The pandemic will no doubt change the workspace. While many are waiting to see what the new office environment will look like, Mark Coxon of Tangram expects a blended workplace with opportunities to work remotely and in the office. To accommodate these changes, workplace design will need to change as well. This will mean changes in perspective of meetings and communication, technology and even furniture.

"The platforms we use now for remote interaction are all very time-based. We come together in a Zoom meeting for one or two hours, the room expires, and we close out," Coxon, technology sales director at Tangram, tells GlobeSt.com. "Maybe we send an email with some action items and then we schedule another meeting. We recap what we did last time and run through deliverables. Often almost half of every meeting is a restart, with the next half getting to a certain point before we have to stop again. More effective meeting management is critical for boosting productivity."

Furniture will need to change to accompany new meeting styles and objectives. "To set an analytical frame of mind, use soft furniture that allows people to lean back into a seated, thoughtful position. For a more creative mood, people should be perching and active with standing height seats, high tables and similar items since motion activates the brain," says Coxon.