In an effort to create the ideal office environment, companies often focus on major renovations or complete relocations. But sometimes the most impactful improvements are the simplest.
Our work with hundreds of organizations has revealed that targeted, relatively low-cost technology and workspace improvements can deliver a return on investment. These "low-hanging fruit" solutions can improve your employee experience without the disruption of major construction or the expense of relocation.
Let's explore four of these ideas below:
Network Infrastructure
Here are some signs your network might be sabotaging productivity:
- Video calls that freeze or drop
- Delays when accessing cloud-based tools
- "Dead zones" where connectivity is unreliable
- Slow file transfers or downloads
The Quick-Win Solution
A comprehensive network assessment followed by targeted upgrades typically delivers immediate improvements. These don't always require a complete overhaul—often, strategic access point placement and bandwidth allocation can improve performance.
How Align Can Help: Our network assessment identifies bottlenecks and provides a prioritized upgrade path. Most importantly, we focus on solving the specific connectivity challenges your team faces, rather than proposing unnecessary overhauls.
Video Conferencing
With hybrid work now standard, quality video conferencing is essential infrastructure. Yet many companies struggle with systems that create more problems than they solve.
The Real Cost of Poor Meeting Experiences
Poor video fundamentally changes meeting dynamics:
- Remote participants remain passive observers
- Extra time spent clarifying points due to poor audio quality
- Meeting fatigue from straining to hear or see
- Reluctance to use video, reducing engagement
The Quick-Win Solution
- Auto-framing cameras that keep everyone in view
- Ceiling microphone arrays that capture natural conversation
- One-touch joining to eliminate setup delays
- Proper displays positioned for natural eye contact
Quick Win: Start with your most-used meeting rooms. A single well-equipped space delivers more value than multiple rooms with mediocre technology.
How Align Can Help: Our experts can identify your specific meeting patterns and recommend right-sized solutions. We focus on intuitive systems that require minimal training and maintenance.
Access Control
Security shouldn't come at the cost of convenience. Modern access control systems can enhance rather than hinder workplace flow.
Time Costs of Outdated Access Methods
- Forgotten badges leading to security workarounds
- Time spent waiting for temporary credentials
- Manual visitor management distracting reception staff
- Cumbersome after-hours access procedures
The Quick-Win Solution
- Mobile credentials that use employees' smartphones
- Touchless access points for high-traffic areas
- Integrated visitor management with pre-registration
- Simplified but secure temporary access processes
How Align Can Help: We can integrate modern access control with your existing security infrastructure. We’ll provide a phased implementation path that delivers immediate improvements without requiring a complete system replacement.
Workspace Booking Systems
When employees can't easily find and reserve appropriate spaces, you might see:
- Time wasted searching for available rooms
- A reluctance to come into the office
- Interrupted work when spaces are unexpectedly occupied
- Inefficient space utilization as rooms sit empty despite appearing "booked"
- Frustration leading to poor meeting experiences
The Quick-Win Solution
Simple, intuitive booking systems:
- Clear room status indicators (in-person and digital)
- Mobile booking capabilities for on-the-go changes
- Auto-release for no-show bookings
- Analytics to improve space planning
How Align Can Help: Our workspace management solutions integrate with your existing calendaring systems.
Transform Your Workplace Today
Small, strategic improvements can yield immediate benefits while setting the stage for your long-term vision. Our team is ready to help you identify the quick wins that will make the biggest difference for your organization. Contact Align's Workplace Technology team today to get the conversation started.
