Modern businesses aspire to be flexible and agile - but what’s the difference between flexibility and agility in the workspace, and why does it matter?
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change,” Einstein once said, and it’s a concept widely recognised by businesses today in conversations about flexibility and agility. But while these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to two very different business
capabilities.
Agility is described as ‘the ability to move quickly and easily’ while flexibility points at ‘the ability to change.’ For long-term success, businesses should be prepared for both.
Recent political events in key global markets have shown that the socio-political environment is becoming ever more unpredictable. It goes without saying that events in key markets have ripple effects on businesses around the world, and it has led to many developing contingency plans that involve significant changes, such as migrating head offices or key manufacturing plants.
Others are taking a longer-term view, reviewing their entire business model to make sure it is ready to withstand both the current challenges on the table and any changes that may follow. In other words, they are aspiring to not only be a flexible business, but an agile one.
The answer: accuracy.
As entrepreneurs and business leaders know, when and how to act can be the difference between success and failure. Their ability to read the market, read the room, and calculate the optimum moment to launch a brand, a product, or a proposal is essential to success.
Flexibility is just as important, as it’s inevitable that businesses will pivot and modify processes as they go, and this should be embraced. By having an agile business, businesses can future-proof themselves because they are establishing a model that is built to change.
Businesses that are modeled on rigid structures, processes and a fixed understanding of the world will take twice as long to react and adapt, losing time and putting them squarely behind the competition.
In the years to come, there’s no question that businesses will have to adapt to unpredictable and challenging changes. South Africa is a perfect example, considering there is no end in sight to the power problems we are faced with.
With an increasingly volatile environment, it seems obvious that if a business does not embrace agility it will fail.
One step towards agility is giving employees the choice of how and where they work. According to research from IWG, this can not only reduce the CapEx and OpEx associated with a fixed office space but increase speed to market and also help businesses consolidate
portfolios.
It will come as no surprise that agile leaders also make agile businesses. Steve Jobs once said: “ Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations.” The story of Steve Jobs’ own success is
evidence that this statement is true.
Think agile. Contact us to help your business stay ahead of the pack.
First established in 1989, Regus is one of the original pioneers of flexible workspace, helping businesses choose a way of working that’s best for their people.
Now spanning the globe with over 3,000 locations, Regus’ global network of bright, inspiring workspaces allows modern businesses to work where, when and how they want, in a more agile way.
Regus provides businesses with the flexibility to grow without risk or commitment, and attracts a diverse network of 2.5 million people, from entrepreneurs and SMEs to multi-national blue-chip companies.
Regus is an operating brand of IWG plc: the holding group for a number of leading workspace providers. Other brands in the IWG portfolio include Spaces, HQ, No18 and Signature by Regus.
For more information please visit: www.regus.co.za