Attracting new talent is one of the great challenges of our time. It’s becoming harder than ever to recruit and retain associates that do great work. The office of the past could look and feel the same for years and you didn’t have to worry about losing your staff. Today, I’m finding that in order for companies to be successful at drawing in and keeping top talent, they must distance themselves from traditional corporate America and focus on providing the best design and resources possible.

It may seem counterintuitive to ask designers to work with an IT department from the very first sketch of your space. However, spaces only work well if they work for the people within them. We truly need to understand the world around us and how people use it to create something great. IT may not always be perceived as a creative partner, it’s true. But the fact is they are especially creative and impactful when it comes to designing a successful space and understanding how people work in their environment. You might even be surprised at all you can accomplish together.

More and more, the line is blurring between residential and commercial design. One noticeable change I’m seeing on both sides today is the reuse of materials in unique and interesting ways. Things we’re used to seeing in residential design, like industrial elements or repurposed materials in the home, are now making their way into commercial office environments.

Last month I attended a Creative Mornings Columbus event featuring street artist, Stephanie Rond. At first I was unsure what I could learn about street art that I could apply to my own profession. And I think that was largely the point of this event, and of this forward-thinking organization in general. We all have talents and knowledge to share with one another, to get our creative juices flowing, and we should be doing this much more frequently.

Providing a variety of spaces allows associates to choose where they’ll work best, which makes for a happy and productive team. But, it can be difficult to know where to start and where your associates will do great work.

It’s so much more than just a space. You probably hear us say this a lot and it’s true! As a business, you need to consider more than just your furniture, floors, or branding to remain competitive and attractive to associates and clients alike. It’s 2017 and the workplace is no longer someplace you go to do strictly work; it’s a place you go to have an experience.

Did you know that you should really consider your holistic workspace lifecycle, from cradle to grave, to maximize your workplace investment? Many people don’t realize that buying furniture or installing floors is just the first step. Whether you've recently purchased new products or you're looking to refresh and/or reconfigure existing assets, you have a variety of options that can work with even the smallest budget.

Have you ever thought about your furniture as artwork? What about extra details like plants, dishware, or even coat racks? Your office is a work of art and those visiting have an experience that uses all five senses. Your office should tell your story and emanate your culture, as well as be inviting to those who step inside. Legendary furniture designers, Ray and Charles Eames, pioneered entertaining as art and understood the value of carefully selecting each object in a room, from the table to the trashcan. You can apply the Eames way of thinking to your own space and allow every visitor to leave your space with a unique and positive experience.

It’s an exciting time when business is booming. But many businesses struggle with keeping up their workspace during such growth. As new employees come on board, you have to consider the cost of purchasing extra furniture and the added wear and tear on flooring and equipment around the office. The changes you make don’t have to be expensive and they should integrate seamlessly into your existing space. You want to optimize your office environment rather than clutter it, and you want to do so affordably.

If you want to reconfigure your existing workplace, don't be deceived - it can be a daunting task.