Chapter 6

• 21st-century office


  • Design
  • People
  • Projects
  • Technology
• Open-plan layout


  Encourages collaboration by removing barriers between desks, forming desk pods. It facilitates communication but can lead to distractions and privacy concerns.
• Cubicle layout


  Provides some privacy and reduces distractions, but may limit collaboration.
• Modular layout


  Offers flexibility by allowing furniture rearrangement to suit different needs, saving time and money, and accommodating changing team compositions.
• Green spaces


  Incorporating plants enhances well-being, adds oxygen, and improves the overall office environment.
• Seated and standing workstations

  Ensure that desks and chairs support proper posture to prevent strain. Standing desks can offer health benefits.
• Heavy equipment


  For factories, ensure equipment placement minimizes strain and injury.
• Computer screens


  Position screens at eye level to avoid neck strain and ensure adequate lighting to reduce eye strain.
• Human resources


  • Develops policies, recruits' staff, facilitates communication, delegates roles, motivates, supervises, evaluates, and negotiates. Effective HR management ensures the right people are in the right roles and are well-supported.
• Project management


  Involves using software to manage tasks and timelines. In physical offices, this includes managing the workspace to suit project needs, while in virtual offices, it focuses on ensuring digital tools support project coordination.
• Digital communication


  Includes emails, instant messaging, and project management software to maintain communication and collaboration.
• Responsive websites and social media integration

  Ensures the business can effectively engage with clients and stakeholders online.
• Document storage and administration

  Utilizes cloud storage for easy access and management of documents.
• Virtual workspace


  • Sharing information
  • Digital citizenship
  • Digital tools
• P's of online interaction

  • Password
  • Privacy
  • Personal information
  • Photographs
  • Property
  • Protection
  • Professionalism
  • Personal brand
• Physical office administration


  • Document management
  • Workspace administration
  • Project-driven administration
• Virtual office administration


  • Networking
  • Digital communication
• HR department functions


  • Staff policies
  • Recruitment
  • Communication
  • Delegation
  • Motivation
  • Supervision
  • Evaluation
  • Negotiations
• Insourcing permanent employees


  • Benefits
  • Risks
• Outsourcing part-time or temporary staff

  • Benefits
  • Risks
• Internships


  • Benefits to interns
  • Benefits to businesses