"What do you mean you won't have any desks" Part 2

THE DETAILS!

 

 

Well, first I want to thank everyone for their patience.  The support you have shown me based on my obvious anxiety was tremendous, and Active Rain people are the best people there are so I want to thank you.

Second of all, I am going to try and explain the exact vision as best I can.  I am still debating whether I should try this using video, but I'll give it a start using those things we call words first, so here we go.


The Vision:

To create a transformational space that not only emphasizes functionality using the latest technologies, but inspires all that are associated with it by combining form and function with aesthetic.  (While doing so on a shoe string budget of course!)  Why?  Because the industry has changed and so has the way we work.  Creating a space that is dedicated to that premise is vital to the success of the Chevy Chase office.  Therefore the result I am seeking is to create something no one in the Real Estate industry has seen anywhere.


The Components:

1) Idea Central:  The nerve center of the office, Idea Central is the very heart and soul of the office and is meant to encourage all staff and associates to grow.  The largest part of the office, this open space takes over where the traditional bullpen used to be.  No longer are there rows of desks, empty and void of production and life.  Now it is the lifeblood of the space - where agents share, laugh, learn.  Now Idea central has two parts: the functional and the lounge.  

The functional part is where an agent will bring their laptop, plugin, and get to work.  There are two crescent shaped tables, like at a library, where the agent will work, print, create, write, market, and do everything else they would do in a traditional office setting.  The only difference is there is no assigned seating and it has tremendous style!  This is for the mobile professional who comes, does their business, and leaves.

The lounge section is the other part of the large room.  Like a Starbucks, it encourages people to hang out, share, and do work in a much more casual setting.  The space is strewn with comfortable furniture, soft lighting, and even a wii.  The point is, if you are the type that enjoys sitting on the couch, with your laptop and a cup of coffee, Chevy Chase's Idea Central lounge will allow you to do that.  Idea Central will be completed in Phase 1. 

2) Agent Alley:  This is where the best may still have a place to call their own.  Though you must earn your way to a spot that is dedicated to you, production is not the only prerequisite.  An agent must also USE the space.

3) Home Rooms:  The home room is the answer to unused space!  There is nothing more frustrating than staring at an empty conference room, or seeing two agents want the same conference room when one can easily see only 1/3 of the space used.  The homeroom is the answer to that.  Small, private, and comfortable, these rooms will emphasize the intimacy one must have when they are speaking with their clients.  It's not about old antique furniture, it's about privacy.  The home room will provide that.  Unfortunately, the home room build out will be a year or so away :( but I'm working on it.

 

So, there's the idea.  Construction should begin on Wednesday, and at this point I feel like I'm giving birth.  What do you think?  I have some drawings but I'll have to add those later.  So patience my friends!

By the way, I actually came up with those names so if you steal them, send me royalties! LOL

 

 
This post has been included in District of Columbia Information

38 Comments on "What do you mean you won't have any desks" Part 2 THE DETAILS!

SEP
26
5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

David, I'm hearing similar concepts being kicked around and some versions of it implimented on the "other" coast. Surely it says something about the "visioning" taking place that those who are interested in moving forward are arriving at similar conclusions. Personally, I think you are on the right track and I will be interested to hear how each stage progresses! THANK YOU for sharing and not keeping it close to the belt!

4:33pm • #2

I like the names you have come up with and see some of them applying to our office.  My President at Sky decided one weekend to do some arranging and decorating and it is very similar to your concept.  I really like going into the office for what ever reason for some of the same things you are writing about.  The Lounge (*as you call it) is a place where we visit and learn alot about each other and what is going on in other's businesses.  Great going, I think you will find it changes the entire attitude of the office. 

4:40pm • #3
224,080 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Darian - we are in the process of redesigning our vision of the office we hope to create next year when our current lease is up.  We are thinking much along the same lines sans the private offices that most agents don't seem to want anymore.  Less space and certainly fits the budget much much better.  I like your lounge area - so that's open to your functinal part?  My only concern is it might get a little too noisy - knowing agents when they get to chatting!  I can't wait to move!

