THE X FACTOR
Workplace, reimagined
Through this pandemic, we experienced a near total transformation of every element of daily life: work, time with family, social activities, exercise and wellness - among many others. Reflecting this individual metamorphosis, companies and organizations have also gone through a massive evolution, one that is perhaps most represented into the reimagining of the workplace. Companies that build resilience and flexibility into their workplace strategy will future-proof their workplaces against other, similarly disruptive events, all while addressing the shifting needs of their employees. The pandemic’s quick entrance and sustained disruption have greatly amplified this evolution. Many companies hadn’t yet found the secret sauce for integrating multigenerational workplaces or how to embrace digital technologies to replace antiquated legacy systems.
But with the pandemic, these “nice to haves” instantly became “need to haves.” Digital technologies became vital to maintain core business operations, keep the workforce engaged, and ensure employees have the right tools to do their jobs regardless of physical location. This rapid shift, in turn, challenged the individual to navigate new systems and novel approaches to their work and learn how to effectively collaborate while remote. This new reality of how and where we work requires a new definition of workplace, one that is holistic and approaches the workplace as a dynamic ecosystem. Is it the home office? Traditional downtown or suburban office? Offshore? Flex office? Or is it another solution altogether?
Through our work at Avison Young, we believe that the new definition of workplace is expansive, varied, and fluid.
And while many recognized that physical office space was not essential for all business operations, one fundamental necessity that is clear isn’t going anywhere: human connection and social interaction. For that, access to office-type spaces remain fundamental to create the unplanned collisions of people, ideas and innovation. Organizations that can address similar employee needs and preferences will win the war for talent, increase productivity, and reduce employee turnover in their critical markets. This will also serve the individual, creating a net good for all stakeholders.
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