Page 18 - BOSS Today Issue 46

BOSS Today #46 SPECIAL FEATURE

the coffee or vending machine to responded to this trend by launching n Laptops and PCs should be
encourage workers to move further). dairy-free products, such as the dairy secured against theft by the
n Varied spaces: workers should be given alternative instant lattes now available provision of security locks.
inducements for active behaviour, under Nestlé’s NESCAFÉ® GOLD brand.
so good workplace design should Furthermore, given that Starbucks' Finally, the combination of varied
offer varied spaces, such as private primary target market is men and space workplaces and the ongoing
phone booths or al-fresco terraces. women aged 25 to 40, it is reported proliferation of wireless office technology
that, while 60% of coffee consumed at has driven demand for furniture and
Warne agrees that providing a work is still instant product, younger electrical products that can encompass
variety of spaces for these workers workers are bringing their coffee habits both, as Warne explains: “We see the
is important: “We find that younger in from the high street and demanding key to wireless working as ensuring a
office workers are looking to be in an premium coffees from their employers. comfortable space with access to power
environment that is flexible, along with and connectivity. We have a range of
having a more fluid way of working. Other Trends power solutions which fit with desking
We find that younger managers What other broad trends are driving and soft seating to allow people to easily
require stimulating environments changes in the UK workplace at present? connect. We also have several ranges
where they can discuss projects The ongoing trend towards open plan of flexible and mobile tables that can
and then retire to a quieter space to offices has heightened the need for allow workers to rearrange their space
work in a more focussed manner. We companies to review the design of their quickly: this way they can set up to work
support this through our extensive office environment in the light of the with others or alone in a shared space.”
soft seating and desking options.” advent of GDPR legislation in May 2018. In short, it seems that, driven by
Again, this is fortunately not markedly Since Personal Identifiable Data (PID) – ongoing demographic, technological,
different to the varied workspaces that such as names, address, email, phone, environmental and legal changes,
we identified earlier for older workers. etc – can exist both on paper and on the UK workplace will continue to
screen, there are a number of options evolve, resulting in a widening variety
What’s Hot In The Office? that companies need to consider to of spaces employers should offer in
Perhaps one departure point between ensure that their offices are protecting order to attract and retain staff.
the needs of the different age groups the security of all of these formats:
is the provision of hot beverages at Martin Wilde – the author of this article -
work. PG Tips and Lipton brands' owner n Lockable filing cabinets and boxes is Managing Director of OP market research
Unilever are reportedly struggling should be provided to store PID and specialists Martin Wilde Associates Ltd
to grow their black tea brands in need to be locked where necessary. (www.martinwildeassociates.com).
western markets like the UK, because n Doors of any private offices containing
Generation Z and Millennial consumers personal data also need to be lockable
much prefer high end herbal teas and and be locked where necessary.
coffees instead. Indeed, according n The risk of unauthorised staff
to research firm Kantar, purchases overlooking computer screens showing
of black tea have fallen by 2.7% over PID can be addressed by: installing
the last two years, while demand privacy screen filters; situating and
has risen for other types of tea, with angling screens away from high-
herbal teas now worth £52m and cold traffic areas and encouraging staff
infusions being valued at £11.2m. to implement a clean desk policy
One reason for the fall in black tea and to shut down and password-
demand is that many younger people protect their devices when not in use.
are trying to reduce their intake of dairy Stacey reports that “Data security
products, amid concerns about the has meant that there has been a
industry's impact on the environment. greater opportunity for screen filter
While it is claimed that alternatives to placements throughout organisations,
cow’s milk – such as soy or almond milk not just within customer contact
– can make black tea thicker or more areas. Everyone should now have a
watery, some coffee producers have screen filter, as far as I am concerned.”

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