the trends in workspace design and utilisation. These changes have not only enhanced workspace functionality but also significantly improved employee productivity and satisfaction.

2023 TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF WORK

As we reflect on the year, let's delve into the significant trends observed by Philip, whose experiences provide a unique window into how workspaces have adapted to meet the continuously changing needs and emerging challenges of companies across Europe.

DIVERSE REASONS FOR CHANGES

- NORNORM's adaptable model has catered to a plethora of reasons for changing office furniture this year, enabling customers to continually update workspaces to suit their ever-changing needs.


- Adaptability is key to workspace success, fitting diverse requirements ranging from company expansions to office function refreshes.

FLUCTUATING DEMAND FOR PRIVACY AND ROOM SEPARATION

- Rise in popularity of phone pods, divider screens, etc., mirroring the dynamic nature of modern work – sometimes collaborative, other times requiring privacy and focus.


- The actual use of spaces can be very different in practice compared to initial designs. Divider screens have become one of the most requested products during flex changes, particularly requested in departments like development, finance, and HR.


- Significant increase in phone booths in offices, especially in smaller spaces where they are effective in creating privacy when separate meeting rooms aren’t feasible. They are also beneficial for older buildings that cannot undergo structural changes.

YOUNG WORKFORCES AND OFFICE USAGE

- In major European cities, younger teams have shown a tendency to use office spaces more for focused work too. This trend reflects not just a generational shift but also the realities of urban living and working spaces.

- Younger employees, often living in smaller houses, find the office a more suitable space for work, and come to the office to gain experience.

- This insight has led to a rethinking of office design strategies, focusing on creating multifunctional spaces that cater to diverse needs.

2024 Predictions for Workspace Usage PREDICTIONS FOR WORKSPACE USAGE

As we look towards the future, Niko shares his team's predictions on the evolution of workspaces. These insights highlight a shift towards more adaptable, technologically-equipped, and purposefully-designed office spaces, reflecting both ongoing trends and new directions in office utilisation and ways of working.

Adapting to Economic Realities and Cost-Efficiency

- Across industries, there’s an urge to be mindful of costs, leading companies to optimise their office space to reduce risks associated with unused areas.

- Shift towards cost-efficient, sustainable growth driving the focus on flexible, modular office spaces. Companies should adapt and reconfigure their physical environments efficiently, responding swiftly to changing needs and growth dynamics.

Creative, Agile, and Technologically Advanced Workspaces

- While we are seeing workstations remain a constant in the office, there will be a rise in need for environments fostering open collaboration, innovation, and agility.

- Incorporation of advanced technology, such as audio-video equipment in meeting rooms has become essential to facilitate hybrid meetings and will continue to be a requirement for effective global collaboration.

Balanced Office Attendance and Zone Distinction

- Movement towards a balanced 3-day office presence, with spaces designed to maximise the value of in-person interactions.


- Creation of distinct zones for different activities, ensuring effective use of space for both concentrated and collaborative work.


- Phone booths as a necessity for short meetings and private communication in modern, technically advanced work environments.

Holland & Barrett - 11

2023 has been a year of learning, adaptation, and growth in workspace design. As we look towards the future, NORNORM remains committed to staying ahead of these evolving trends, ensuring our workspaces continue to meet the changing needs of our customers and their employees.

Remember, don’t office like it’s 1973. Let NORNORM guide you into the future of workspace design.