[Music] I’m Larissa and I’m Aaron and I’m an
I’m Larissa and I’m Aaron and I’m an
I’m Larissa and I’m Aaron and I’m an architect but I spent the last twenty
architect but I spent the last twenty
architect but I spent the last twenty years of my life dedicated to designing
years of my life dedicated to designing
years of my life dedicated to designing workplaces so today we’re going to talk
workplaces so today we’re going to talk
workplaces so today we’re going to talk about whether or not trendy offices
about whether or not trendy offices
about whether or not trendy offices really are great places to work and as
really are great places to work and as
really are great places to work and as we mentioned I’ve spent 15 years working
we mentioned I’ve spent 15 years working
we mentioned I’ve spent 15 years working in human resources but my primary area
in human resources but my primary area
in human resources but my primary area was in really helping people understand
was in really helping people understand
was in really helping people understand how to attract retain and develop the
how to attract retain and develop the
how to attract retain and develop the best talent the design of workplaces is
best talent the design of workplaces is
best talent the design of workplaces is becoming an ever-greater factor in the
becoming an ever-greater factor in the
becoming an ever-greater factor in the consideration of people in terms of why
consideration of people in terms of why
consideration of people in terms of why they might join a company or leave a
they might join a company or leave a
they might join a company or leave a company and it’s not just a
company and it’s not just a
company and it’s not just a consideration in terms of why people
consideration in terms of why people
consideration in terms of why people might join or leave a company but it’s
might join or leave a company but it’s
might join or leave a company but it’s also become a trendy discussion topic
also become a trendy discussion topic
also become a trendy discussion topic and a lot of people now discuss this and
and a lot of people now discuss this and
and a lot of people now discuss this and it’s regularly featured in standard
it’s regularly featured in standard
it’s regularly featured in standard broadsheet newspapers magazines and
broadsheet newspapers magazines and
broadsheet newspapers magazines and there are lots of articles online about
there are lots of articles online about
there are lots of articles online about where is the best place to work what’s
where is the best place to work what’s
where is the best place to work what’s the coolest office etc exactly and along
the coolest office etc exactly and along
the coolest office etc exactly and along with design one of the other things that
with design one of the other things that
with design one of the other things that were really seeing is that there is a
were really seeing is that there is a
were really seeing is that there is a movement in the way that workplaces are
movement in the way that workplaces are
movement in the way that workplaces are being defined and so what people used to
being defined and so what people used to
being defined and so what people used to really care about when they were
really care about when they were
really care about when they were applying for jobs for things like salary
applying for jobs for things like salary
applying for jobs for things like salary and benefits but today those really
and benefits but today those really
and benefits but today those really aren’t at the forefront of applicants
aren’t at the forefront of applicants
aren’t at the forefront of applicants Minds instead they’re considering things
Minds instead they’re considering things
Minds instead they’re considering things like will I find a work spouse here will
like will I find a work spouse here will
like will I find a work spouse here will I be able to really engage with this
I be able to really engage with this
I be able to really engage with this community and is the business that I’m
community and is the business that I’m
community and is the business that I’m working in a place that’s actually going
working in a place that’s actually going
working in a place that’s actually going to give back to the community that I’m
to give back to the community that I’m
to give back to the community that I’m in so as Larissa and I were talking
in so as Larissa and I were talking
in so as Larissa and I were talking about this topic I think that the place
about this topic I think that the place
about this topic I think that the place where we really felt like it was
where we really felt like it was
where we really felt like it was important to start was to understand
important to start was to understand
important to start was to understand kind of the soul of the business because
kind of the soul of the business because
kind of the soul of the business because that’s where it all begins and for us
that’s where it all begins and for us
that’s where it all begins and for us that’s company culture and so when we
that’s company culture and so when we
that’s company culture and so when we think about defining company culture we
think about defining company culture we
think about defining company culture we quite simply think that it’s actually
quite simply think that it’s actually
quite simply think that it’s actually the personality of an organization and
the personality of an organization and
the personality of an organization and so a personality of an organization is
so a personality of an organization is
so a personality of an organization is actually not really developed from the
actually not really developed from the
actually not really developed from the top down it comes from everyone that’s
top down it comes from everyone that’s
top down it comes from everyone that’s in the company so each person that comes
in the company so each person that comes
in the company so each person that comes in or leaves the organization can
in or leaves the organization can
