Search Results for: business

Greenest commercial building in the world opens for business

by • Architecture, Environment, News, Workplace design

The Bullitt Center, proclaimed as the greenest, most energy efficient commercial building in the world, is opening in Seattle. The goal of the Bullitt Center is to change the way buildings are designed, built and operated to improve long-term environmental performance and promote broader implementation of energy efficiency, renewable energy and other green building technologies. Tenant are now moving into the six-storey, 50,000 square-foot building located at the intersection of Capitol Hill and the Central District in Seattle, Washington. (more…)

Cloud computing set to transform business models

by • Comment, Technology, Workplace

[embedplusvideo height=”196″ width=”300″ standard=”https://www.youtube.com/v/Y7hHXRIRflg?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=Y7hHXRIRflg&width=300&height=196&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep6634″ /]

As an issue explored in our own briefing on the technologies that will do most to transform the workplace during 2013, we know the Cloud is set to be adopted (and understood) by more and more organisations and individuals in the coming year. Doubtless it will follow the usual process of technological adoption as people begin to understand its unintended consequences as well as its uses but it pays to know what some of its implications will be for office designers and managers as shown by this programme from Deloitte.

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

by • AI, News, Workplace

A new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job rolesA new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job roles. The survey of 2,000 UK employees found that 58 percent believe their industry is changing faster than before, yet only 51 percent said they are currently engaged in upskilling. The findings have been released as part of Arden University’s Future of Work and Learning Report. (more…)

Tales from the built environment: some reflections on the conference circuit 

Tales from the built environment: some reflections on the conference circuit 

by • Comment, Facilities management, Property, Workplace design

The built environment sector, like many other sectors, spends a great deal of time talking to itself. So what is it saying right now?The stories we tell ourselves can be powerful. They shape how we see reality, whether they’re true or not. The trouble is that the ones which endure are rarely the most helpful. Here’s a familiar story: every industry is privately convinced that its image problem is uniquely severe. This leads to a lot of navel-gazing and going round in circles. Often, however, they’re grappling with versions of the same challenge: trying to explain their value to people outside the room. I saw this play out at two recent conferences related to the built environment: the UK Real Estate Infrastructure & Investment Forum (UKREiiF) in May and IWFM Live last week. (more…)

Narcissistic leaders are more likely to oppose remote work, study suggests

Narcissistic leaders are more likely to oppose remote work, study suggests

by • Flexible working, News

business leaders with stronger narcissistic tendencies are significantly more likely to resist remote work and hybrid working arrangements because they see them as a threat to their power and statusNow, we don’t usually want to fan the dying embers of the tedious, endless RTO v WFH conversation, but this is a potentially interesting addition to consider. According to a new study from researchers at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, business leaders with stronger narcissistic tendencies are significantly more likely to resist remote and hybrid working arrangements because they see them as a threat to their power and status. Published in the journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, the study suggests that opposition to remote work may not be driven solely by concerns about productivity, collaboration or organisational performance. Instead, it may also stem from leaders’ personal motivations and psychological needs. (more…)

Data centres are the most significant building type in the world right now. And we need to talk about that

Data centres are the most significant building type in the world right now. And we need to talk about that

by • Features, Technology, Workplace design

Data centres have always been a slight anomaly in the Built Environment sector, part property and part critical infrastructure (talking in wattage rather than square footage for example), lacking aesthetic appeal and they are not significant employers, they are often considered a necessary evil to support our hyper-communicative lifestylesThe Data Centre Congress which took place from June 1st to 4th in Cannes is to data centres what mipim is to the more traditional markets in property, a place where the good and the great – from investors and operators, to the engineers and power providers, gather to network and contemplate the challenges and the future of the sector. In Q1 last year there was a slight chill through the sector after Microsoft halted data centre plans across the US and Europe to the tune of 2GW, citing caution around the overexpansion of AI and uncertainty around tariffs. What seemed like bombshell news at the time, felt like a mere blip and a distant memory at the 2026 edition and this juggernaut of activity is showing zero signs of slowing, a market that is currently worth over $300 billion is set to rise to $699.13 billion by 2034. (more…)

