Change – A Vision for the Evolving Workplace

Insights into our philosophy that is designed to embrace change.

“Our 'Design with Impact' approach addresses the human need of employees to improve their wellbeing, fosters a sense of community and connection, and helps organisations navigate, prepare and design for change. This approach is our response to the rapidly changing office landscape. It ensures that we meet changing demands and nurture the essential interpersonal ties that drive innovation, culture, and business success." — Sandeep Jakky, Market Manager, Manager – Regional Projects (India & SAARC)

As rightly mentioned by Sandeep, we see change as a beacon, not a disruption. It's an opportunity to innovate and inspire.? That is why we extend our commitment to flexibility, privacy, thoughtful culture, and technological integration as a response to the changing needs of the workspace.

Flexible Workspaces for Adaptability

Flexibility in our designs allows us to remain agile, adapting quickly to both operational needs and employee preferences. For instance, our latest OE1 workspace collection by Herman Miller exemplifies this principle. It's crafted to ensure that companies can evolve their spaces without constant overhauls. Additionally, products like the Byne System, Lima Monitor Arms, and Pullman Booth are developed with modularity and customisation in mind, addressing the evolving needs of clients and enhancing user experience. This adaptability is crucial not only for accommodating day-to-day shifts in how employees work but also for long-term business scalability and sustainability.? The idea behind crafting solutions that are agile is to support a work culture that embraces change rather than resists it.

Designing for Privacy and Collaboration

In a world where organisations are breaking away from unified work styles, we do our bit to extend the variety of options that we offer. This effectively implies that while open-plan environments foster collaboration, we also wish to give our users the option of private working spaces that cater to more focused and?uninterrupted work. Our solutions, like the Pullman Booth by NaughtOne are designed to create oases of privacy in open settings. These pieces ensure that while collaborative spaces buzz with energy, there are also zones of quietude and concentration.

When it comes to open spaces, our breakout areas are more than just spaces to unwind. They can nurture how we connect across teams, encouraging informal yet impactful exchanges that often lead to some of the best ideas. This setting lowers barriers, making it easier for spontaneous and creative dialogues to flourish. Our use of vibrant, comfortable seating options like the molded chairs from Herman Miller and Muuto invites relaxation and conversation, making these spaces hubs of informal collaboration. "These areas enhance collaboration, boost productivity, and reduce stress. Usually, this is where my interactions with team members from different departments happen. It’s always nice to mingle, collaborate, laugh, relax, and refresh in these spaces,”?shares Ashiki Powar, Talent Acquisition Specialist.?

We believe that each piece is a blend of aesthetics and functionality, crafted to support seamless interactions. Our range of tables from our collective of brands like Herman Miller, Knoll, Muuto, and NaughtOne are designed to facilitate this new era of cooperation, whether it's through informal brainstorming sessions, formal meetings that demand more ergonomic comfort, or spaces that simply inspire dialogue. “Our approach to design at MillerKnoll always puts the user's needs first, making every product decision an inclusive one,” shares Allwin Peter, Product Manager-APMEA, adding to the idea that ultimately, our spaces and products cater to every individual, irrespective of their preferred working style.?

Integrating Technology

Technology is pivotal in modern workspaces, and it is with that in mind that we have incorporated it in various ways. Products like the Flo X monitor arm by Colebrook Bosson Saunders (CBS), part of collective, were designed with the intention to minimise physical strain by aligning the screen with the natural line of sight. Anupam Sarkar from CBS notes, "With the increasing adoption of curved and large-format screens, our Flo X monitor arms are designed to accommodate these new technologies seamlessly, thereby enhancing ergonomic comfort and viewing experiences without causing any physical strain to the user."

This ensures that the workspace meets modern demands while enhancing comfort and functionality. Another example is the Ondo Connectivity by CBS, designed to offer clutter-free connections between your laptop and the other technology on your desk. These integrations are pivotal in creating workspaces that are truly fit for the future.?

Additionally, we have also done our best to seamlessly integrate technology into our working environments too. When it comes to technology, we are committed to continuously enhancing our cybersecurity measures and raising awareness among our teams. “We trust our employees to handle technology responsibly. Of course, we rigorously ensure that there are no vulnerabilities that could lead to data loss or intellectual property breaches. This robust security framework allows us to focus solely on our work, confident in the integrity and security of our systems,” shares Jan Mohammad, Director - Global Technology Services.

Thoughtfulness As Our Strength?

While our products define us in the industry, our culture defines us as an organisation. At MillerKnoll, fostering a culture of thoughtfulness - towards our people and the planet - is a critical part of our ethos. "There are some aspects that are key to our culture. This includes flexibility, inclusivity, and creating a strong sense of community among our diverse workforces. With dynamic cultural events, fun, and sports, we do our best in maintaining employee engagement. Additionally, regular reviews and check-ins are part of our approach to ensure that all team members always feel connected and engaged,” shares Megha Jigalur, HR Manager, Global Human Resources. We take significant efforts to ensure that every employee, regardless of their background or ability, feels involved and valued. From accessible design in our products to inclusivity in our workplace policies, we aim to create an environment where inclusion is celebrated.?

?The other angle to our thoughtfulness is towards the planet. With our sustainability initiatives, we are doing our bit. Whether it’s by eliminating the use of single-use plastics in our packaging or using technological advancements in our production processes to reduce our energy and carbon footprint, we’ve been on a continuous mission to adapt more eco-friendly practices. “Our switch from single-use plastic to corrugated cardboard in packaging is just one of many steps we’ve taken towards sustainability. We are constantly exploring new technologies and practices to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint, ensuring that our operations are as environmentally friendly as possible.” adds Smithun Prem, our Senior Team Leader - Product Development Engineering.

While these may only cover a fraction of our initiatives, we take pride in our commitment to continuous improvement. We believe that every step drives us closer to our goal and ensures that our designs meet today's needs and anticipate tomorrow's challenges. Our close partnerships and research-driven solutions ensure that our spaces remain ahead of the curve. We invite you to join our journey of innovation and adaptation, where each change is an opportunity to excel.

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