in or leaves the organization can actually change that culture a little
actually change that culture a little
actually change that culture a little so as we think about some of the things
so as we think about some of the things
so as we think about some of the things that really make a great place to work
that really make a great place to work
that really make a great place to work one of the first things that we think
one of the first things that we think
one of the first things that we think about is community so people want to be
about is community so people want to be
about is community so people want to be able to go into an office space where
able to go into an office space where
able to go into an office space where they feel like they’re able to work with
they feel like they’re able to work with
they feel like they’re able to work with people and that the people that they’re
people and that the people that they’re
people and that the people that they’re working alongside with are carrying
working alongside with are carrying
working alongside with are carrying weight the way that they are that
weight the way that they are that
weight the way that they are that they’re is engaged as they are and that
they’re is engaged as they are and that
they’re is engaged as they are and that they’re all making a difference together
they’re all making a difference together
they’re all making a difference together now this can actually be something that
now this can actually be something that
now this can actually be something that is a little bit difficult to maintain
is a little bit difficult to maintain
is a little bit difficult to maintain but there’s an organization that does an
but there’s an organization that does an
but there’s an organization that does an excellent job of this
excellent job of this
excellent job of this so Zappos which is a subsidiary of
so Zappos which is a subsidiary of
so Zappos which is a subsidiary of Amazon actually has a really unique
Amazon actually has a really unique
Amazon actually has a really unique policy called the pay to quit policy so
policy called the pay to quit policy so
policy called the pay to quit policy so once a year they’ll actually pull their
once a year they’ll actually pull their
once a year they’ll actually pull their employees and they’ll make them consider
employees and they’ll make them consider
employees and they’ll make them consider their level of engagement and there’s
their level of engagement and there’s
their level of engagement and there’s their level of positivity towards the
their level of positivity towards the
their level of positivity towards the organization and if upon that
organization and if upon that
organization and if upon that self-evaluation an employee finds that
self-evaluation an employee finds that
self-evaluation an employee finds that they really aren’t engaged anymore
they really aren’t engaged anymore
they really aren’t engaged anymore they’ll actually pay the people to leave
they’ll actually pay the people to leave
they’ll actually pay the people to leave the company now it might sound a little
the company now it might sound a little
the company now it might sound a little bit crazy but when they’ve done the
bit crazy but when they’ve done the
bit crazy but when they’ve done the research and they’ve thought about the
research and they’ve thought about the
research and they’ve thought about the detrimental impact of disengagement and
detrimental impact of disengagement and
detrimental impact of disengagement and lack of positivity that happens to the
lack of positivity that happens to the
lack of positivity that happens to the overall organization they feel like it’s
overall organization they feel like it’s
overall organization they feel like it’s something that’s very much worthwhile
something that’s very much worthwhile
something that’s very much worthwhile the next one is trusted leadership so I
the next one is trusted leadership so I
the next one is trusted leadership so I think that as humans it’s really
think that as humans it’s really
think that as humans it’s really important for us all to understand where
important for us all to understand where
important for us all to understand where we’re going and why it’s exactly the
we’re going and why it’s exactly the
we’re going and why it’s exactly the same in an organization you have to be
same in an organization you have to be
same in an organization you have to be able to set the vision for the company
able to set the vision for the company
able to set the vision for the company and then make sure that people
and then make sure that people
and then make sure that people understand where you’re going so having
understand where you’re going so having
understand where you’re going so having an exciting destination for employees
an exciting destination for employees
an exciting destination for employees and then a really well thought through
and then a really well thought through
and then a really well thought through road map are very key things in order to
road map are very key things in order to
road map are very key things in order to keep people engaged what’s even better
keep people engaged what’s even better
keep people engaged what’s even better is if you can do an excellent job of
is if you can do an excellent job of
is if you can do an excellent job of communicating that to your employees I
communicating that to your employees I
communicating that to your employees I think it’s also important from a
think it’s also important from a
think it’s also important from a leadership perspective because the
leadership perspective because the
leadership perspective because the leaders are essentially the people who
leaders are essentially the people who
leaders are essentially the people who will sign off on the procurement or the
will sign off on the procurement or the
will sign off on the procurement or the construction of the workplace and
construction of the workplace and
construction of the workplace and therefore employees have to trust their
