Competing with the couch - the flex-space evolution enticing employees back to the office

From workplace obligation to destination. As employers search for ways to bring teams together, landlords are stepping in with compelling flex space solutions. With third spaces no longer a ‘nice to have’, the most successful are taking a fresh approach, leveraging their unique context, selling the experience – and remaining competitive in an evolving market.

Even though?occupancy rates?are increasing across all Australia’s capital cities, many landlords are resigned to the fact that remote work is now part of business-as-usual. Confirming this is the fact that 68 per cent of landlords consider flexible leasing options to be an important part of their strategy post-COVID, according to?VTS.

This is underpinned by the fact that employers are still experimenting with balancing working from home preferences – and an imperative to bring teams together. Recent research by CBRE confirms this with an increase in organisations encouraging employees to work from the office while permitting a moderate amount of remote working –?up 58 per cent this year from 47 per cent in July 2021.

For landlords, empty offices present opportunities for how best to utilise the additional space – and how to better support tenants, so both parties remain competitive. Many are responding by delivering third-space offerings which are flexible, tailored and amenity rich to compete with working from home. The key drivers are to build company culture, productivity, affinity, and retain talent. Ideally positioning the workplace as a destination, rather than an obligation.

Magnetic branding?

For landlords and employers, a careful approach to branding is critical. Hybrid working employees still need to feel they’re part of a larger organisation and this may involve setting up a sub-brand or implementing recognisable brand elements into the flex-space design.?

It’s also worth considering how the space itself should be branded. Many businesses are taking a more creative approach to naming their physical spaces to reflect the core activity, such as?Korean fintech company Hana Bank who named their new HQ ‘Mindmark.’ Naming the physical space sets the tone for the experience – whether it’s one of prestige, energetic collaboration or quiet focus. Doing this has the potential to attract employees and inspire a sense of purpose.

A tailored fit

While flex and third-spaces are a compelling trend – no two organisations are the same, particularly when nuances in sector, talent and location are considered. Not to mention the diverse flex typologies that exist, from co-working in?train?stations,?premium?members lounges?in remote areas, to?on-demand spaces?in hotels. It’s clear that tailored solutions are required to create competitive workplace experiences, and enable teams to get the most out of their time together.?

Ultimately, it starts with understanding your tenants and their talent so you can tap into their deeper needs. Where do they live and how do they commute? What’s their motivation for coming to the office – is it to collaborate, escape from family distractions, or socialise? What are their main tasks – important pitches, focused work, or a touch-down spot for emails between travel? Do they want to be part of a community or are they happy flying solo??

Getting it right

The answers to these questions will help you make targeted decisions for your flex space – particularly regarding its brand identity, proposition, business model, and type of amenity. It’s also important to keep seeking feedback as needs will change over time. You’ll need to monitor the satisfaction levels of your tenants and adapt the communications and experience as required.???

Brickfields Consulting and Hundredweight have an excellent track record in delivering successful flex and workplace brands, tenant experience strategies and customer satisfaction research. The teams have done this at 101 Collins Street, Melbourne for AXA IM and George Place in Sydney for ISPT, among many others. Get in touch if you’d like help creating your next workspace offering.

About Brickfields

Brickfields Consulting specialises in market research designed specifically for the property sector.?For over a decade, we have been translating customer insights into?evidence-based strategies empowering our clients to deliver successful places.

About Hundredweight

Hundredweight is a brand consultancy with specialist expertise in property. They combine strategic rigour with carefully crafted design to create brands and communications with meaning and purpose.