The art of crafting the ideal workplace environment

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\”You can have everything in life you want if you will just help other people get what they want.\” Shouldn\’t that be the facilities management mantra? Such wonderful words spoken by Zig Ziglar shared with me by Steve Todd during our recent podcast. During my last two interviews, I was reminded how much of an art form workplace management can be. The work is never really done, is constantly changing, and may not appeal to everyone. But in the end a perfectly crafted workplace can be appreciated by all. 

Workplace Strategies That Elevate The Employee Experience

Steve Todd  Head of Workplace Strategy at Nasdaq

\”Project by project we\’ve taken what we would call the workplace experience from each location that were building out – and trying to better understanding how they work, how they operate and then trying to provide them [the employees] an environment that actually allows them to excel.\”

All the way from Belfast, Ireland, Steve Todd now works for Nasdaq in New York City where he leads a team focused on providing productive workspaces that elevate the employee experience. Steve and his team understand that each department works a little differently than the others, so they take the time to evaluate the type of work each department is doing, how they use space and their daily activities. This helps them plan a space that fits their needs specifically, enhancing the employee experience in the process. 
 
Steve covers how the best way to identify what makes your employees productive is to ask them. Nasdaq recently completed an internal study where they identified 11 key components that make their workforce most productive. Looking forward, when they\’re evaluating how to design new office space, they score themselves based on those 11 attributes. 
 
We also discussed the importance of anticipating your workplace\’s needs for the future. But exactly how can organizations design spaces with technology that won\’t be obsolete in 5 years? Steve believes it\’s by working with leaders and seeing the direction the organization is going first, and you will be best prepared to provide the right workspace for that future version of your company. We came to the conclusion that this can be an ongoing battle, one that most workplace leaders face, but through community and continuing to strive to provide the ideal workspace environment, we seem to be on the right track. 

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The Next Generation of Healthy Workplaces

Leigh Stringer, LEED AP  author, researcher, workplace strategy expert for EYP

\”We should really be outdoors at work, I mean why do we work indoors all the time and save our outdoor time for weekends and evenings? We\’re mobile, you know? We\’ve got our devices, we can take conference calls from anywhere, we\’re in trains planes and automobiles all the time being really effective.\” 

If \”thinking outside the workplace box\” could be part of job a description, it would fit into Leigh Stringer\’s perfectly. A beloved author, researcher and current workplace strategy expert for EYP, Leigh is constantly evaluating how and where we spend time and looking to alternative methods to help keep us healthy and productive during what consumes most of our daily lives, work. 

I recently hosted a webinar interviewing Leigh titled, \”The Next Generation of Healthy Workplaces: Coworking, Biophilia and Working Outdoors\”, where we discussed the overwhelming research suggesting being outside actually makes us not only healthier, but better workers. We took a look at a few modern organizations like Microsoft and Apple and evaluated how they are trying new ways to bring the great outdoors inside. From strategic use of plants to creative space designed to feel like you\’re outside, it\’s clear workplace leaders are expanding the idea of what it means to be a workplace. 

Leigh also participated as a spokesperson for L.L. Bean\’s recent campaign, \”Be An Outsider\” where they set up pop-up outdoor coworking spaces across the country to encourage people to try working outside for the day. Despite some initial pushback, it was a huge hit, people loved how they felt after their workday, and many even reported an increase in productivity and satisfaction when the day was done. It just goes to show the next big workplace idea could be around the corner, and we should always be open to and thinking of new ways to do our best work. 

Want to watch the complete webinar with Leigh Stringer? Download the recording here. 

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