therefore employees have to trust their
therefore employees have to trust their leaders to build them an environment
leaders to build them an environment
leaders to build them an environment that is good for them for eight to ten
that is good for them for eight to ten
that is good for them for eight to ten to twelve hours a day so then what
to twelve hours a day so then what
to twelve hours a day so then what really rounds out a company culture is
really rounds out a company culture is
really rounds out a company culture is opportunity so opportunities for
opportunity so opportunities for
opportunity so opportunities for individuals to be
individuals to be
individuals to be able to really grow within the
able to really grow within the
able to really grow within the organization people are very concerned
organization people are very concerned
organization people are very concerned with professional development these days
with professional development these days
with professional development these days so making sure that employees know that
so making sure that employees know that
so making sure that employees know that we’ve got the roadmap for the
we’ve got the roadmap for the
we’ve got the roadmap for the organization and I know how I play into
organization and I know how I play into
organization and I know how I play into that and how I can continue to grow as
that and how I can continue to grow as
that and how I can continue to grow as an individual our importance one of my
an individual our importance one of my
an individual our importance one of my former clients is Estee Lauder companies
former clients is Estee Lauder companies
former clients is Estee Lauder companies and they have a really unique way of
and they have a really unique way of
and they have a really unique way of doing this it’s a huge global
doing this it’s a huge global
doing this it’s a huge global organization with people that are all
organization with people that are all
organization with people that are all different levels right so you have like
different levels right so you have like
different levels right so you have like the beauty advisers that are working at
the beauty advisers that are working at
the beauty advisers that are working at the Clinique counter and then you have
the Clinique counter and then you have
the Clinique counter and then you have trainers that come in from the different
trainers that come in from the different
trainers that come in from the different brands to help them as well as the
brands to help them as well as the
brands to help them as well as the c-suite leaders it was really difficult
c-suite leaders it was really difficult
c-suite leaders it was really difficult for them to find exact ways to develop
for them to find exact ways to develop
for them to find exact ways to develop those people so they implemented a
those people so they implemented a
those people so they implemented a leadership from every chair approach
leadership from every chair approach
leadership from every chair approach meaning that each individual person is
meaning that each individual person is
meaning that each individual person is in charge of their own personal and
in charge of their own personal and
in charge of their own personal and professional development it actually is
professional development it actually is
professional development it actually is very empowering to the employees because
very empowering to the employees because
very empowering to the employees because they know that they can actually set
they know that they can actually set
they know that they can actually set their own roadmap for how they want to
their own roadmap for how they want to
their own roadmap for how they want to grow as individuals and then work with
grow as individuals and then work with
grow as individuals and then work with their leaders to do this so a lot of the
their leaders to do this so a lot of the
their leaders to do this so a lot of the things we talked about are really
things we talked about are really
things we talked about are really important you know we do also consider
important you know we do also consider
important you know we do also consider design importance but one of the things
design importance but one of the things
design importance but one of the things that can happen in an overly designed
that can happen in an overly designed
that can happen in an overly designed place or a place that has such a strong
place or a place that has such a strong
place or a place that has such a strong aesthetic is it can actually be
aesthetic is it can actually be
aesthetic is it can actually be disengaging or disenfranchising to some
disengaging or disenfranchising to some
disengaging or disenfranchising to some people an organization that takes really
people an organization that takes really
people an organization that takes really good notice of this and make sure that
good notice of this and make sure that
good notice of this and make sure that they don’t let that happen
they don’t let that happen
they don’t let that happen is actually the ritz-carlton hotel
is actually the ritz-carlton hotel
is actually the ritz-carlton hotel company so when their founder Horst
company so when their founder Horst
company so when their founder Horst Schultz he established the company he
Schultz he established the company he
Schultz he established the company he wanted to make sure that the ladies and
wanted to make sure that the ladies and
wanted to make sure that the ladies and gentlemen that were working there felt
gentlemen that were working there felt
gentlemen that were working there felt comfortable in these beautiful buildings
comfortable in these beautiful buildings
comfortable in these beautiful buildings he didn’t just want to create gorgeous
he didn’t just want to create gorgeous
he didn’t just want to create gorgeous hotels he wanted to make sure that there
hotels he wanted to make sure that there
hotels he wanted to make sure that there was an amazing service experience for
was an amazing service experience for