4:45pm • #4
Outside Blog

I love it.  The only drawback I can see is having agents that don't want to leave!  Maybe you can hire a barista as well?

5:21pm • #5

I am curious as to how this goes for you.  it is difficult at times to get agents to focus on their business.  With the lounge, it may be a bit more difficult.  Agents seem to be easily distracted, with other agents around, lounging, it may be that way.

Good luck!

5:23pm • #6

Darrin - I am a believer in this office model and wish you the best with it.  I look forward one day to having a boutique office of my own - it makes me happy to know that more and more people are starting to move in this direction.

 

5:47pm • #7
Outside Blog

Great ideas you have here. Keep us up to date on the progress and get pictures up!

6:03pm • #8
158,646 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Darrin - The only "issue" I see is the agent hierarchy- i.e. some agents have private offices, others not.  Unless, you'll have a desk fee plan for those who "use" the offices, instead of working from home?  I like the lounge area a lot.

6:07pm • #9
8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Darrin:

Being comfortable in the workplace is an idea that is long overdue.  It sounds good to me.

 

6:34pm • #10

I like it! I don't understand how you'd convince them to put a Wii in the office, or why, but it all sounds like a great, workable plan. It actually does sound kind of similar to my office, minus the awesome lounge, the comfortable client rooms (we only have one board room and one sterile client room) Sounds great, hope it all goes well in Chevy Chase!

Kate Rookes
6:52pm • #11
106,270 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I have seen a similar office set up in one of the downtown Nashville real estate offices.  Only there is also a kitchen area and then an area where they have in-house interior decorators/designers who are there for the clients.  Pretty cool concept!  Although I didn't choose this office, it was not due to the office layout but the fees associated with the office.  I LOVED the office concept.  Way cool!  It's scary that you have a Wii in there, though.  I don't think I'd ever leave!

7:20pm • #12
Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Great ideas I recently got my brokers license have been trying to figure out what sort office I plan to have as well. I may still some of these ideas thanks.

7:47pm • #13
259,586 Points 2 Featured Posts Hit Router

Hi Darrin -- Congrats on your vision, I hope it works for everyone.  Did you conduct a focus group with the agents asking them what they want and need?

7:47pm • #14

I really like the whole concept. Conference rooms dedicate far too much space for the way they are typically used, so I like how you more efficiently dedicate that space to the Home Rooms.

7:52pm • #16
Outside Blog

Darrin,

Awesome ideas, hate to burst your bubble some.  Our office, a Long and Foster company. Has  such an concept in use in NC.  We mostly use it for new agents.  Sorry to say even use the term "hotel area".  The newbies have an idea table to work around and half cubes to plug into along the wall, private glass hotel areas for calls.  The front of the office had traditional conference rooms for all agents use.  Most other agents are home based and mobile. The bottom line is that it works out great and they get so much from each other in this open atmosphere.  When I was a newbie I was on my own and noone shared.

8:31pm • #17
1 Featured Post

I am one of the agents in Darrin's office and we are SO excited about the new things about to happen. I think that we are a pretty cohesive group in the office and this will make it even more so. The space is going to be really great and not just something that the newbie agents get thrown into. It will be space for all of us to hang out in and work and tallk and share. Why should the newbies have all the fun and moral support? We need it too - probably more so!

8:53pm • #18
446,576 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Darrin, I myself like an area that I can call my own and that I can spread out in.  I wouldn't feel comfortable in your vision.

9:46pm • #20
10 Featured Posts

Loving it!  We had a lounge at one of our offices, however the older agents voted it down and it was made over into a stuffy conference room.  Boo.   Maybe if we'd have had a Wii. ;)   Can't wait to follow along and see you give birth to this office!

9:50pm • #21
141,326 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Love the lounge idea - agents have to glom up somewhere - better in a designated area than around the front desk or in a work area with someone trying to make some phone calls.

