Cresa Connection

An Alternative Approach

Alternative workplace strategies is the theme of this edition of Connection in which we illustrate ways in which companies are doing more with less space to help save on the bottom line.

Our lead story focuses on integrating mobility into the workplace, looking at what kinds of companies are—and are not—embracing mobility and where this trend is heading in the future. We also discuss a recent initiative that Cresa is sponsoring with architecture firm HOK to complete the World's Largest Workplace Survey, with input from employees across industries and across the globe on various workplace issues.

In Strategies that Save, we review specific steps companies can take to implement a new workplace plan to help increase productivity and reduce expenses. We also highlight our international partner Savills' work developing a workspace of the future for The Peabody Trust, a British charity.

As always, we encourage tenants to study the markets and consider their long-term plans. To learn more about alternative workplace strategies, check out our blog posts and articles at cresa.com.

Bill Goade
Chief Executive Officer
Cresa

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Mobility was a hot topic in workplace discussions in 2011. With the economy showing only anemic growth at best, companies are still looking to do more with less, and that includes less office space. With a younger generation of workers comfortable working outside of the traditional office environment, enabling a mobile workforce can help reduce the office footprint, therefore reducing costs. But will it work in your company? As consultants that deal with companies trying to decipher their position on mobility in the workplace, we have been surprised by which organizations have embraced mobility. We expected that Fortune 100 companies would lead the way, but in the mobility arena, they are generally the laggards. A surprising innovator is the General Services Administration (GSA), the real estate arm of the Federal Government. Obviously constrained for budget resources, the GSA has invested in research to define alternative ways of working and have made it a centerpiece in all space acquisitions and refurbishments. What is truly surprising—and ironic—is that many technology companies have yet to embrace mobility, even though it is their technology which enables the trend. > Read the full article

Sit Down and Be Counted

As part of our focus on tenant's issues, Cresa is a leader in implementing new ways of working and new trends in workspace. As part of this ongoing initiative, Cresa is sponsoring architecture firm HOK's World's Largest Workplace Survey, a global initiative that will be the authoritative source of information on work environment.

This unprecedented study explores how work is evolving across the globe. As the number of participants grows, results from this survey will be posted on The World's Largest Workplace Survey Facebook page so you can see how your workplace differs from others across the planet.

> Read the full article

Savills Delivers Workspace of the Future for London Charity

What makes a workplace of the future? Is it cutting edge design and interior decorating choices or is

it about analyzing how people work within the space? Savills, which is Cresa's global partner in real estate, believes that while fit-out and design is important, it can't be successful without determining how the building flexes and grows with the organization within it. The proposed London headquarters for British housing charity The Peabody Trust demonstrates how the team can deliver a building that boasts a 20% improvement in overall efficiency.

> Read the full article

The goal of workplace strategy programs is to increase productivity and reduce real estate expenses at the same time. This goal can be met by following some simple steps. Remember that paramount to any plan is support and enforcement from the highest level in the C-suite. Start small – do a pilot test and then make improvements. Be realistic about setting the right expectations.

1. Understand what you have today. What do employees like about their current environment, and what do they not like? Monitor how the workplace is used on a daily basis, looking at activity during different days of the week, times of the day, and days of the month. Start with a general survey to ask the right questions. Then set up one-on-one interviews in person or by phone. Make sure to interview individuals from all disciplines, business units, and grades.

> Read the full article

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