was an amazing service experience for the guests that stayed there so he
the guests that stayed there so he
the guests that stayed there so he ensured that the areas that the staff
ensured that the areas that the staff
ensured that the areas that the staff work in were well designed and worked
work in were well designed and worked
work in were well designed and worked well for them and then he also
well for them and then he also
well for them and then he also implemented the mantra of ladies and
implemented the mantra of ladies and
implemented the mantra of ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen
gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen
gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen and what this actually did was it made
and what this actually did was it made
and what this actually did was it made the staff peers with the guests so it
the staff peers with the guests so it
the staff peers with the guests so it enabled them to interact with them on a
enabled them to interact with them on a
enabled them to interact with them on a different level and it also ensured that
different level and it also ensured that
different level and it also ensured that the staff was always comfortable working
the staff was always comfortable working
the staff was always comfortable working in a luxury setting I think this picture
in a luxury setting I think this picture
in a luxury setting I think this picture is a really good example of why a
is a really good example of why a
is a really good example of why a workplace can
workplace can
workplace can we contribute or a culture can
we contribute or a culture can
we contribute or a culture can contribute to a space this is an example
contribute to a space this is an example
contribute to a space this is an example of a digital agency and what’s really
of a digital agency and what’s really
of a digital agency and what’s really really interesting about this is one
really interesting about this is one
really interesting about this is one employee the employees were great the
employee the employees were great the
employee the employees were great the culture was great so when you get that
culture was great so when you get that
culture was great so when you get that right that’s fantastic but they were
right that’s fantastic but they were
right that’s fantastic but they were sick of the environment they worked in
sick of the environment they worked in
sick of the environment they worked in they were tired of the white walls so
they were tired of the white walls so
they were tired of the white walls so one employee took it upon himself to
one employee took it upon himself to
one employee took it upon himself to change this and he in his own personal
change this and he in his own personal
change this and he in his own personal time pixelated superheroes and then
time pixelated superheroes and then
time pixelated superheroes and then asked the company give me some money to
asked the company give me some money to
asked the company give me some money to buy some post-it notes some glue and
buy some post-it notes some glue and
buy some post-it notes some glue and some markers and he encouraged his whole
some markers and he encouraged his whole
some markers and he encouraged his whole team to redecorate the office for me
team to redecorate the office for me
team to redecorate the office for me this is good design this is good
this is good design this is good
this is good design this is good workplace because it brings people
workplace because it brings people
workplace because it brings people together and it brings the environment
together and it brings the environment
together and it brings the environment together to create an environment that
together to create an environment that
together to create an environment that people will be happy in so other than
people will be happy in so other than
people will be happy in so other than this how else can workplace design
this how else can workplace design
this how else can workplace design contribute well workplace design is
contribute well workplace design is
contribute well workplace design is great in terms of how it can contribute
great in terms of how it can contribute
great in terms of how it can contribute to creating a culture as Erin mentioned
to creating a culture as Erin mentioned
to creating a culture as Erin mentioned but what is important that we have to
but what is important that we have to
but what is important that we have to remember who we are because so often I
remember who we are because so often I
remember who we are because so often I work with clients and they come to me
work with clients and they come to me
work with clients and they come to me and they say we’ve just seen this
and they say we’ve just seen this
and they say we’ve just seen this picture of this workplace we want our
picture of this workplace we want our
picture of this workplace we want our workplace to look just like that I think
workplace to look just like that I think
workplace to look just like that I think that’s great but is that you you know if
that’s great but is that you you know if
that’s great but is that you you know if it was a person and you had somebody
it was a person and you had somebody
it was a person and you had somebody come to you as a plastic surgeon saying
come to you as a plastic surgeon saying
come to you as a plastic surgeon saying I want to look just like this supermodel
I want to look just like this supermodel
I want to look just like this supermodel you know would everyone think that was a
you know would everyone think that was a
you know would everyone think that was a little strange just a bit but in the
little strange just a bit but in the
little strange just a bit but in the world of corporate workplace that seems
world of corporate workplace that seems
world of corporate workplace that seems okay you know it and that’s
okay you know it and that’s
okay you know it and that’s unfortunately the reality of things
unfortunately the reality of things
