Workplace Transformation and Joined Up Thinking

During our panel discussion, we heard from four organizations — of different sizes and approaches — as they discussed the implementation of their workplace strategies, along with the successes, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. For each of the panelists, the project involved re-thinking the workplace, with the goal of bringing teams together, increasing collaboration, and creating a workplace that supports future growth. This presented an opportunity to better align people, space, and technology.

Early in the session, we surveyed the audience and saw a clear consensus: the biggest barrier to a successful workplace project is a lack of aligned leadership vision. Without a clear vision from the outset — and buy-in from all levels of leadership — the project risks stalling. And yet, executive leadership is often the hardest group to bring on board. Why is that? 

Common Pain Points

Our panellists explored how their organizations approached transformation, the steps taken to secure alignment, and how those efforts influenced success. From the beginning, it was clear that a one-size-fits-all approach didn’t apply.

Key challenges brought forward by the panel and audience included: 

• Long lead times in planning and implementation — further disrupted by the pandemic, which forced a reimagination of plans.

• Resistance to change from both employees and leadership — not only in terms of physical workspace, but also policies and procedures.

• The significant time investment required to map the employee experience journey and understand how people interact with the space.

• The need for continuous testing, learning, and adapting — ensuring that the space works as intended, the technology delivers the right data and functionality, and the policies are achieving desired outcomes. Each of these three areas will have a significant impact on employee engagement levels.

For more information, download the full insight report to explore how leaders align on their business objectives and share knowledge internally, moving workplace transformation projects forward with efficiency and success.