Conversation Coronavirus - Jack Smith

While working at Kreab, I realized the importance of social interaction between the higher ups and newbies in the company. Kreab’s offices are set up in an open manor. In the Brussels office, there is an open floorplan with desks of 4 set up together with about 6 feet in between each set of 4 desks. There are no closed offices, only closable conference rooms and a few small quiet areas for phone calls. Even the partners and senior advisors work on the floor with the rest of the trainees and associates. At first, I thought it was weird that those higher up in the company did not have private offices. Having a private office is something to strive for. Trainees and associates will work harder to become a partner one day if there is the included incentive of a private office, right? Well, the CEO of Kreab worldwide, Charlotte Erkhammar, thinks not.

Near the end of my time at Kreab, the CEO of Kreab Worldwide, Charlotte Erkhammar, stopped by Kreab Brussels to give a report on how the coronavirus was affecting Kreab across the globe and to recognize a few members of Kreab for their time and outstanding efforts. After she was done speaking, I walked up to her to let her know how amazing the work environment is at Kreab. She thanked me and informed me that the open floorplan had a lot to do with that. She claimed that the open floorplan increased and ameliorated social interaction in many ways. One, employees are less afraid to walk up and speak to the higher ups in the company whether for critiques on the current project or just advice in general. I found this to be true myself as I frequently walked up to my superior and asked her for advice. The open office plan also allows others in the office to know whether another person is too busy to be bothered whereas when someone is in a closed office it is difficult to know. Charlotte also added that the open floorplan allows the associates to see how hard the higher ups works. It is impossible to believe that you work much harder than your boss if you see your boss working hard right next to you. Finally, Charlotte added that there is a sense of pride that comes along with working alongside those much higher up in the ranks. She believed that a private office is not something that a newly hired associate strives for but often envies or despises. The closed offices act as a barrier to interaction and thus, productivity.

In conclusion. Social interaction is incredibly important for workplace efficiency and diligence. Furthermore, ease of social interaction between higher ups and the newbies creates a strong, efficient, hardworking, equal, and collaborative work environment that leads to the increased productivity within any company.