unfortunately the reality of things because people have to go on what they
because people have to go on what they
because people have to go on what they see and it’s a very visually dread thing
see and it’s a very visually dread thing
see and it’s a very visually dread thing piñon what happens is the management
piñon what happens is the management
piñon what happens is the management have these great ideas of who they are
have these great ideas of who they are
have these great ideas of who they are or who they like to be or which other
or who they like to be or which other
or who they like to be or which other company they would like to be but they
company they would like to be but they
company they would like to be but they forget in that who they really are and
forget in that who they really are and
forget in that who they really are and the question I often ask is have you
the question I often ask is have you
the question I often ask is have you asked the employees and the answer is
asked the employees and the answer is
asked the employees and the answer is inevitably why would we do that oh
inevitably why would we do that oh
inevitably why would we do that oh they’ll just give you loads of different
they’ll just give you loads of different
they’ll just give you loads of different answers and make no sense but the
answers and make no sense but the
answers and make no sense but the reality is to create a good workplace it
reality is to create a good workplace it
reality is to create a good workplace it really has to
really has to
really has to of who the people are who the company
of who the people are who the company
of who the people are who the company are who the code what the culture there
are who the code what the culture there
are who the code what the culture there is so what we really need to focus on is
is so what we really need to focus on is
is so what we really need to focus on is what employers really want and the
what employers really want and the
what employers really want and the reality is only 3% of employees want a
reality is only 3% of employees want a
reality is only 3% of employees want a trendy funky office with slides and
trendy funky office with slides and
trendy funky office with slides and other weird features that aren’t really
other weird features that aren’t really
other weird features that aren’t really functional about 12% want some where
functional about 12% want some where
functional about 12% want some where they can go and relax and get this map
they can go and relax and get this map
they can go and relax and get this map if they need to but 38% really care
if they need to but 38% really care
if they need to but 38% really care about the quality of the coffee you know
about the quality of the coffee you know
about the quality of the coffee you know so why are we spending our money and
so why are we spending our money and
so why are we spending our money and what should we be doing the other thing
what should we be doing the other thing
what should we be doing the other thing that I think is really important is
that I think is really important is
that I think is really important is about giving people control so I’m sure
about giving people control so I’m sure
about giving people control so I’m sure you’ve all been in a situation or has
you’ve all been in a situation or has
you’ve all been in a situation or has there any been anybody in the situation
there any been anybody in the situation
there any been anybody in the situation where they have felt out of control and
where they have felt out of control and
where they have felt out of control and it doesn’t feel comfortable does it so I
it doesn’t feel comfortable does it so I
it doesn’t feel comfortable does it so I think it’s very interesting then when we
think it’s very interesting then when we
think it’s very interesting then when we look at workplace why we take more and
look at workplace why we take more and
look at workplace why we take more and more control away from the people that
more control away from the people that
more control away from the people that occupy it as technology evolves we
occupy it as technology evolves we
occupy it as technology evolves we develop new technology to take yet more
develop new technology to take yet more
develop new technology to take yet more control away has anyone in this room or
control away has anyone in this room or
control away has anyone in this room or does anyone in this room work in an
does anyone in this room work in an
does anyone in this room work in an office where they frequently find
office where they frequently find
office where they frequently find themselves too cold oh my gosh a lot of
themselves too cold oh my gosh a lot of
themselves too cold oh my gosh a lot of me and can you change that can you
me and can you change that can you
me and can you change that can you change the temperature can you make it
change the temperature can you make it
change the temperature can you make it better can you make it comfortable for
better can you make it comfortable for
better can you make it comfortable for you do any of you work in an environment
you do any of you work in an environment
you do any of you work in an environment where the lighting is too bright or it’s
where the lighting is too bright or it’s
where the lighting is too bright or it’s too dim can you change that so are we
too dim can you change that so are we
too dim can you change that so are we really creating workplaces that are
really creating workplaces that are
really creating workplaces that are comfortable for people and you know
comfortable for people and you know
comfortable for people and you know people are so much more productive if
people are so much more productive if
people are so much more productive if they’re happy and if they’re comfortable
they’re happy and if they’re comfortable
they’re happy and if they’re comfortable so why are we doing this ultimately to
so why are we doing this ultimately to
so why are we doing this ultimately to create a good workplace that fosters a
