The rise of hybrid work is challenging real estate norms, reshaping workplaces

What if the future of the workplace was less about square footage and more about the quality of the experience??

This intriguing possibility is gaining traction among leaders in the commercial real estate and corporate world. A shift in focus has been prompted, from efficiency metrics to experience metrics.?

The office is no longer just a physical space but a space for experiences that people can be enthusiastic about, and where individuals engage with their organisations in meaningful ways.

More and more companies are recognising the value of Workplace Experience, a concept that's about much more than just ergonomics and interior design. Workplace Experience is about creating an environment that fosters engagement, productivity, and satisfaction.

Global corporations like Swiss Re, MLC Life Insurance, Netflix, MYOB, Coles Group, Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, Qualtrics, Docusign, Sharesies, Deloitte, Macquarie Group, JLL, Unilever, and Xero are leading the way, creating dedicated Workplace Experience roles within their organisations.

When can Workplace Experience truly make a difference? The answer is multi-faceted. Workplace Experience has a role when the workplace is underutilised, when office satisfaction is low or declining, when occupancy has dropped, or when there's a need for a fresh approach.

The workplace is more than bricks and mortar; it's a direct link with engagement via fairness, achievement, and camaraderie - key motivators at work according to Sirota and Klein, 2014. People interpret their experience as part of the organisation's relationship with them, which is why the workplace can evoke such strong emotions.

Facilities Managers play a crucial role in this workplace upgrade - they are part of what you could call the 'Inspiration Squad', the 'Energy Boosters', the 'Momentum Makers'. They are joined by workplace leaders, executives, managers, and change managers, all playing critical roles in shaping the workplace experience.

What does this look like in practice? Workplace Experience is about creating a frictionless, productive, and engaging experience in the office. As JLL points out, "if you want to bring people back into the office, it has to be all about how individual and team needs are being met." It's about understanding that employees are, in essence, consumers of the workplace.?

In this competitive world, employers need to start thinking like retailers, seeking to understand their workplace consumers' needs, wants, and aspirations.

A great workplace experience is a "second-by-second, multi-sensory immersion that supports work tasks, represents the organisation's personality, creates an emotional response and leaves an impression in the employee's brain." (Forbes, 2023)?

So, no pressure.

How can organisations deliver a world-class Workplace Experience?Through a people-centric process and mindset, enabled by Design Thinking practices. Workplace Experience done this way has the potential to manage the risk of ineffective or undesirable workplace interventions. It acknowledges that people are complex, with varying levels of engagement, different distances from work, and diverse work styles and that there is no magic panacea that will get everyone back to the office.?

Creating a fantastic Workplace Experience involves understanding these complexities and designing an environment that caters to different workplace personas. It's not about a one-size-fits-all solution, but a tailored approach that recognises and caters to individual needs and preferences.

As we navigate the future of work, it's clear that the focus must shift from mere efficiency to experience. This involves more than just a change in metrics; it's a change in perspective, a shift from seeing the workplace as a physical space to viewing it as an environment that shapes and is shaped by the people who inhabit it.

Workplaces are more than just places where work happens; they are the stages upon which our stories unfold, the arenas where we engage with our work and each other in meaningful ways. We can make those experiences count.?

On the Workplace Makers Podcast: The mechanics of designing for neurodiversity with Michelle Kershaw, Culture Lead at Kiwibank

Is it possible to support neurodiverse people successfully in the workplace??

I spoke with Michelle Kershaw, neurodiverse and independent consultant and Culture Lead at Kiwibank, about what it's like to be neurodiverse.

We talked about how workplaces can do better at making the workplace an attractive proposition for anyone neurodiverse, given 10% of the workforce is neurodiverse.

In my experience, managing for the 'edges' takes care of a lot of use cases for the 'mainstream' or the 'middle', and ultimately results in a much happier cohort of building occupants. So it was a great treat to delve into Michelle's perspective and learn from her insights.?

Michelle and I discussed?the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals in the workplace, including issues with noise and distractions. We talked about how flexible workspaces and quiet areas can benefit everyone, not just those who are neurodiverse.?

Michelle suggested the use of individual booths and soundproof seating areas as well as lockers.??

We discussed people and culture strategies and Michelle's?collaboration with Remarkable Minds and CCS Corporation to create an effective way for people to communicate using image cards.?

Any organisation that supports visual learning, rather than '300 page manuals' is miles ahead in attracting and retaining these star players, who bring their own incredible superpowers.?

- Nina

About the Workplace Makers Podcast host Nina Fountain

Nina Fountain is a prominent Workplace Strategy and Change Consultant with a decade of experience in developing flexible workplaces in Australia and New Zealand. Her pioneering work in Australia significantly increased remote working numbers, with her advice on flexible work systems being adopted by both the Australian and New Zealand governments.

Nina founded The Workspace Connection to help employers reduce the risk of their workplace redesign and change.?Consulting with businesses like VISA, AIA, MinterEllisonRuddWatts and the Ministry of Health, Nina improves workplace outcomes. She guides senior leadership teams through critical workspace decisions, working in partnership with design teams.

The Workspace Connection's Emergent change approach significantly boosts wellbeing and job satisfaction while optimising workspace.

As a leading thinker on flexible workplaces Nina has made numerous media appearances including New Zealand’s The AM Show. Nina hosts the Workplace Makers podcast.

About The Workspace Connection

The Workspace Connection is a specialist Workplace Strategy and Change consultancy led by modern workplace expert Nina Fountain. We work with senior leaders who want future-fit workplaces to frame up workspaces that are clever about their business and deliver on their people goals.

The Workplace Makers podcast: https://theworkspaceconnection.com/podcast/?

The Workspace Connection: www.theworkspaceconnection.com

Nina Fountain on LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/ninafountain/

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