ARCHITECTURE
words by ERIK LINEBARGER, EMILY PAYNE, PETER SLOAN
Celebrating Culture and Brand in the Workplace. In today’s evolving office, many companies will need to manage a blended workforce of remote and on-site staff. Even before COVID-19, companies were beginning to offer employees more flexibility in how and where they work. The pandemic only has turbocharged the trend – the future of work is here. Most organizations we’re talking to report that, even after it’s safe to bring their people back into the office, some will continue working remotely at least one day a week. They will need to manage employees occupying an entire ecosystem of spaces including traditional office hubs, homes, and spokes like coworking centers. The challenge for company leaders will be to sustain their culture and brand across every part of this hybrid workplace while empowering their people with the options they need to succeed. The good news is that the pandemic has demonstrated that culture isn’t tied to a specific place. It’s more of a mindset that, when nurtured, enables employees to bring to life their company’s brand in their interactions with coworkers, clients, and customers.
IN THE OFFICE In the last 18 months, employee expectations have changed, work processes have evolved and the purpose of the physical office has transformed. Most companies want to ensure that people will not be returning to the same spaces they vacated. In addition to the expected changes related to accommodating physical distancing (fewer workstations and more open spaces) and instituting new health protocols to prevent infections, it’s now essential to offer people access to experiences and tools they simply can’t get while working remotely. Company executives want to give people reasons to want to be in the office – and choices about how to work when they are there. The ability to once again interact in person with colleagues and clients is one obvious benefit. As effectively (and remarkably) as people been able to work from home, there is still great value in face-to-face collaboration. We’ve all missed the creativity and collaboration that comes from casual encounters and coffee pot discussions. The pandemic forced us to adjust to regular video calls in lieu of the audio-only calls of 2019. In turn, single-camera conference rooms and predominantly open-office layouts aren’t conducive to the way we now meet. Technology and space planning strategies will have to adjust accordingly. In addition to well-planned meeting and private work spaces, companies can entice people with branded environments like social spaces, cafes, high-tech conference rooms,
FALL 2021 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 13
