Regardless of industry, new trends have drastically changed how companies—from 10-person tech startups to 500-person corporate machines—think about workplace values, culture and environment. And as team offsites, coworking spaces, and hot desking become more and more popular, defining what an “office” is becomes increasingly difficult. So what do we really need from office real estate? There’s no right answer.

By identifying just one possible solution as the fix for all of today’s office needs, we assume that all workers and industries flourish in the same working environment and share the same requirements. There doesn’t need to be a standard norm for office design. What’s needed is flexible office design and solutions that can ebb and flow with our changing needs—as individual organizations and as a collective workforce. As companies grow, and technology evolves, agility and adaptability become top requirements for COOs, heads of real estate, and facility managers. They need spaces for different types of meetings, access to workstations in various locations, and room to accommodate a fluid or expanding team—and the sooner they can gain access to these spaces, the better.

Tools of the trade: how technology is changing our office environments

Technology will always impact the ways we work. Just think of the evolution from bulky desktop computers to streamlined laptops. And now, disruptive tech (AI and the Internet of Things, for example) is changing how we think, communicate, ideate and make decisions—whether we’re in the office or not.

Virtual offices and remote workplaces—even the ability to work from home—are made possible by technology. As devices and tools become more mobile and effective, managers can measure employee performance by output and responsiveness, not by their physical presence. Task management apps like Asana and Trello, provide up-to-the-minute progress reports; time tracking apps like Toggl measure output and productivity; and instant messaging apps—where would we be without Google Meet or Slack?—provide an easy way for employees to check in with each other.

As the workforce continues to prioritize independence and flexibility, work spaces need to adapt. Luckily, technology has also improved how we solve these logistical problems (like where to put employees when they do want to work at the office).

What’s mine is yours: the sharing economy meets the office

With the rise of the sharing economy, coworking has become the go-to solution for companies looking to modernize the office simply because it addresses the current need for flexibility. But coworking is just one of many choices—and it only combats some of the challenges companies face.

In the same way that technology can streamline work tasks, companies like us are making office space acquisition way more efficient, giving brokers and real estate managers an always-on digital alternative.

Why Breather is the real estate solution you’ve been looking for:

• Skip the paperwork: We won’t make you read the fine print—or even sign a lease. Breather lets you control the terms of your rental.
• Let yourself in: Your days of coordinating access dates/times are over. Breather workspaces and offices are accessed by codes, not keys so you can get in without the fuss.
• Stay a little longer: Flexible short- and long- term booking options mean you can rent a space for as much (or as little) time as you need, no questions asked.
• Make yourself at home: Breather spaces are equipped with the essentials your company needs to do business as usual: wifi, whiteboards, breakout rooms, tvs—you name it, we’ve got it.
• Meet and greet: With remote teams becoming more prevalent, Breathers provide a space for employees to host face-to-face meetings on an as-needed basis.

You better keep up

There’s no stopping technology from shaping the way we work—it’s already happening. Many companies feel that the increasing access to instant messaging, conference calls, and video chats will eventually lead to more telecommuting and remote offices. It’s imperative that both real estate manager and employers recognize these trends and take the proper actions to adapt and grow. Forward-thinkers that get ahead of the  curve will benefit in the long run as technology continues to provide employers and employees with more flexibility in the workplace.