Part 4 in a series of 5
In this five-part series, Firehead takes a look at the impacts that AI transformation is having on technical communication teams – what the trends are, and how they effect technical communicators’ jobs
Here’s a goofy idea that might just work: Paint Your Office with Art!
Businesses have been investing in art for decades to seduce, impress, and add an air of sophistication and savoir-faire to the office environment. Some claim that inspirational art leads to corporate epiphanies and new modes of thinking when gracing the walls of receptions and meeting rooms.
According to the British Council of Offices, the impact of art in the workplace ‘can evoke joy, delight and curiosity. It can inspire empathy. Art can engage employees and provide opportunities to contemplate, renew and be inspired throughout the workday.’ And non-binary art collections inspire inclusivity.
A Gallup survey stressed why this has become important: 38% of UK employees reported that they experience stress daily at work. So, employers are attempting to revolutionise workplace practices in response, and one of them appears to be allowing staff to have a say in fashioning their immediate office environment. Read the Gallup report on the state of the workplace here
Research by Exeter University further supports the argument that art brings humanity into the workplace, with 69% of responders agreeing that visually appealing art contributes to a sense of well being; increased well being leads to increased staff productivity and, ultimately, higher profitability.
You can read the Exeter University report here
‘Employees who have control over the layout of their workspace are not only happier and healthier — they’re also up to 32% more productive.’
For hybrid workers who visit the company premises, office interactions via meetings are crucial for successful collaborations. And artistic backdrop fosters meaningful discussions in the limited workplace time. And who knows? An attractive office environment might encourage hybrid workers to visit more often.
A logical extension suggests that businesses should factor that in when remote workers dial into a boardroom or office conference, a visually stimulating backdrop will be motivational and inspire greater engagement. This may be particularly relevant to tech teams who are immersed in programming code and technical languages, exposing them to ‘functionality’ rather than ‘beauty’. So, art is more than PR and brand values; it’s a proven means of keeping technical communicators on board!
The takewaway: While rapid technological change is proving a challenge, thankfully, technology is also making learning and accessing upskilling courses more accessible. It’s democratising a process that was previously confined to high-level executives and spotlighted staff, at the expense of support teams, contractors and freelancers.
Today, training is digital, so everyone can access top-quality trainers and courses on demand from anywhere.
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