Last week in Chicago, cre.tech and MetaProp NYC presented a CRE.tech LIVE seminar about “Innovative and Productive Workplaces.” Hosted by JLL, the coffee-fueled event brought together some of the brightest workplace strategy experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with today’s rapidly changing office technology.
Ed Nolan, JLL’s Managing Director of Workplace Strategy talked about how different disciplines are coming together to build the office of the future: “CRE leaders are being challenged to work with their HR and IT colleagues to figure out how to deliver the best experiences in the most efficient way.” And JLL should know, having recently completed a successful overhaul of its own corporate headquarters while documenting the process.
Flexible workplace
A recurring theme was how employees of all ages are being challenged to collaborate to create dynamic workplaces. Matt Abeles, Co-founder of BuiltWorlds Media said: “For the first time in our life we have four generations working together and the youngest generation is less concerned with money and more concerned with having empowerment, having a better work environment, and having a better work-life balance.”
Many of the speakers noted a decline in the trend of open office space including CBRE’s Brad Serot. “A lot of founders believe that if they create the environment — open bench seating and collaborative rooms — that they’ve done the work and that they can check the box. But it’s psychology and changing behavior that far outweighs just the environment that you’re in.” Brad explained that in his own office environment he is being offered multiple workspace options from remote workspace, to cafe space, to open space, to private space.
Gensler’s Nila R. Leiserowitz, added, “One reason I think Brad’s comfortable with the shift is that the company shows that they respect him and that he has choice where he wants to work. Choice shows respect and trust and helps retain talent. Through technology, choice and the right environment, employees can do their best and drive innovation and success for the company.”