In general, I think it compares to taking a vacation.

Just before you go on a vacation, you are forced to focus your productivity in preparation for leaving. After coming back you are refreshed because you look at things with a new perspective.

Employees that switch desks occasionally are likely experiencing both benefits. They are also likely experiencing the momentary relief that comes from throwing a lot of unnecessary “stuff” out in the transition.

However, I do think there is tremendous switching cost involved in making this kind of regular transition. I believe this kind of desk-location switching is not nearly as effective as changing the general office environment, and possibly desk decor regularly, coupled with solid personal systems coaching for individuals.

Office design has utilized “hotel” workstations for outside sales people that aren’t in the office all the time. All personal items are stored in one location, often a locking file drawer or possibly a mobile pedestal/ small file cabinet. With this concept, it doesn’t matter what desk you sit, you roll your personal items with you.

This desk switching tactic would foster better “team” attitude and lessen attachment to certain desk locations (which can cause great problems in the office). I love Zappos and would have really enjoyed to see how their organization works. They are implementing a lot of the newest office design elements that was great to see. A lot of offices are slow to adopt some of these concepts because they aren’t sure that employees will remain productive if not in traditional office space.

Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne Stafford, IIDA, LEED-AP
Elemental Design, LLC

Thanks for giving all of us a peak into Zappos.

I think that the reason that Zappos employees could switch desks at random is likely because they are already following a couple points you teach.

1. Each person would want to be very organized in their individual way of keeping their desk. i.e. they would have all their desk drawer stuff in baskets or bins, etc. Then, when they move, it would be a simple transfer of bins, not stuff.

2. Also, they likely have all of their work & personal computer files saved to the company server. This is one thing I try to get our employees to do, but struggle sometimes. If everyone is saving their stuff to the server, then when (and I mean when not if) their computer crashes, we can have them back up and running in a matter of hours, not days.

If everyone was this organized and following this procedure, I could see moving desks taking an hour or two at best. The great part is that it would force (or rather reward) people for staying organized.

The other benefit I see is that employees tend to become friends with those around them. If you are constantly changing your surroundings, you would befriend almost everyone. You would also find synergy in getting input from a constant new pool of peers. Also, no desk or cubicle or office would become a rite of passage or a status symbol or a man’s island.

If handled right, I could see desk switching being the means of helping each individual remember they are part of a team and the team as a whole having a level of organization and cooperation that is unparalleled.

Thanks again for the idea.

Thanks for sharing this. Great insights. I love their core values and how they use those to guide decisions in their business.

As for the desk switching. I used to do this when I ran a sales team. It helped productivity for a couple of reasons. #1- Their main distractions at their regular desk were gone. #2- We found that sometimes a change of scenery energizes you as well.

Great clip, and nice insights, too.

I would say, fundamentally speaking, that I guess the employees over at Zappos can remain productive even if they move around a little based on the fact that they are so ‘mobile’ internally anyway, from what I saw and have read about.

I understand that everyone has Blackberry’s or iPhones or other Smart Phone devices that allow them to actively be available via IM software almost everywhere and anywhere in the office.

If I am wrong, feel free to correct me – and I’d love to hear your, and other peoples thoughts on this, too.

Hope all is good!

Best,
Chris