Mobile meeting room

Improved productivity due to less noise in the workplace

Recent research by Leesman (2023) shows that 92% of employees surveyed consider individual focus work in silence the most important work activity - both in the office and at home. However, noise pollution appears to be one of the main causes of loss of concentration in the workplace for 93% of employees, according to research by the NPO program The Monitor. Thinking about a new office layout is necessary here. However, this does not have to involve major remodeling. Phone booths or (larger) pods are a flexible solution and ensure that you do not disturb your colleagues on the work floor with your phone call or video call. It also works the other way around. Is it noisy on the shop floor? Then lock yourself in a call box or pod so you can focus. A quieter work environment creates 15 to 28% more productivity. More importantly, a quiet work environment also contributes to employee well-being and mental health.

Flexibility in office layout

Looking at occupancy and behavior, data from Measuremen (2022) shows that closed meeting spaces are missed in the workplace, while open consultation spaces and consultation tables are often not used. This means that space is not being used to its full potential. Online meetings are now the norm, whether you work from home or the office. At the office, this means you prefer to look for an enclosed space, and when large(er) meeting rooms are available, one and one is two. Large meeting rooms are not used for what they are intended for, much to the frustration of your employees. 

A new office layout without a major remodel? Then you can! Pods on the work floor is an efficient and flexible solution for the layout and optimal use of space in the office. Pods come in different sizes; from single call cells, an enclosed workstation for focus work incl. desk, to pods for two to six people for a physical meeting. This keeps large meeting rooms available and pods solve the misuse of open or enclosed spaces.

How do you choose a booth?

Every situation is different, which also makes choosing the right booth a challenge. Our team offers the help you need. After all, it's not a given that the pod with the best specs on paper is immediately the best choice for your office.

What is the purpose of the purchase? Do you need the booth for consultations, short calls or do colleagues have many confidential conversations? Is sustainability important, and how much do you value the design of the booth? Also consider the technical aspect: is a connection to the sprinkler system required, for example? These are all points on which we advise.

What do you want to use a booth for?

It is important to identify where the needs of the team lie. In this magazine, we provide advice for each pod or booth tested on what it can best be used for.

Pods can be used for the following activities:

• Short (unscheduled or scheduled) phone calls or video meetings
• Long scheduled video meetings
• Focus work for one person
• Focus work for multiple people
• A physical consultation with two or more people
• Collaborating, brainstorming or giving presentations

Aspects that determine which booth is appropriate for which activity:

• Acoustics for a fine sound experience in the pod. The more one uses the pod, the better the acoustics should be.
• Soundproofing for privacy for users and colleagues around the pod. When the pod is placed in a quiet room or near workstations, soundproofing is of greater importance - both the sound level from inside the pod to the outside, and from outside the pod to the inside.
• Air ventilation. The longer someone uses the pod, the more important a good flow of fresh air is. Especially in larger pods where several people are working or meeting in the pod at the same time.
• Ergonomic furniture. Should the pod be used only for calls or online meetings of up to an hour? Then don't place a pod with an ergonomic workstation and office chair. People will then stay seated soon after a meeting and occupy the pod for the rest of the day. A pod with a work surface with a comfortable stool is often sufficient.
• Technology is important for an optimal experience in video meetings; in addition to access to power and the Internet, consider special lighting for video calling. In addition, several manufacturers also offer a reservation system including integration for company calendars and booths and pods have sensors to measure real-time usage.
• Accessibility for disabled people.

Convinced about a pod in the office? Then make sure you make arrangements with your employees about the use of pods. If you have installed a pod intended for short calls, you don't want your employee to keep the pod occupied for hours because of focus work. Several manufacturers have sophisticated reservation systems to smoothly manage usage and occupancy. Consider maximum reservation time, as well as data collection on occupancy and how best to use the pod. 

Where will the booth be located?

Perhaps the most important question is: Where will the booth or pod be located? Acoustics and soundproofing plays a big role in determining where the pod will be. Because as mentioned earlier, the pod with the best specs on paper is not the best pod for every spot in the office. You have to consider the noise levels of the spaces where you place a pod. On the shop floor at workstations, for example, the noise level will be lower than at the entrance to the building or in the cafeteria or restaurant.

Keep in mind these 5 aspects:

Close to
Place pods close to users so that people can find and use the pods quickly and easily. Especially for unplanned calls, it is nice to have pods close to workstations. Employees prefer to travel a not too long distance when they want to use a booth.

Available
Place pods strategically in different areas of the office so that private spaces are always available to work in and make (video) calls.

Practical
Place pods where they will be used - near noisy workplaces, open spaces and social hotspots.

Visible
Place pods so that it is easy to see if the pods are occupied or available for use.

Accessible
Place pods in locations that are easily accessible to all employees to ensure equal access to private workspaces.