1. WORK IS NOT A PLACE:
MetroCon CEU Presentation
August 14, 2014
Challenging Conventions of the Physical Workspace
2. How and Why
PURPOSE: Learn how to challenge what we
consider the norms of work to better understand
the future of the workspace.
PROCESS: Select video review followed by
interactive conversation regarding work, space
and perception.
PAYOFF: Enhancement of the long term client
relationship through unique perspective and
positioning.
3. The Changing World of Work
• Changes in: technology, behaviors, intergenerational
workers, big data, “collaboration”
• Work does not always need to be location-dependent
• Aside from addressing physical place, work isn't always
dependent on timeframe.
• Selection of the tools we use to complete our work
• Work should be about production and accomplishment
4. Imagine…
How future technology will help people to make better use
of their:
• TIME
• FOCUS their attention
• Strengthen RELATIONSHIPS
While getting things done at:
• WORK
• HOME
• ON the GO
5. Is Telecommuting the Future of Work?
• The telecommuting trend in non-traditional fields
• What is telecommuting?
• Captured by a sense of culture or Cop-out
• The Millenial factor Generation Z
• Smart business decisions
6. Designing to Trend
• Listening versus Hearing
• Observing versus Watching
• Knowing versus Following
• Designing to Trend
7. In Summary
HEALTH & WELLNESS.
Flexible work programs reduce unscheduled absences by
Stress is twice as high for
employees who don’t have
flexible work options.
Average cost per employee per
year in unscheduled absences
Flex employees enjoy
better physical and
mental well-being
PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIVITY.
work life
Flex employees are
more likely to go the
for their employers
with the
harmony in their lives because
of mobile work style options.
ATTRACTING & RETAINING TALENT.
of flex
employees would likely
leave their jobs if they
lost their ability to work
flexibly.
DOUBLE
THE RATE
of job candidates pick the other
guy because of flexibility.
TIME & MONEY.
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
March 2014
1 2 3 4 5 6
Average free
time gained:
Percentage of
organizations
with mobile
work styles
that have
already taken
cost related
benefits:
On average, employees
save per year.
8. Office Supplies Facility Solutions Business
Interiors by
Staples™
Technology
Solutions
Print
Solutions
Promotional
Products
Staples Advantage
Thank You – Q & A
Editor's Notes
If work is NOT a Place…
What is work?
Where is work done?
Why is work less dependent on place today?
Where will it be next year? In 5 years?
As I worked through the topic for a blog it took control of my thinking about work and has forced me to consider the future of work and what I must do to keep up with these changes.
So I thought the best way to help us on our journey would be to tap into some of the incredible work being done around this topic and began to search for the best thought starter videos I could find.
Next, I had to select the few that could challenge us the most; that would generate some lively dialogue among us and help us better understand what the future of work may look like.
What I intend for us to walk away with is (state the PAYOFF).
In this 1st video segment FORBES Jason Morgan asks us to challenge how we think about work, and the video certainly did so for me – particularly about how work is not always location-dependent. We work in our cars, in our homes, in coffee shops, on planes, and even (brace yourselves) the bathroom.
What is “work?”
We have to look at work from a different perspective. Aside from addressing the physical place, work isn’t always dependent on a given timeframe. We work during meals, vacation (unfortunately), and beyond – there’s a blurred line of when work begins and ends.
Technology leads clients and coworkers to expect an immediate response. The days of 9-5 seem to be over.
If you look up the word “work,” the definition is to produce or accomplish something. Morgan asks why we can’t pick the projects we want to work on, the devices we use, etc. Work should be about production and accomplishment; therefore, workers should be free to do their work in a prescribed timeframe.
Designing to take advantage of technology.
We need to determine how to use productivity tools and technologies to make working safer and more effective.
How do we empower and protect employees from the “work anywhere, anytime” mentality.
Addressing burnout concerns.
There are concerns that this new way of working may lead to employee burnout.
Because technology allows employees to be extremely accessible, employers should encourage them to take vacations away from technology – separate work from recharging time.
If you’re looking at a more traditional workplace, you have to consider how to aid in getting up and walking away to a comfortable, relaxing space.
That’s where workplace design comes in – employees need a place to recharge, so an inviting breakroom is a must.
Additionally, today’s more open workspaces needs to be complemented by private areas that allow for “me” time, versus “we” time.
It’s hard to deny that work is changing, but it’s all about how we challenge what are considered “norms” in order to take our businesses into the future.
Our 2nd video segment is designed to “level set” our thinking about what’s next.
Remember, I said we wanted to challenge the norms of work to create a better understanding of how we are and will work. That PAYOFF – enhancing our client relationships by sharing unique perspectives and positioning is at the corner stone of this first segment.
So let’s watch this video that John Snavely produced for Microsoft.
PLAY VIDEO
Thought Starters:
How many different places did you see where work was done?
What did you see in reference to the integration of work and life in general? What stuck out to you?
A big part of this video had to do with enablement / empowerment via technology. What did you notice?
Talking vs Typing; Intuitive interface w/ gestures; BYOD; Seamless integration of tech platforms
What in this video do you feel has or will have the greatest impact on work?
I apologize for our 3rd video because of the formatting, thank you CBS. By this video segment from the CBS Sunday Morning show is such a great thought starter for us I couldn’t leave it out.
What I particularly like about this video is it’s look at 3 distinct business segments and how they approach the “place” question of working. I urge you to take some notes here because I believe you will want to refer back to some of this thinking later.
00:00 – Dr Shaw of VRAD and his 10 second commute (VS 1 hr)
Tech enabled, Global reach, Quality of life
01:48 – Socialogist Jennifer Glass and what is telecommuting?
24/7 aspects, OT telecommuting, Most likely to be professionals
03:33 – Jet Blue’s 1900 member customer support team
RE savings, Distinct management, Quality of life
05:15 – Zappos.com on-line retailer
NO telecommuting, Funky Culture, Idea wall
90 sq ft per employee VS 150-200 in order to force connections (collaboration)
7:30 – The future and Millenials (Gen Z)
Highly technical, high value on autonomy
Business Issues: VRAD 400 doctors serving 2700 medical facilities (globally) and they are flooded with candidates of the highest quality
Our final video segment is included to help us understand how important it is to listen, observe and apply your situational knowledge to create the right environment that will drive productivity.
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest trend. It seems like there is always a hot item – especially when we think of furniture.
A few years ago it was the MESH CHAIR. Then BENCHING became the rage. And at NEOCON this year it seemed to be all about ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT WORK SURFACES.
Sometimes it’s important to turn away from the latest workplace trend. I think our video will prove this point.
PLAY VIDEO
Thanks to the ONION for that wonderful spoof!
So let’s wrap this up with some of my favorite infographics that focus on the business side of this NEW, FLEXIBLE WORLD OF WORK we are quickly moving toward.
On behalf of my employer, Staples, I want to thank you for joining us today for this CEU and thank you as well for supporting Metorcon!
If there are any questions I happy to take them now or individually after the session.