10:39pm • #22
Outside Blog

Just a head's up:  I will be working from the the Chevy Chase office on Mondays, Wedesdays and Fridays.  And, I'm pretty good at Wii Tennis. Don't say you weren't warned.  :)

11:44pm • #23
383,634 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Will be interesting to see how your plan works. I have seen the KW model as I used to be there for just over 4 years. Will yours be simular ?

11:44pm • #24
SEP
27
164,769 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

I think it sounds like a great idea for people who need to go into a central office. Personally, I love working in my home office and I don't ever go to another one because we all work from home. The lounge for me is right here at Active Rain.

6:48am • #25
Outside Blog

I'm looking forward to seeing how your plans work out, I can do almost everything from home but there are distractions, but the typical office setting is not the answer. I like the comment from Virginia about hanging around the front desk.

6:57am • #26
117,102 Points Hit Router

Darrrin, Great idea! I think it will work out well for your office.  I need to stop by when it is completed.

7:53am • #27

The home room seems like a good idea. It is less "meeting business like" and more talking to discuss.

8:10am • #28
1 Featured Post

Darrin,

Your idea rocks! I believe we will see more of this style office in the future.  I just did a post describing our new office "Why can't a real estate office be fun AND functional?" Looks like we are on the same track!

Good luck with your new endeavor.

8:31am • #29
178,385 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Darrin..There are more and more offices like this opening around the country..but their fees to the agents are minimal..personally I like my private office.. GOOD LUCK

HELPFULHANNAH

9:11am • #30
164,485 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Good luck with your plans. I hope you have much success in your new office.

9:17am • #31
319,346 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Great idea. I am torn right now between renewing my lease (up next year) and going out to a new space, to do something like what you're thinking. I have agents who NEVER come in--they work from home. Only my appraiser comes in every day and uses her own office. Others just pop in with paperwork, or to meet a client, then are gone again. THe bullpens/private offices in most places are wasted space. I am itching to do something different.

9:24am • #32
116,432 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I love it!  It sounds like you are designing the office I opened earlier this year.  I called it form and function over fluff.  I believe that gone are the days of posh offices with $3,000. sofas in the lobby.  It is about offering a high tech, low overhead place for agents to conduct business and then get back out in the field where they belong!  I have a coffee bar, work stations, a small conference area, a comfortable lounge area and technology...it works for me and I am looking for agents who think and work like I do, so it isn't for everyone.  If you are looking for a place to hang dozens of million dollar club plaques and eat Krispy Kremes...well you will be disappointed.  But if you are serious about making money by building a real estate business that will stand the test of time...then I have the place for you!  :o)))) 

10:02am • #33
185,854 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

David, I recently purchased the building I've been leasing for 5 years and am in the process of a remodel with the same angle. Because I wasn't able to start from scratch though I'm somewhat hindered but the concept is the same. I have an "agent alley" (Literally by the way, a long hall of private offcies) but everything else is being opened up into lounge/work stations/meeting spaces. It's the future of the office without a doubt!

10:36am • #34
356,938 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

This sounds like a great new take on organizing an office. I would expect that you will bring in agents who are ready for a change or appreciate technology which will probably complement the new type of office you're creating.

3:01pm • #35
103,025 Points

Does your customers have access to the loung as well. It sounds like a well laid plan for all. I usually start my day at starbucks and lounge around planning the day.

4:46pm • #36
2 Featured Posts

This is awesome. So exciting to hear people thinking, talking, and creating innovative, new, FUN ways to do business. Don't forget the importance of color!

9:22pm • #37
SEP
28

What a very hip office concept. I've been wondering why our firm still has landline phones on every desk.  Comfortable, open space sounds like a refreshing change.  Your forward-thinking idea will become the new office model for many AR brokers.  How about a video of the "reveal" like they show on TV?! 

Leslie Wilson
12:43am • #38

Leave a response…



(optional)
What does the graphic say?
 
Rainmaker_large

Darrin Friedman

Chevy Chase, DC

More about me…

Darrin Friedman - Coldwell Banker Chevy Chase

Office Phone: (202) 362-5800

Cell Phone: (301) 351-5423

Email Me



Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find DC real estate agents and Chevy Chase real estate on ActiveRain.