Businesses need to show smart-thinking beyond the knee-jerk reaction of making cuts to survive the recession and instead look to strategically focus on their property to plan for the future, according to a leading workplace design specialist.

Space Solutions said companies in the commercial sector need to understand the importance of a good working environment to ensure they continue to get the best of their employees – regardless of the economic conditions.

And those who react the quickest are benefitting by enjoying major cost savings - which can run into substantial sums - a more motivated workforce and are best placed to gain when the economic upturn happens.

Director Derek Binnie said the change of philosophy from companies from the early days of the recession has been significant.

He said: "When the initial wave of the recession hit, the first reaction from many businesses was: 'what can we can and where can we cut?


"From this quick-fix, companies cut fat and looked to navigate their way through the recession. But as they have got fitter, they have started to dig deeper to look to see where else they can consolidate and rationalise to reduce overheads."

Mr Binnie said many companies are choosing not to move, they are also renegotiating lease renewals, delaying any planned relocation.

"It's meant MDs are asking more difficult questions of their FMs and FDs about where and how costs can be saved. But at the same time, these companies know that the economy will start to turn, so they need to play a balancing act of both planning for the future and ensuring they keep existing staff motivated in a positive workplace."

But Derek highlighted how many companies still need convincing – particularly in spelling out the cost-savings benefits – before making workplace changes.

He said: "Perhaps the most significant development in the business world is the realisation that to change the workplace you can’t just solely concentrate on physical surroundings – companies should also consider the workplace culture.

"By looking at workplace performance at the same time as workplace design, we look to understand where the business is going and where it wants to go, its challenges and the physical environments That allows us to provide a practical solution that can demonstrate actual savings and benefits."

The MD believes there is no one-size fits all solution, he feels it's about gathering the information and the data to support the advice they provide for workplace change.