As we have mentioned in previous columns, Veldhoen + Company is a pioneer of Activity-Based Working (ABW) and is working with Itoki to support the introduction of ABW in Japan. Unfortunately, however, not many people in Japan correctly understand the meaning of ABW. Originally, ABW refers to a comprehensive approach to work styles and workplaces, but in Japan, the name ABW has taken on a life of its own as a method of building an office.
So in this column, I would like to talk about the idea of "activity-based." In the second half, I will also introduce a video compiled by Veldhoen + Company's head of Asia and senior consultant on the latest trends in hybrid work in Japan that are compatible with ABW.
First of all, why do we focus on "activity" as the name "activity-based" suggests? As a way to understand the importance of this using a familiar example, let's look back at how we spend our time at home from the perspective of activity.
When you do this, three things become apparent.
First, we realize that there are many different types of activities we do at home: cooking, sleeping, playing with the kids, watching movies, and so on, all of which are different activities suited to different lifestyles.
Second, our homes have multiple spaces to support the various activities we do: a kitchen for cooking, a bedroom for sleeping, a living room for relaxing, etc. We live our lives choosing the best space for each activity. In other words, we are unconsciously practicing activity-based living.
And the third point is that the size of each space, such as the kitchen and bedrooms, and the specifications of the facilities vary from home to home. A home for someone who loves to cook is likely to have a large kitchen space with a high-performance oven, while an athlete's home may have a bed designed to support better quality sleep than the average home. In other words, the physical space of a home differs according to the purpose, preferences, and activity level of the people who live there. This is activity-based space.
Based on this, what can we see when we look back at past work styles and offices? In traditional offices, people were given a single individual desk at which they had to perform various tasks, and it was not possible to choose a location for each task as one would do at home. Now that it is becoming less common to be given individual desks in light of the flexibility of the office, there is a need for offices that support a work style in which people are conscious of the activities they are doing and choose a shared space that is appropriate for each activity. This is why we believe it is important to focus on activities, and is one of the reasons why ABW is attracting so much attention.
Before COVID-19, the idea that "workplace = office" was common, and ABW-based spaces were often limited to the office. However, now that the home has become a second office and more people are working outside the office, more and more organizations are thinking about what activities should be done at home. With many companies introducing hybrid work, it is important to choose a place that supports an "activity-based" work style and a place to work that suits your activities.
So how does Veldhoen + Company view hybrid work, which is becoming more widespread along with ABW? What are the characteristics of our Japanese work style compared to the rest of the world, or to other Asian countries? What is the future of work style that we should aim for? Below is a rough outline of "The latest trends in work styles in Japan where hybrid work is becoming more prevalent"* as explained by Veldhoen + Company's senior consultant and head of the Asia region.
The Japanese workers
- Highest percentage of people wanting to work remotely in Asia Pacific
- Realizing the feasibility and Advantage of working from home
- Now is the perfect time to rethink your organization's work style
The video is just over three minutes long and includes Japanese subtitles. We hope you will take the time to watch it and use it as an opportunity to think again about ABW.
