1. Workplace Alignment
“Not Simply an Alternative”
colliers international - advisory services
30 September 2010
PrePared By:
Larry Matarazzi, Director larry.matarazzi@colliers.com
Doug Demers, Managing Director doug.demers@colliers.com
2. Workplace Alignment
“Not Simply an Alternative”
In real estate the old saying goes “location, location, location”. However, to develop a
successful workplace strategy that improves employee attraction, retention and
productivity as well as reduces real estate spend it is all about ‘data, data, data’. A
statistical means of alignment between business practices and space requirements is
easily left out of the conversation. the right answer in workplace strategy is one that
aligns with real measures (current, anticipated and/or desired), and is not simply an
alternative to the current approach.
So, when is it time to start thinking strategy anyway? There are many reasons for a
company to decide that it is time for a new Workplace Strategy; achieving real estate cost
savings, improving worker attraction and retention, concern about generational issues,
improving worker satisfaction and workplace productivity are the most common. no
matter the reasons, there are three proven steps to develop a baseline that will allow us
to create a successful Workplace Strategy.
1. Tie the new Workplace Strategy to 2. Gather data on how employee’s
“Without a business need solving a real business need. This can be currently do their work. Understanding this
as simple as a Sales VP wanting the baseline will allow us to create a gap
to solve, this can become salespeople to be able to spend less time in analysis between the current state and the
another cost cutting the office and more time with customers, desired state, identify candidates for new
exercise that may not have or as complicated as an Engineering VP Workplace Strategies and gauge the
wanting to increase the collaboration of amount of change management necessary
buy-in or support from the their engineers to develop better products to implement the solution. There are
stakeholders.” in less time. In both cases the Real Estate several proven data sources and it is
solution is based on solving a business important to gather data from at least two
problem or need. Without a business need sources – knowledge workers usually need
to solve, this can become another cost three or more!
“there are several proven cutting exercise that may not have buy-in
or support from the stakeholders. While The most simple to get are the HR
data sources and it is discussing business need, find out if the Directory and Badge-in data. These are
important to gather data business has any productivity measures usually available and can provide good
from at least two sources - they use. Not many companies have these information. Network Traffic data is more
for knowledge workers, but if they do it is difficult to get but is more valuable in
knowledge workers usually critical to understand them and how the informing us when people are working and
three or more.” Workplace supports or hinders the workers from where. Observation is almost always
ability to be productive. necessary to validate findings and
anomalies in the other data. Frequently
focus groups are used to supplement
P. 2 WorkPlace aliGnment Colliers International | advisory services Group
3. The Gap Analysis and action plan forms
the roadmap for the development of a
Workplace Strategy and solutions that will
meet business needs, increase worker
attraction, retention and satisfaction and
reduce real estate spend.
missing or conflicting data. Finally a Work The best solution is not simply an
Profile Survey is the most detailed and alternative to the current state of things.
useful tool in understanding the current With the data sources that we have
work patterns of the staff. This tool is a available today, it is not out of the question
detailed survey administered to the entire to align a workplace strategy with key data
company and provides insight into thirty- to ensure it fits the cultural, functional, and
plus dimensions of how the employees do strategic needs of a business of any scale
their work, from where and when. or stage.
3. Apply it. Based on several data sources, In future IDEA Reports we will review the
the results of a detailed Work Profile steps necessary to develop and implement
Survey and segmentation analysis, a new Workplace Strategy. Never settle for
compare the results with the traditional an alternative, strive for alignment.
classification of workers and their
categories. A Gap Analysis and plan of
action are then prepared to get from the
current state to the desired future state
economically and in the least amount of
time. This Gap Analysis and action plan is
the roadmap for the development of a
Workplace Strategy and solutions that will
meet the business needs, increase worker
attraction, retention and satisfaction and
reduce real estate spend.
CURRENT
Solve for a real
Business need.
Gather the data. DESIRED
Workplace alignment
apply it.
Colliers International | advisory services Group WorkPlace aliGnment P. 3
