Workshops at neotares: Together on the way to a beautiful working environment

To answer these and many other questions, we conduct numerous workshops throughout our projects. It's not just talk; everyone is actively involved, working together on solutions. Let's break it down.

Our workshops are as diverse and individual as our clients and tailored to their needs. We make it a priority to understand the specific needs and expectations of our clients and put them at the center of our work. This enables us to respond flexibly to a wide range of situations and challenges and to develop optimal solutions. Here are some of the key objectives we pursue:

At the beginning of a project, vision workshops are often the first step. The goal is to define the vision and goals of the project together with the client. In such a workshop, ideas are collected, needs are identified, and initial concepts are developed. Topics such as future work methods, space concepts, or technology requirements can be discussed. It's not just about superficial requirements, but fundamental needs that manifest in daily work routines.

Throughout the project, it's important to ensure progress and keep the project on track. Planning workshops help to define concrete steps and review the schedule. At the same time, design workshops provide an opportunity to work with the client to define the aesthetic and functional aspects of the project. This may include the selection of colors and materials, or the design of workspaces and common areas.

Another important focus of our workshops is change management and employee involvement. Especially before a relocation or restructuring, it's important to actively involve employees in the process and prepare them for the changes. Workshops can help allay fears, clarify questions and promote acceptance of change. Targeted measures can prepare employees for the new work environment and familiarize them with new processes and technologies.

How do we get the information we need to make our workshops successful? This is where the art of preparation comes into play. Each workshop has a specific topic and goal; our job is to choose the "right" methods to achieve those goals. Importantly, workshops are best held in a creative environment, away from the office, in order to be inspired.

Thinking with images: Picture Postcards

One of our favorite methods? The picture postcard method. Picture Postcards allow participants to think freely and express their visions and ideas in a playful way. Whether visualizing the future of the workplace or questioning communication relationships, these cards are a unique way to communicate thoughts and ideas.

Shaping ideas with Lego Serious Play

Another popular approach to making ideas tangible and stimulating thought processes is to work with Lego bricks: Lego Serious Play (LSP). We use this somewhat unconventional method to develop strategies, solve problems, and create visions of the future. Importantly, the results of LSP always depends on the question posed, and the bricks help us find the answers. It's not just about building, but also about embodying abstract concepts and relationships. We follow the proven CORE process: Challenge, Build, Communicate, Reflect. The main benefits of LSP are social communication, community building and cultural expression.

Rethinking Work Environments with design thinking & business theater

Another approach is design thinking, a creative method often used in interdisciplinary teams to develop appropriate work environments. The user is at the center: ideas are generated and tested in an iterative process. A more unconventional method is the business theater. Here, situations or scenes are acted out to prepare employees for the new work environment and to increase acceptance of changes. Experiential learning is entertaining and makes complex content easier to understand.

Designing work environments in 3D

Planning workshops can also be an effective way to stimulate participants' imaginations. Using floor plans or even 3D models, participants can develop a realistic idea of their future work environment. 3D models, in particular, allow participants to explore spaces and design different work environments. This enables them to actively participate in the planning process and familiarize themselves with the new space modules.

As varied as the methods are, so are the insights gained. Often, it's a matter of identifying and addressing participants' fears and questions. We then use these insights to respond with further change or communication efforts.

Our workshops not only serve to gather information, but also form the basis for further planning. Whether it is determining space requirements or planning the arrangement of space modules, our workshops provide concrete data that is incorporated into the design. Although we often use playful methods, our goal is always clear: to achieve concrete results that help our clients realize their visions.

Ultimately, it's about building bridges between idea and reality, between vision and implementation. That's what our workshops are for: to accompany our clients on their way to a new work environment.