WORKTECH Academy

Differences are narrowing as the global workforce faces up to common challenges, says author Julia Hobsbawm in her new book,’ Working Assumptions’. But in creating a uniform agenda, are we in danger of encouraging groupthink?   Julia Hobsbawm talks of ‘the United State of Work’ in which ‘the global workforce is more united than at any point in its history. Common challenges render differences narrower than at any point in the last century.’  When WORKTECH Academy surveyed the state of office real estate in six world cities for our Q1 2024 Trend Report for members, we discovered that the things New York, London, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Sydney, and Tokyo had in common were greater than the factors that made them different. But should this narrowing of workplace differences be a cause for celebration or a cause for concern? Julia Hobsbawm will be speaking at the WORKTECH New York conference on 7 October 2024. 📖Read the full WORKTECH Academy article here: https://lnkd.in/gUHaRyQA

Joseph Joseph Ltd and Modus Workspace have collaborated on a new project to reinvigorate the office space of Joseph Joseph, where aesthetics and functionality meet to accommodate the brands' dynamic workforce. The blending together of chic furniture and natural tones, alongside the functionality of an innovative and modern brand adapts to the changing office dynamic. The updated modern design of the workspace concentrates on functionality and flexibility whilst keeping the main focus on sustainability and promoting a closer connection to the natural environment. 🍃Read the full article and case study here: https://lnkd.in/emX3SDTz

Check out our latest 'Director's Cut' article where Jeremy Myerson takes us on a tour of the six biggest complaints about the office - and how to fix them. Taken from our latest member-exclusive trend report, 'Taking aim at the office' which explores six common criticisms of the office – that it is uncoordinated, exclusionary, unhealthy, dysfunctional, uncomfortable, and unstimulating – and proposes solutions to each charge.

A huge congratulations to our Head of Research and Editorial Kasia Maynard who was featured among the Workplace Leaders Top 50 for her contribution to thought leadership! A celebratory Workplace Leaders Top 50 event was held last week, where conversations about the future of sustainability, culture, data, and design in our workplaces were high on the agenda! Well done Kasia Maynard, thoroughly deserved!⭐

On Thursday, 4th July WORKTECH Academy, in collaboration with Cisco, hosted an exclusive knowledge-sharing roundtable and lunch event for a selection of senior CRE, technology, and HR professionals in Sydney, Australia.   The day began with a tour of the Cisco Sydney HQ. It was followed by a peer-to-peer roundtable, expertly facilitated by frequent WORKTECH Academy collaborator, Dr. Agustin Chevez. The interactive roundtable discussion focused on the role of workplace data, ESG goals, and the impact of AI on the built environment. It was followed by lunch at a local restaurant where the group continued their conversations.   The roundtable discussion will also inform a thought leadership white paper that will be shared with all participants. Thank you to Cisco and WORKTECH Events for organising and hosting the roundtable and to all the esteemed participants including:   Dara Maginnis, Toyota Motor Corporation Zahra N. Allens Amrita Vilkhu, CBRE Zac Carmont, NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Peter Simpson, Standard Chartered Claire Smith, JLL Sam Mckibbin, Cisco We look forward to facilitating more interesting and engaging conversations in the future!  _______________________ About WORKTECH Academy: WORKTECH Academy is a world-leading membership club and intelligence platform exploring the future of work. We give you and your organisation access to best-in-class research, trends, market intelligence, and data to help you make informed workplace decisions. We also provide a comprehensive programme of workshops and briefings to connect with a global community of senior-level workplace professionals for peer-to-peer learning.

WORKTECH Academy has recently launched the WORKTECH Technology Guides 2024, in collaboration with UnWork. These are the ultimate ‘Who’s Who’ in workplace technology, showcasing a selection of best-in-class vendors across five areas of the smart workplace - Workplace Apps, Booking Systems, Visitor Management, Workplace Sensors, and Experience Tech. The WORKTECH Guide to Experience Technology, produced in collaboration with UnWork, presents a range of innovative technologies from vendors which specifically address the challenge of improving the workplace experience in novel and distinctive ways. The WORKTECH Guide to Experience Technology explores the key features and benefits of each technology solution, providing a detailed description of the company and its credentials. The WORKTECH Technology Guides are an exclusive benefit for WORKTECH Academy Members. Find out more about becoming a corporate member by getting in touch at info@worktechacademy.com. #futureofwork #technology

📌Japanese survey reveals motivated workers’ new perceptions and expectations of the workplace According to a study of 2,000 employees conducted in Tokyo, workers’ stress levels, self-improvement, and expectations of the office vary based on whether they feel they are contributing to their company and society, and whether or not they aspire to do so in the future. The survey, conducted by Tokyo-based consulting firm Frontier Consulting, investigates how workers with ‘ikigai’ – a Japanese concept based on how satisfied and motivated employees feel – perceive their work environment. 📖See the results of the survey here: https://lnkd.in/eYrYXbyr #futureofwork

📌Pioneering a culture of radical change: a new approach for the legal workplace In a new episode of the UnWorking podcast, UnWork advisor and former DLA Piper consultant Cornelius Medvei is in conversation with Simon Levine, the global co-CEO and managing partner at DLA Piper. The conversation centres around how the law firm’s commitment to innovation by embracing a culture of ‘radical change’, and the launch of its disruptive legal, tech and business advisory solution, ‘Law&’. 📖Read the WORKTECH Academy recap here: https://lnkd.in/eZXQb-GB 🎧Listen to the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/edw9Epra #futureofwork

💡Culture playbook: people-centred practices driving an office return As the pendulum swings back to in-office working, what are the people-centred policies and incentives that are achieving success? A new report from MRI Software sets out some key strategies. As employers fret over which hybrid working model to adopt for the longer term, and real estate professionals fret over forecasts showing a severe contraction in demand for office space, it is all too easy to forget that many companies around the world are now successfully moving the dial on bringing people back to the office. That’s the key message from a new report by technology company MRI Software in partnership with WORKTECH Academy, which highlights the people-centred practices and positive experiences that organisations are using to entice people back to the office rather than issuing a strict mandate. Termed a ‘culture playbook for the future workplace’, the paper explores nine different people strategies that are gaining traction and identifies those employers who are daring to do things differently. 💡Join the MRI Software webinar, taking place July 2nd at 9am ET, which will explore the report findings and discuss innovative strategies to create a welcoming and productive workplace: https://lnkd.in/edgXNkUX 💡Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/eT3RPD9U

Last week we were lucky enough to have several experts in the WORKTECH Academy community speak at our second Trend Report briefing of 2024. Our latest Trend Report - Taking Aim at the Office - sets out common criticisms that employees voice about the workplace, and examines innovative ways to address them. In our first session of the day, we were joined by workplace strategist Sonya Simmonds as well as Stephen Fountain, CCMP of MovePlan as we discussed the charge sheet against the office. In our second session, we heard from Linzi Cassels of Perkins&Will, Naomi Sakamoto, AIA of Gensler and Tom De Fruytier of Signify. Thank you to our experts (and to everyone who attended!) for your brilliant insights! #futureofwork