A huddle room with one person standing at a display and five sitting at a table with laptops, tablets, and controllers.

Why Your Business Needs Collaboration Spaces

/in , , , , , /by

A huddle room with one person standing at a display and five sitting at a table with laptops, tablets, and controllers.

Creating Spaces Designed to Inspire

Several companies contribute their success to teamwork and leveraging cross-functional collaboration. This type of collaboration involves staff with different areas of interest and expertise coming together to solve a problem or achieve a common goal. As Steve Jobs said, “Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.”

Apple is one example of a company using collaboration to become an industry leader. When developing their first iPhone, a team of engineers worked together on “Project Purple.” For over two years, the diverse, cross-functional team collaborated, overcoming obstacles and challenges. Ultimately, they created what is now the most popular smartphone brand. As of October 2024, iPhones account for over 56% of the U.S. market share.

What if that group had worked in isolation, without the cross-collaboration from different departments? Would the result have been the ultimate missed opportunity? 

The world is full of tales of collaborative efforts that led to extreme success. Today, however, the challenge is greater than ever. According to a Gallup poll, over 50% of U.S. employees with remote-capable jobs work in a hybrid manner, while 27% work exclusively remote. How do you create a collaborative workforce when half of your employees are at home? 

That’s where collaboration spaces come into play. With today’s technology, these spaces can create an “in-person” experience, enabling your team members to engage in much the same way they do at the office. Here, we’ll explore the benefits and features of these spaces designed for success.

SEE ALSO: Building Spaces for Modern Collaboration

What Are Collaboration Spaces?

Essentially, a collaboration space encourages teamwork. These spaces are used for in-person employees as well as remote attendees. They can be found in open office formats, informal lounge areas, huddle spaces, and dedicated conference rooms. 

Unlike a strictly video conferencing space, they provide a dynamic area to work together and a sense of inclusion for all present, whether at work or away. Gone are the rows of chairs facing a large screen and the silence as the presenter performs a monologue. In its place are the tools needed to engage. 

What Are Collaboration Tools?

Collaboration tools boost productivity and engagement. They ensure everyone has the same opportunity to contribute, regardless of location. Some of the equipment used to create these spaces include: 

  • Interactive Whiteboards: Whiteboards and interactive displays provide the space for all attendees to collaborate and contribute ideas, images, documents, and notes. They enable effortless brainstorming, effective problem-solving, and project management by allowing users to create and map out processes in real time.
  • Smart Microphones and Speakers: This audio equipment focuses on the speaker and eliminates background noise, facilitating productive brainstorming sessions without disruption. 
  • Smart Cameras: Automatic speaker framing and group framing create a realistic visual, similar to how remote participants view an in-person meeting. 
  • Wireless Connectivity: Wireless conferencing technology promotes inclusion and ease of operation. Everyone can share content and use their own devices without having to “plug-in.”
  • Software Platforms Like Microsoft Teams or Zoom: Video meeting platforms enable screen sharing and effortless connectivity. These systems also contain file storage, allowing users to share and store a file to be recalled later.
  • Control Systems: These systems launch meetings with one touch on a user-friendly platform and optimize the environment by managing shades and lighting.
  • Displays: Crystal-clear 4K UHD displays or stunning video walls are designed for the size of each space and its needs.  

How Are Collaboration Spaces Designed?

Spaces designed for long stretches of intense conversations and visuals require comfort. Ergonomically designed chairs are arranged so everyone can see each other and the display. 

The result is an inviting space that encourages team building, cultivates a sense of achievement and belonging, and, ultimately, increases retention. Informal yet dynamic, they promote out-of-the-box thinking, allowing an individual’s skill sets to flourish in the company of others.

For businesses looking to support teamwork, spark innovation, and bridge the gap between physical and remote groups, collaboration spaces offer the solution. More than meeting rooms, they are equipped with the latest technology and designed to foster inclusion, relationships, and groundbreaking achievements.

At M3 Technology Group, we’re excited to share the latest technology news, supporting businesses and organizations as they reach their full potential. Contact us today.