3 Deadly Office Design Signs that Many Startups Make

Let’s face it: when it comes to launching a startup and carefully monitoring burn rate to ensure that cash flow keeps flowing vs. dries up, it’s fair to say that office design considerations aren’t high up on the priority list. In fact, they may not even crack to the top 20.

This is understandable. But frankly, it’s also a mistake — because it leads to office design-related decisions (or more typically, lack of decisions) that slow down growth and impede productivity. Fortunately, by the time you’ve finished reading this article you’ll either know what to avoid, or know what to fix. Either way, you’ll head towards profitability and away from loss, which is as important for startups as it is for enterprises. Actually, given that the majority of startups fail to reach their fifth birthday, it’s even more important!

Mistake #1: Not Utilizing Space for Maximum Value

Office design is a costly business investment, which means that it can and should be optimized for maximum value. This involves understanding how, where and why both items and people should be deployed — and just as importantly, where they shouldn’t. And while we’re on the subject: don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your space is too small to warrant a full-blown design strategy. On the contrary, the smaller the space, the more important it is to get this right since each square foot is at a premium.

Mistake #2: Not Linking Office Design to Furniture Requirements

Office design decisions have a direct impact on the type and amount of office furniture you’ll need — which may not seem like a big deal until you realize that office furnishings are far more expensive than home furnishings. Indeed, a single workspace can cost $500 or more, and a cubicle typically costs thousands. If you carefully explore your office design options ahead of time, you can make decisions that enable you to spend less — but without compromising employee safety, productivity, performance or comfort.

Mistake #3: Forgetting that Image is an Asset — or a Liability

Even if you don’t engage clients in your office (i.e. you connect with them through the web, over the phone, or on-site at their location, etc.), the fact remains that your office — and its design values and elements — are part of your brand. Simply put, your space will either enhance or damage your image; especially when it comes to recruiting and retaining the talent you need to grow and thrive.

The Bottom Line 

Don’t let office design be an afterthought. Push it up the agenda and make it a priority, so that it helps you evolve and steer your dynamic startup, into a renowned established enterprise!