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Open Plan or Not???


Deciding on a new office can be a difficult task, with so many questions to be asked; is it big enough to comfortably staff all the staff? Does it meet with health and safety standards? Is there enough room for office Olympics? Jokes aside, one of the most important decisions is deciding on the plan of your office.

It seems that the traditional cubicle plan is dead and buried, and making way for the more sociable ‘open-plan’ office. But what makes it so great? and is it right for your business?

The Pro’s

Versatile

This style of office is extremely flexible and can be chopped and changed at any given time. Cubicles are rigid, take up a lot of room and can be difficult to manoeuvre, making it difficult for new employees to find a suitable seating area.

Sociable

Having an open-plan office means staff can liaise with each other, which makes for a more sociable and relaxed environment, and can boost productivity. It also gives employees the chance to ‘bounce ideas’ of each other, whereas the cubicle method can quell this productivity, as staff are left to work on their own in a small area.

Man (or woman) management

The open-plan style allows management to get take a hands-on approach with staff, which gives them the opportunity to see exactly what’s going on in the office. Employees can sometimes hide away in their ‘pod’s meaning that their overall productivity may be fading. However, if they are working alongside employees, they are less likely to be work-shy. This plan also gives managers the chance to break down the barriers between management and normal staff. Manager’s offices can be intimidating, so if everyone is working alongside each other, it can boost camaraderie and general all togetherness.

The Con’s

Distract ion

While all this productivity and camaraderie is floating around in your new open-plan office, it means that noise levels have probably increased, meaning that staff can become easily distracted or their concentration is hampered by overzealous co-workers. The open-plan may not work for your business, as there are a lot of people out there that need peace and quiet to work to the best of their abilities. Think about it, you wouldn’t want company productivity to nosedive just because of a few over excited employees.

Privacy

Open-plan offices ensures that all employees can move freely around the office, which leads to computer screens, private documents and telephone calls available to the naked eye (or ear). There are certain things within a business that should remain discreet and away from some members of staff, which can be difficult to manage in an open layout.

Health

When winter arrives, it usually means a boom in colds and sniffles. Open-plan offices allow for these pesky bugs to make their way around the office, infecting employees one by one as they go. Staff illness can be a major concern, particularly for a company with a small workload.

If you are looking to relocate take a look at the suites we have available at present here at Ransom Wood. We offer a great deal of flexibility and can configure offices to suit your needs now and in the future.

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Google Reviews


  • Dave Watts

    17/08/2021

    Love this place

  • Maxine Dillon

    15/07/2021

    We rent an office here and it’s just such a lovely place to drive into everyday

  • Chris Kho

    22/06/2021

    Still love to walk around. I used to live in the big house at the top of the drive, it was Oak House then and I nursed at Ransom Hospital , Byron Ward which was on the left side of Ransom Hall car park. Oak House used to be Sisters accommodation. I think the main chef lived upstairs when I lived there and just me downstairs mostly. I loved it but had to keep my kitchen door closed because of the squirrels. Loved looking down the drive out of my bedroom and lounge windows, beautiful in Autumn and when it snowed, I worked at Ransom Hospital until it closed in 1987. Wonder why Oak House was later named Ash House? Lovely dining at Forever Green in the grounds whilst I reminisce.

  • Tony Lewis

    20/05/2021

    Absolutely spot on as regards setting up a virtual office. Really friendly and helpful reception staff, with onsite meeting rooms available if needed. Very pleased.

  • Matthew Sheppard

    07/03/2021

    Beautiful

  • John Redfern

    20/07/2020

    Good food

  • David Draper

    25/02/2020

    Great place for taking pets a walk, lovely cafe with meeting rooms.

  • Pete Edwards

    08/02/2020

    A great place

  • Daryl Statham-waring

    20/11/2019

    Brilliant place, they have all sorts of businesses there. A cafe, hypnotherapy, hypnopuncture as well many others. Worth a drive up just to see what's there. Furthermore, it's in lovely surroundings.

  • Jo Harris

    13/10/2019

    Just go there and walk for miles! Beautiful views from strawberry hill too.

  • Philip Merry

    04/08/2018

    Go experience

  • victoria chandler

    28/06/2018

    Great place,hidden away

  • T Butler

    24/05/2018

    Set in beautiful woodland.. a very relaxing place to work.

  • Bec Ward

    12/03/2018

    Very tranquil here, feel at real ease could get lost in my own thoughts

  • S Curran

    17/01/2018

    Lots of meeting rooms. Follow signes not sat nav to find entrence as its moved. Plenty of parking.

  • Andy long

    03/12/2017

    Nice business offices and restaurant

  • Robert West

    05/02/2017

    Love it. Great setting, and reasonable rents.

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