create a good workplace that fosters a
create a good workplace that fosters a good culture it needs to be a place
good culture it needs to be a place
good culture it needs to be a place people want to be how many people in
people want to be how many people in
people want to be how many people in this room wake up in the morning I think
this room wake up in the morning I think
this room wake up in the morning I think I can’t wait to get to the office so us
I can’t wait to get to the office so us
I can’t wait to get to the office so us designers are going a bit wrong a couple
designers are going a bit wrong a couple
designers are going a bit wrong a couple of people but yeah I think you know so
of people but yeah I think you know so
of people but yeah I think you know so we need to try harder at this and the
we need to try harder at this and the
we need to try harder at this and the interesting thing is if we don’t as
interesting thing is if we don’t as
interesting thing is if we don’t as designers acknowledge it people will do
designers acknowledge it people will do
designers acknowledge it people will do it for themselves so as a designer once
it for themselves so as a designer once
it for themselves so as a designer once upon a time I
upon a time I
upon a time I really hated people they were a massive
really hated people they were a massive
really hated people they were a massive inconvenience in my world they ruined my
inconvenience in my world they ruined my
inconvenience in my world they ruined my designs wholeheartedly ruin them I would
designs wholeheartedly ruin them I would
designs wholeheartedly ruin them I would make something slick and beautiful in
make something slick and beautiful in
make something slick and beautiful in one example I designed this amazing
one example I designed this amazing
one example I designed this amazing utility point where they keep printers
utility point where they keep printers
utility point where they keep printers and stuff and when I returned to do
and stuff and when I returned to do
and stuff and when I returned to do defects the occupants had turned it into
defects the occupants had turned it into
defects the occupants had turned it into a Hawaiian bar
a Hawaiian bar
a Hawaiian bar can you imagine my dismay had paper
can you imagine my dismay had paper
can you imagine my dismay had paper pasted all over it I was just like oh my
pasted all over it I was just like oh my
pasted all over it I was just like oh my god so you know this is what happens now
god so you know this is what happens now
god so you know this is what happens now I’m a changed person and I realize the
I’m a changed person and I realize the
I’m a changed person and I realize the reason they do this is to make it
reason they do this is to make it
reason they do this is to make it comfortable for them and so as a
comfortable for them and so as a
comfortable for them and so as a designer I need to learn from this and I
designer I need to learn from this and I
designer I need to learn from this and I need to engage more with the people
need to engage more with the people
need to engage more with the people understand what makes them comfortable
understand what makes them comfortable
understand what makes them comfortable and make it good for them
and make it good for them
and make it good for them so then thinking about these two things
so then thinking about these two things
so then thinking about these two things how do we create a great place to work
how do we create a great place to work
how do we create a great place to work so the number one thing that you can do
so the number one thing that you can do
so the number one thing that you can do is really listen to people ask them what
is really listen to people ask them what
is really listen to people ask them what they care about and then actually try to
they care about and then actually try to
they care about and then actually try to implement it at the end of the day we
implement it at the end of the day we
implement it at the end of the day we have to forget this model of one size
have to forget this model of one size
have to forget this model of one size fits all we can’t put every human being
fits all we can’t put every human being
fits all we can’t put every human being in a box in an office and expect them to
in a box in an office and expect them to
in a box in an office and expect them to perform we’re all different the next
perform we’re all different the next
perform we’re all different the next thing is we really have to remember that
thing is we really have to remember that
thing is we really have to remember that offices are communities right it’s
offices are communities right it’s
offices are communities right it’s communal space and what really drives
communal space and what really drives
communal space and what really drives innovation are people that can actually
innovation are people that can actually
innovation are people that can actually work together effectively and as part of
work together effectively and as part of
work together effectively and as part of that the designer has to become part of
that the designer has to become part of
that the designer has to become part of that community understanding the
that community understanding the
that community understanding the community and working with them and
community and working with them and
community and working with them and engaging with the people that form that
engaging with the people that form that
engaging with the people that form that community and the other thing that we
community and the other thing that we
community and the other thing that we really have to make sure we’re doing is
really have to make sure we’re doing is
really have to make sure we’re doing is we have to communicate so a big part of
we have to communicate so a big part of
we have to communicate so a big part of the listening piece is when we hear what
the listening piece is when we hear what
the listening piece is when we hear what people have to say but as businesses we
