Creating Resilience

Three Ways Technology, Media and Telecom Organizations Are Moving Toward the Future

By: Erica Stricker

June 4, 2024 3 Minute Read

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Amid post-pandemic uncertainty, most Tech, Media & Telecom (TMT) businesses now have an office attendance policy, whether mandatory or recommended. Those firms expect an increase in the number of days their people work in the office, as they seek to boost both employee engagement and collaboration. In designing their offices, TMT companies aim to balance global consistency with local relevance while optimizing their real estate portfolios—through space reductions, innovation and operational efficiency.

Capitalizing on In-Office Presence

While a small portion of TMT organizations operate without any formal in-office work requirements, most have an attendance policy. Organizations with such policies expect to increase the required in-office days over time.

To optimize the peak in-person days, companies are taking different approaches. Some are bringing in local food providers to curate experiences for their employees. Others are hosting events and networking gatherings to bolster face-to-face connections.

To drive engagement and increase the energy in the office, many organizations have implemented seat sharing with varying space-sharing ratios—the number of employees per seat based on attendance and the demand for space. Appropriate seat-sharing can positively affect how the space feels to end users. By evaluating space utilization throughout the week, organizations can quantify how many days reach a vibrancy threshold—the level of fullness required to make the office feel energetic and full of life. Conversely, this vibrancy threshold can help mitigate overcapacity and potentially frustrating experiences where employees cannot find a place to work. Achieving a target ratio leads to greater collaboration and productivity, while the vibrancy threshold can be incorporated into capacity modeling when forecasting future expansion needs.

Balancing Global and Local Needs

When planning the physical space, TMT organizations strive for a balance between global consistency and local relevance in office design. While some organizations have standardized design principles, flexibility is crucial to reflect and celebrate the cultural nuances in each locale.

Office space provides the chance for companies to align with the neighborhood, city or region where they are located. Some are embracing this opportunity by displaying artwork from local artists, or contracting with neighborhood coffee shops and fast-casual restaurants to provide food and drink options in the employee common areas.

Branding can add valuable familiarity and resonance to a space. A consistent look and feel that embodies the brand identity fosters a global sense of belonging. Employees want to recognize that they are walking into a workplace that represents their company. However, a complete one-size-fits-all approach isn't feasible. Headquarters often have distinct amenities compared with smaller satellite offices, and some clients tailor offerings based on office size and location. The design strategy needs to maintain a cohesive brand experience while acknowledging the unique characteristics and needs of each regional operation.

Fostering Informal Collaboration

Leaders in TMT organizations are constantly seeking ways to streamline operations. Informal collaboration can capture the power of employee ingenuity, potentially reducing costs and freeing up capital for other needs.

When provided a space for connecting, employees have an opportunity to brainstorm ideas. Simple innovations—like embracing mobile-first work environments to eliminate desk phones or turning off unused Zoom cameras—can emerge organically to improve efficiency. Impactful insights often arise during informal moments like waiting for elevators or grabbing lunch. These shared strategies and best practices demonstrate how companies can not only reduce costs without compromising quality but increase the ability to innovate and test new ideas that reflect employees’ evolving needs.

Recognizing hidden wellsprings of innovation creates a powerful opportunity. As work environments, company policies and employee behaviors evolve rapidly, facilitating knowledge-sharing becomes paramount. By encouraging collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation, companies can unlock hidden potential and navigate the ever-changing business landscape with agility and effectiveness.

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