One third of knowledge workers considering career change over AI concerns

One third of knowledge workers considering career change over AI concerns

by • AI, News, Technology

A third of knowledge workers are considering moving to a different industry because of concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on their careers, according to a new survey from Adaptavist.A third of knowledge workers are considering moving to a different industry because of concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on their careers, according to a new survey from Adaptavist. The poll of 2,500 professionals in the UK, US, Canada, Germany and Spain, claims that 33 percent are actively looking to change industries due to fears about AI. A quarter of respondents said they are specifically considering moving into sectors they believe are less exposed to automation, including manual occupations. (more…)

Navel gazing may not be the answer to the challenges facing workplace professions

Navel gazing may not be the answer to the challenges facing workplace professions

by • Comment, Facilities management, Workplace, Workplace design

First published in 2016 and republished because the same conversation is happening yet again at the IWFM conference right now: An adherence to strongly held beliefs can make people think and behave in peculiar ways and get them tangled up in peripheral issues that take on a great deal of significance. Early religious artists, for example, spent centuries wrestling with the seemingly intractable problem of whether to depict Adam and Eve with belly buttons or not. (more…)

CIFF Shanghai plans to focus on design, digital technology and sustainability for 2026 event

CIFF Shanghai plans to focus on design, digital technology and sustainability for 2026 event

by • Environment, News, Technology, Workplace design

CIFF Shanghai has announced a new strategic direction for its 2026 exhibition, centred on design, digital intelligence and sustainabilityCIFF Shanghai has announced a new strategic direction for its 2026 exhibition, centred on design, digital intelligence and sustainability as the furniture industry responds to changing market demands and technological developments. The 58th edition of the trade fair will take place in September at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai Hongqiao. Organisers say the event is intended to function not only as a marketplace but also as a platform for innovation, industry collaboration and international exchange. (more…)

London could generate £76bn boost to UK economy through ‘frontier industries’, says PwC

London could generate £76bn boost to UK economy through ‘frontier industries’, says PwC

by • News, Property, Technology

London could help generate an additional £76 billion a year for the UK economy by 2030 if productivity growth in finance, technology, and science and research industries is acceleratedLondon could help generate an additional £76 billion a year for the UK economy by 2030 if productivity growth in finance, technology, and science and research industries is accelerated, according to a new report from PwC. The consultancy’s Grow London report argues that the capital is well positioned to support growth in what it describes as “frontier industries” due to its concentration of skilled workers, access to investment, established technology clusters and stable business environment. (more…)

Optimizing your environment: principles from workplace to home

Optimizing your environment: principles from workplace to home

by • Company news

It's pretty amazing how the secrets to a productive, low-stress workplace are often the same ones that make a home feel restful and clear, even for public sector management.It’s pretty amazing how the secrets to a productive, low-stress workplace are often the same ones that make a home feel restful and clear, even for public sector management. Think about it: an office set up for focus and efficiency isn’t all that different from a home designed for relaxation. Once you get these basic ideas, you can really fine-tune both your work and personal spaces. This means you’ll get more done, feel less stressed, and generally enjoy life more. It all starts with realizing that your surroundings aren’t just background noise; they actually play a big part in how well you do each day. (more…)

What does Gen Z really think about AI? Boooooo!

What does Gen Z really think about AI? Boooooo!

by • AI, Comment, SF

I regularly meet with CEOs and Board members and the conversation always comes around to the same topic: how can we attract new talent? C-Suite upwards are borderline-obsessed by how to recruit and retain younger employees, eager to harness their energy, enthusiasm and the total lack of work-life boundaries that will come with experience. When keynote speakers were tasked with motivating graduating students during commencement speeches this year, they naturally looked at what was ‘in vogue’ and landed upon AI. This is hardly surprising. We cannot contact, purchase from or seek assistance from an organisation, without butting up against an AI agent, eagerly waiting to ‘help’. We are constantly being told that AI is the unavoidable future and so, for Gen X/ Boomer speakers seeking to connect with Gen Z and garner their approval, AI was a natural talking point. Except, it wasn’t. In a beautiful act of rebellion, Gen Z have taken a different path and have made their feelings about AI known. Loudly. (more…)

«< 35 36 37 38 39 >»