The Workspace Revolution is Coming

15 Mar 2018 CW Staff

In recent years, disruptive forces have transformed how we think about entire industries. Spotify with music. Uber or Lyft with transport. Netflix with television programmes and films. Technology has changed the way that we think about things that we used to take for granted. The way in which we think about offices, and how we work, and productivity, is changing too. We are now approaching a tipping point – and the results of this will transform the working experience for millions of people. For smart businesses, this is a revolution that will create competitive advantage, cut costs and help attract and retain talent. What has got us to this point? First, the rapid acceleration of technology has changed what’s possible.

Put simply, it’s now increasingly easy for a person to plug in and work from anywhere. Second, workers are aware of this – particularly those digital native millennials who have grown up with this technology and whose expectations are less shackled by what was possible before. Third, businesses are increasingly aware of this and they know that a smart strategy on flexible working can help them to secure the best talent. That’s an advantage in a competitive world. But what businesses also increasingly understand are the financial and strategic advantages a flexible workspace strategy brings. A flexible workspace approach cuts real estate costs and allows businesses to concentrate on their core business. With the right partner, this workspace revolution will bring benefits to smart businesses of all sizes. For start-ups the benefits are immediate.

An entrepreneur wants to focus on growing their business, not spending time and money on real estate leases. But they can’t compromise on those things that are expected of every professional business – best-in-class IT, security, telecommunications capabilities. Even as a fledgling business they want to have a base where they can bring employees, potential customers and partners for meetings without letting down their brand. The benefits to larger businesses are also now increasingly recognised – and in fact many of the world’s most innovative business success stories have a dedicated flexible workspace strategy. Of course, large corporations have a requirement for a large, dedicated HQ, but by complementing this with a flexible workspace partner they can drive real benefits to their business. A business can move people into a new market quickly and take them out again when required.

They can put their people close to their suppliers. They can do all of this without committing to long leases and expensive relocation costs. Employee wellbeing and personal satisfaction will increase too. A ‘one-size fits all’ approach wouldn’t work for any aspect of a successful large business. For too long, however, this is exactly the approach most businesses have taken for their offices. This has happened because most people didn’t see any alternative. Just as a decade ago there was no alternative to CDs. Then Spotify came along. The workspace revolution is coming. Smart businesses are planning for it now.

In recent years, disruptive forces have transformed how we think about entire industries. Spotify with music. Uber or Lyft with transport. Netflix with television programmes and films. Technology has changed the way that we think about things that we used to take for granted. The way in which we think about offices, and how we work, and productivity, is changing too. We are now approaching a tipping point – and the results of this will transform the working experience for millions of people. For smart businesses, this is a revolution that will create competitive advantage, cut costs and help attract and retain talent. What has got us to this point? First, the rapid acceleration of technology has changed what’s possible. Put simply, it’s now increasingly easy for a person to plug in and work from anywhere. Second, workers are aware of this – particularly those digital native millennials who have grown up with this technology and whose expectations are less shackled by what was possible before. Third, businesses are increasingly aware of this and they know that a smart strategy on flexible working can help them to secure the best talent. That’s an advantage in a competitive world. But what businesses also increasingly understand are the financial and strategic advantages a flexible workspace strategy brings. A flexible workspace approach cuts real estate costs and allows businesses to concentrate on their core business. With the right partner, this workspace revolution will bring benefits to smart businesses of all sizes. For start-ups the benefits are immediate. An entrepreneur wants to focus on growing their business, not spending time and money on real estate leases. But they can’t compromise on those things that are expected of every professional business – best-in-class IT, security, telecommunications capabilities. Even as a fledgling business they want to have a base where they can bring employees, potential customers and partners for meetings without letting down their brand. The benefits to larger businesses are also now increasingly recognised – and in fact many of the world’s most innovative business success stories have a dedicated flexible workspace strategy. Of course, large corporations have a requirement for a large, dedicated HQ, but by complementing this with a flexible workspace partner they can drive real benefits to their business. A business can move people into a new market quickly and take them out again when required. They can put their people close to their suppliers. They can do all of this without committing to long leases and expensive relocation costs. Employee wellbeing and personal satisfaction will increase too. A ‘one-size fits all’ approach wouldn’t work for any aspect of a successful large business. For too long, however, this is exactly the approach most businesses have taken for their offices. This has happened because most people didn’t see any alternative. Just as a decade ago there was no alternative to CDs. Then Spotify came along. The workspace revolution is coming. Smart businesses are planning for it now.