people have to say but as businesses we
people have to say but as businesses we decide we’re sorry we just can’t do that
decide we’re sorry we just can’t do that
decide we’re sorry we just can’t do that change that you want right now because
change that you want right now because
change that you want right now because of budget or some constriction like that
of budget or some constriction like that
of budget or some constriction like that we have to make sure that we’re
we have to make sure that we’re
we have to make sure that we’re communicating that to people if we’re
communicating that to people if we’re
communicating that to people if we’re asking them for feedback or for input
asking them for feedback or for input
asking them for feedback or for input and then never giving them any feedback
and then never giving them any feedback
and then never giving them any feedback on the input that they’ve given us
on the input that they’ve given us
on the input that they’ve given us they’ll eventually stop giving their
they’ll eventually stop giving their
they’ll eventually stop giving their input that’s very true but also in terms
input that’s very true but also in terms
input that’s very true but also in terms of creating a space that supports that
of creating a space that supports that
of creating a space that supports that because how do you create a sport their
because how do you create a sport their
because how do you create a sport their space that supports communication we
space that supports communication we
space that supports communication we love this idea of taking everybody out
love this idea of taking everybody out
love this idea of taking everybody out of their offices and dump them in
of their offices and dump them in
of their offices and dump them in open-plan and yes that’s a great idea
open-plan and yes that’s a great idea
open-plan and yes that’s a great idea because people shut away in offices in
because people shut away in offices in
because people shut away in offices in isolation all right
isolation all right
isolation all right communicating but this idea of a
communicating but this idea of a
communicating but this idea of a warehouse with endless seas of space
warehouse with endless seas of space
warehouse with endless seas of space makes people feel insecure on a show on
makes people feel insecure on a show on
makes people feel insecure on a show on edge so we really have to think about
edge so we really have to think about
edge so we really have to think about the scalability of open spaces
the scalability of open spaces
the scalability of open spaces communities happen best when there’s
communities happen best when there’s
communities happen best when there’s small groups of people coming together
small groups of people coming together
small groups of people coming together so we really need to scale the space to
so we really need to scale the space to
so we really need to scale the space to the size of the communities and then the
the size of the communities and then the
the size of the communities and then the final thing is really considering how
final thing is really considering how
final thing is really considering how we’re spending the money and so if we’re
we’re spending the money and so if we’re
we’re spending the money and so if we’re spending money on trendy things instead
spending money on trendy things instead
spending money on trendy things instead of what can really benefit the the
of what can really benefit the the
of what can really benefit the the employees we’re probably doing the wrong
employees we’re probably doing the wrong
employees we’re probably doing the wrong thing I’ve worked with organizations
thing I’ve worked with organizations
thing I’ve worked with organizations that actually spent more money on
that actually spent more money on
that actually spent more money on flowers and their businesses than
flowers and their businesses than
flowers and their businesses than people’s development in learning
people’s development in learning
people’s development in learning platforms I think this is a great
platforms I think this is a great
platforms I think this is a great picture to emphasize the point I’m sure
picture to emphasize the point I’m sure
picture to emphasize the point I’m sure we can probably all guess whose office
we can probably all guess whose office
we can probably all guess whose office this is but do you miss something in
this is but do you miss something in
this is but do you miss something in this picture what’s missing this is an
this picture what’s missing this is an
this picture what’s missing this is an office know people and yes it’s
office know people and yes it’s
office know people and yes it’s beautiful look at all these stunning
beautiful look at all these stunning
beautiful look at all these stunning wonderful features that make a part of
wonderful features that make a part of
wonderful features that make a part of this office so the company have
this office so the company have
this office so the company have obviously spent a fortune they’ve bought
obviously spent a fortune they’ve bought
obviously spent a fortune they’ve bought brand-new Vespas just to turn them into
brand-new Vespas just to turn them into
brand-new Vespas just to turn them into chairs great expenditure on the right
chairs great expenditure on the right
chairs great expenditure on the right things this is the same office this is
things this is the same office this is
things this is the same office this is where the people work so really our
where the people work so really our
where the people work so really our company spending money on the right
company spending money on the right
company spending money on the right places yeah and I mean when we think
places yeah and I mean when we think
places yeah and I mean when we think about it it is actually important that
about it it is actually important that
about it it is actually important that there is an attractive place to work I’m
there is an attractive place to work I’m
