Is Your Office Truly Performing? A Glimpse from Amsterdam
Introduction
As I sit in a modern hotel in the bustling Zuidas district of Amsterdam, attending a Workspace design conference, I can't help but ponder the state of today's office spaces. The Zuidas is an up-and-coming area in Amsterdam, with significant investments in infrastructure, sustainable development, facilities, and green spaces. It boasts excellent transport links and proximity to the city centre. However, what caught my attention this morning was the high-rise office buildings surrounding my hotel, particularly one 15-story building with a café at the top. To my surprise, I counted only five workers scattered across different floors, each working in solitude. This observation prompted me to reflect on the challenges Organisations face in creating energetic, productive, and well-designed workplaces.
The Dilemma
The scene I witnessed reflects a broader issue – the underutilization of office spaces. Many corporate Organisations invest heavily in leasing, rent, energy, and facilities for expansive office spaces across an international footprint, but the returns on these investments are often far from optimal. This raises several questions:
1. How much are big corporations spending on office spaces, and is it justified?
2. What is the impact on employee engagement and company culture when offices remain mostly vacant?
3. How does an empty office building affect retention, attraction, and overall productivity?
While remote working has its benefits, it doesn't necessarily foster a strong company culture. An entirely empty office building does even less. Striking the right balance is crucial.
A Glimpse of Positive Change
I recently attended a Corenet Benelux event at POST NL in The Hague, where they showcased their transformation of a listed building into the greenest listed building in the Netherlands. The redesigned space offers ample opportunities for various activities, from focused work to town hall meetings and collaboration. Notably, they've incorporated features like stairs throughout the floor to encourage casual collisions, enhancing employee well-being through biophilic design and abundant natural light. They're also pursuing the prestigious platinum WELL accreditation, a testament to their commitment to an exceptional employee experience.
POST NL shared that their space utilization is now around 50%, actually no different from pre-COVID times. However, the space's well-thought-out design allows for fewer work settings while promoting a richer workplace experience.
A Call to Action
Corporate leaders, especially CEOs and CFOs, must scrutinize their real estate strategies. It's time to invest in creating spaces that inspire and engage employees. This may require the courage to reduce office footprints and rethink workspace settings. Quiet, focused work can increasingly be done from home, while the office should evolve into a hub for collaboration, innovation, and connection.
Location and location flexibility are also vital considerations. Offering employees choice and opportunities to connect with their colleagues across different work settings and locations is critical for fostering a vibrant corporate culture.
Conclusion
The empty office building I observed across the road in Amsterdam serves as a poignant reminder that the workplace landscape has changed. To succeed in the next 5 to 10 years and beyond, Organisations must adapt their real estate strategies to create inviting, innovative, and flexible office spaces. It's time for CEOs and CFOs to be brave, reduce unnecessary footprints, and prioritize employee experience. The future of work is continuously evolving, and those who adapt proactively will reap the benefits of a more engaged, productive, and satisfied workforce.
If you're ready for a conversation about optimizing your office spaces, let's connect and explore the possibilities together.