A More Effective Way To Organize Your Office Plan

Michael Bloomberg is an incredibly successful businessman. He has created businesses that have made him a billionaire. Thus his methods are worthy of review and consideration as his success is unquestionable.

I personally have long ago reached the same conclusion Bloomberg has reached and have utilized this concept over and over to my total satisfaction. Both Bloomberg and I highly endorse a simple but effective approach to office organization; we call it “the bullpen” approach.

This approach consists of an open floor plan without closed door private offices. I use office partitions. Some call them cubicles, however, mine are large and well-designed, attractive, inviting and open for direct communication. Some are small and designed to densely pack the office population. Both work.

With 5-foot high partitions and no doors, this provides a combination of both adequate privacy and open visibility. (Some use lower walls so everyone can see each other but I prefer the 5-footers.) People can have enough privacy to satisfy this need and as well as adequate visibility and audio clarity to allow an open, free flow of communication. Talking to each other without leaving your desk or having to penetrate a closed door office is possible. It is more inviting as everyone is more accessible.

I find there is less of a need for meetings because information and direct communication occurs naturally and frequently. There is a higher level of energy in the office because everyone is working more together than separately. It is cost-efficient to build and easily changed when necessary. The greatest advantage, though, is the flow of communication.

As a manager, I have always had a similar office structure for myself, no different than the others, which makes me more accessible as well as more aware of what’s going on during the day. I like it very much. It gives me an opportunity to be more involved in my business.

I do it. Bloomberg does it. Try it, it works!