there is an attractive place to work I’m we personally believe that the design of
we personally believe that the design of
we personally believe that the design of the office isn’t really going to be the
the office isn’t really going to be the
the office isn’t really going to be the main thing that drives the company
main thing that drives the company
main thing that drives the company culture at the end of the day it is the
culture at the end of the day it is the
culture at the end of the day it is the people I think that’s very true but if
people I think that’s very true but if
people I think that’s very true but if the people are miserable because they’re
the people are miserable because they’re
the people are miserable because they’re uncomfortable then it’s very very
uncomfortable then it’s very very
uncomfortable then it’s very very important that the environment supports
important that the environment supports
important that the environment supports them and makes them happy a good
them and makes them happy a good
them and makes them happy a good workplace should really feel like a
workplace should really feel like a
workplace should really feel like a comfortable pair of shoes they should
comfortable pair of shoes they should
comfortable pair of shoes they should make you feel good they should make you
make you feel good they should make you
make you feel good they should make you feel excited and happy to be wearing
feel excited and happy to be wearing
feel excited and happy to be wearing them it should be like your favorite
them it should be like your favorite
them it should be like your favorite item of clothing it should fit and feel
item of clothing it should fit and feel
item of clothing it should fit and feel good and the trendy offices you can walk
good and the trendy offices you can walk
good and the trendy offices you can walk in and they might make you say wow and
in and they might make you say wow and
in and they might make you say wow and that’s actually great for attracting
that’s actually great for attracting
that’s actually great for attracting people because that is an important part
people because that is an important part
people because that is an important part right it’s making sure that people want
right it’s making sure that people want
right it’s making sure that people want to come into that space and it could be
to come into that space and it could be
to come into that space and it could be great for PR opportunities as well these
great for PR opportunities as well these
great for PR opportunities as well these are all things that we recognize are
are all things that we recognize are
are all things that we recognize are important when it comes to actually
important when it comes to actually
important when it comes to actually getting people into the space but as
getting people into the space but as
getting people into the space but as Larissa said
Larissa said
Larissa said it really is about what keeps them there
it really is about what keeps them there
it really is about what keeps them there which is more on the side of comfort
which is more on the side of comfort
which is more on the side of comfort yeah it’s a more long-term approach and
yeah it’s a more long-term approach and
yeah it’s a more long-term approach and really in order to take a long-term
really in order to take a long-term
really in order to take a long-term approach I think we really need to be
approach I think we really need to be
approach I think we really need to be more considered about what we’re doing
more considered about what we’re doing
more considered about what we’re doing and more engaging with the people that
and more engaging with the people that
and more engaging with the people that occupy the space so that we really think
occupy the space so that we really think
occupy the space so that we really think about what is going to look good feel
about what is going to look good feel
about what is going to look good feel good and work so there are a lot of
good and work so there are a lot of
good and work so there are a lot of aspects to what we need to do to make a
aspects to what we need to do to make a
aspects to what we need to do to make a great place to work
great place to work
great place to work because at the end of the day the goal
because at the end of the day the goal
because at the end of the day the goal really is to retain develop people and
really is to retain develop people and
really is to retain develop people and make sure that we’re growing the
make sure that we’re growing the
make sure that we’re growing the organization this is another great
organization this is another great
organization this is another great example this is an example that I love
example this is an example that I love
example this is an example that I love because as a designer it’s perfect it’s
because as a designer it’s perfect it’s
because as a designer it’s perfect it’s flawless everything is in the right
flawless everything is in the right
flawless everything is in the right place everything looks great again
place everything looks great again
place everything looks great again what’s missing
what’s missing
what’s missing so I think as designers we really need
so I think as designers we really need
so I think as designers we really need to start thinking about this and I think
to start thinking about this and I think
to start thinking about this and I think our conclusion is that ultimately to
our conclusion is that ultimately to
our conclusion is that ultimately to create a great place to work and the
create a great place to work and the
create a great place to work and the problem is if we’re following trends or
problem is if we’re following trends or
problem is if we’re following trends or fashions or if trends and fashion
fashions or if trends and fashion
fashions or if trends and fashion dominate then culture and people can
dominate then culture and people can
dominate then culture and people can really suffer
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