As more workers return to the office, meeting pods are emerging as a top trend to take the pain out of being back at work
Read the full article below or read on page 22 in our December magazine
The evolution of office design is fascinating to consider. We’ve gone from the entirely open plan facilities of the early 20th century, to the landscaped offices of the ‘60s, and then to the, often ridiculed, ‘cubicle farms’ of the ‘80s. Today, modern offices retain some elements of all these ideas, with companies aiming to provide a sense of open plan – but in a more attractive, less uniform, manner.
Today’s workers are more mobile, with WiFi, laptops and mobile ‘phones edging out the need for a dedicated desk littered with cables. Workers have broken out of the cubicle, and today have options to sit with a group or alone, in different positions around the office. Co-working and hot-desking are the buzzwords of the day, with contemporary offices striving to create a home-from-home, and to offer dynamic work settings which can facilitate different types of work.
However, not every office is suited to having a bar over here, and beanbags over there, and not every workplace wants people lounging around chatting loudly while others are trying to concentrate. As employers look to entice people back to the office, they’re starting to think ‘outside the box’ – and ‘inside the pod’.
The post-pandemic pod trend
The demand for private spaces within otherwise open plan offices has seen a surge in 2022, and it’s easy to see why. With many people accustomed to working alone, in peace and quiet in their homes during lockdowns, returning to a chatter-filled office environment can be distracting at best, and stressful at worst.
Mollie Townsend, head of sales at The Meeting Pod Co, says that her company has seen a significant increase in demand for pods, post-pandemic. She notes that, as employers seek to encourage workers back to the office environment, providing them with secluded working spaces for meetings, collaboration or relaxation has become an important asset – and she points out that providing such spaces can increase productivity. “Through the various projects we have delivered we’ve seen that providing dedicated spaces for users to meet and collaborate away from their desk increases productivity, without distracting others around.”
Studies agree, with research by Meavo, suggesting that more than half of workers wish they had more privacy in the office. Of those who struggled to find a quiet place, the average time spent looking for a suitable location was 19 minutes a week – in fact, 26% of those working in open plan offices admitted to having taken a call in the toilet because they couldn’t find another suitable spot.
Simon Howorth, marketing and design manager at DAMS, noted how office pods can provide that quiet, productive space for workers, helping them be more productive when in the office. “Over the last year we’ve seen increased demand for a completely private space in the modern office – the acoustic hub.
“These are inspirational, multi-functional, spaces which provide anything from a designated shelter for employees to escape from the busy work environment, to a space for one-to-one chats, or a meeting place for working groups.”
The future of pods
While the pandemic saw more of us conducting meetings remotely, the second half of 2022 is witnessing a significant return to the office environment for many companies. As we gradually move back to more in-person meetings, does this negate the need for pods in the workplace? Molly thinks not. “With the ever-growing trend of Zoom calls not looking like it will be disappearing anytime soon, employees who are now back in the office full-time need a private space in order to conduct their meetings – and traditional, built-in, meeting rooms are becoming less and less suitable.”
Simon adds that there is an ongoing demand for private, quiet spaces in the workplace, something he’s seen increased interest in over the past year. His view is that the office pod market as a trend is set to continue to grow. “Post-pandemic, businesses need personal spaces that offer enough privacy and sufficient openness to not feel claustrophobic or unhygienic.”
Pods don’t always have to be in the office either. Molly notes that The Meeting Pod Co has seen the highest levels of interest in its outdoor pods. Other businesses have found success with pods that are modelled on soundproofed telephone booths, and some are even installing ‘nap pods,’ to help employees recharge in the middle of a busy day!
What dealers need to know
Molly believes that dealers who are keen to get into marketing pods to customers need to recognise the benefits they can bring. “We feel dealers need to understand the importance of providing flexible spaces that are easy to re-locate, internally and externally, that offer a sense of privacy.”
Having a quick checklist of the many benefits pods can bring can help when targeting sales of these products. For example:
Noise reduction: soundproof pods can be a welcome retreat from a busy office, and can also help create a space where private conversations can take place in peace.
Support for diversity: conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyscalculia and dyslexia can make being in a big, open space stressful. Providing quiet corners for employees with different needs can improve the work experience for such staff.
Free-up meeting rooms: a scarce commodity in any workplace, providing pods for quick catch-ups or small group meetings can free-up meeting rooms for larger groups.
Improve focus and productivity: giving people a place to really get their teeth into a task can help them achieve their goals more quickly.
Cost-effective and easy to install: pods aren’t expensive investments – they are certainly a lot cheaper than an interior remodel – and can usually be installed in a matter of hours, not days.
With the office pod trend not going away anytime soon, will your dealership get onboard with this modern movement?
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