The gig economy is fast gaining ground. It is not only changing as a response to change the economic conditions but there are various other reasons too. The changing work nature is posing new challenges for various corporations, especially when it comes to planning and managing corporate real estate. Currently, corporate real estate can work towards providing a worker with a desk and help maintain space. They must also create a conducive environment that helps them to meet up company goals. So, what are the challenges faced by corporate real estate and how do they cater to the said challenges?
It is extremely challenging to build and retain the desired corporate culture when 30 to 50 percent of your workforce does not fall under the employee purview. You can address this concern when you start to demonstrate a commitment for all kinds of workers, whether they are gig workers or otherwise.
It is important to find out employees or gig workers who move on, but they can return to work in new roles. Consultants may come back as long-term employees or as contractors. When all the workers are supported, they may be more committed to the company goals and even work as ambassadors. CRE can go on to support this mindset and provide a conducive environment for workers to feel that they are part of the team.
Corporate employees are increasingly ditching the age-old norms and choosing to be mobile, often by choice. People are choosing to work from home, from coffee shops, and even while on the road, as per their responsibilities, schedule, and lifestyle. Contingent workers often do not have any choice in the matter as they do not have a desk where they work.
CRE can provide gig economy workers with suitable technology that helps them stay connected and provide efficiency in work. Also, gig workers are working towards moving to a more shared and agile work culture. It also makes it possible for contingent workers to spend quality time at the office. Agile workspaces can also provide accommodation that will offer a wider range of daily fluctuations at work without having to spend more time at space.
One of the big advantages of the gig economy for corporations is to scale the workforce in response to the changing business goals. For example, companies can assemble a new team to cater to the business need by hiring contingent workers based on specific projects. It also helps using gig workers with a particular skillset between various business teams who do short-term work, a way to retain workers who have the desirable knowledge and experience of working in the company.
CRE groups can respond to the constantly changing structure of business teams in the gig economy. It means that you have to constantly rearrange office spaces in a short period of time. It also means implementing technology to keep things faster and more efficient. You can implement mobile and adjustable furniture that can cater to the changing needs of the company.
Collaboration is the main driving force in the modern workplace. There’s no denying that teamwork generates more and better ideas, and is conducive to more innovation that helps amp up competition levels in the global economy. While collaboration in the gig economy is certainly more desirable, it can also be challenging as teams are constantly in flux, and they don’t know much about each other.
To improve the impromptu collaboration within and between teams, CRE groups need more appropriate collaborative spaces. It’s also important to provide perks and features to encourage people to come to the office, gyms, and coffee lounges. CRE must provide a particular office design and technology that can help people to get more work done. Some of the important tools include quiet phone booths, whiteboards, and cozy team huddle areas.
There’s no denying the fact that the gig economy adds more complexity to the tasks of handling corporate real estate. You need specialized skills and strategies that can help deliver dependable and flexible business intelligence to ensure that the gig economy continues to flourish in every sector possible, including corporate real estate.
