Tenant Report


Cresa Boston

200 State Street

Boston, MA 02109

617.758.6000 main

www.cresa.com

 

 

 

 

At Cresa, we represent tenants, not landlords, so we avoid conflicts of interest. Through our integrated corporate services, we align your real estate with your business plan, cutting costs and increasing productivity.

 

 

 

 

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Volume 5, 2013

In Search of "Cool, Creative Space":

How Does Your Workplace Shape Up?

 

A hot news item continues to be "the workplace of the future"...and how well it's working in corporate America today. There are many aspects to this story: the extent of the mobile workforce, workplace optimization strategies, the changing role of the cubicle, etc. Perhaps the most compelling part about this trend is the need for local companies to recruit and retain top talent by creating "cool, creative space," thus establishing a happy, healthy, and productive home away from home.

 

How each company rolls out a workplace strategy depends on many factors: workforce demographics (ages and cultural orientation), industry (high-tech vs. traditional/blue chip), operations (sales/field work vs. HQ/back-office), growth plans, cost containment issues, and the need to align the workplace with the company's brand and culture.

 

Without question, the workplace is being transformed, and creative retrofitting will continue to be a top agenda item for companies in the Boston area and beyond. These companies are generally trying to do more with less, reducing their footprint and corresponding occupancy costs. But not every business is a candidate for workplace transformation, and not everyone has found the right solution. Indeed, companies need to recognize that plans must be customized to meet their unique needs.

 

What kinds of programs work best? Well, programs range from amazing innovation and perks to much smaller-scale examples. 

 

The Basics at Work

If workplace plans are on your radar, it might be helpful to review the following checklist with your in-house team and appropriate consultants: 

  • Be strategic. Study seat counts and employees' feelings about their work environment.
  • Do space programming. Review options for consolidation and reconfiguration. This takes into account growth plans, right-sizing, and may include seat sharing.
  • Assess mobility. The extent of your mobile workforce depends on cultural and technological considerations.
  • Determine space reduction plan. Includes smaller and more efficient workstations and less SF/employer.
  • Consider the importance of collaboration. Open spaces and "huddle areas" promote interaction.
  • Consider privacy issues. Sound masking, phone booths, and personal storage space are also part of the equation.
  • Go green. Sustainability considerations include natural light and exposed ceilings; also, ask about ergonomic furniture and equipment.
  • Use CAD design. Plan for test-fits, inspections, and IT infrastructure.
  • Secure buy-in. From top management as well as rank-and-file staff.
  • Anticipate pushback. Plan for training to address issues related to entitlement and accountability.
  • Be flexible. Pilot, test, adapt. Throughout the process, communication is key. 

Remember, whatever the extent of your virtual workplace program, employees ultimately need to return to the office and meet face to face. They should want to return!

 

From the get-go, you should talk to Project Managers and see how they can provide the vision and structure to deliver an optimized and customized solution on time and on budget. The Project Management process typically involves vendor selection and total project oversight, including collaboration with your in-house team and management of the facilities manager.

 

As part of your due diligence, we advise you to benchmark with existing alternative workplace programs. As an example, please refer to our start-to-finish assignment on behalf of Rockstar New England.

 

For other related assignments, please visit our success story page.

To speak with one of our Project Managers, please contact us.

And stay tuned for more value-added advice in future e-bulletins.


About Cresa
Cresa is an international corporate real estate advisory firm that exclusively represents tenants and specializes in the delivery of fully integrated real estate services, including: Transaction Management, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Workforce and Location Planning, Subleases and Dispositions, Portfolio / Lease Administration, Capital Markets, Sustainability, Industrial / Supply Chain and Facilities Management. With more than 55 offices, Cresa is the largest tenant representation firm in North America. Through its partnership with Savills, one of the world's largest commercial real estate services firms, Cresa covers more than 255 locations in 40 countries. For more information visit www.cresa.com.