Search Results for: culture

Office design and the office market are not what you might be led to believe

Office design and the office market are not what you might be led to believe

The future of office design is that the physical workplace will resemble nothing so much as an upscale hotel, right? Right?Over the weekend The Times published an article headlined “The ‘super-prime’ offices designed to lure WFH staff back in”. It described how firms are reshaping offices in the image of upmarket hotels, with enticing features such as gyms, childcare, cinemas, climbing walls, lounges and restaurants (run by Gordon Ramsay natch). These are luxury spaces to make the office worth the commute, as the cliché goes. Although the author concedes that this is largely a London phenomenon in the UK, the implication is that offices everywhere must ape this office design approach to some degree to meet the demands of the post-covid workforce. This is compelling stuff and not the first time you will have heard the argument. But, is it true? (more…)

Giant digital artwork will Illuminate THE MART’s Facade during NeoCon

Giant digital artwork will Illuminate THE MART’s Facade during NeoCon

A new large-scale digital projection will light up the facade of THE MART during NeoCon in downtown Chicago this summerA new large-scale digital projection will light up the facade of THE MART in downtown Chicago this summer, offering a reflection on the forces shaping the city’s past, present and future. Currents of Chicago, created by architecture and design firm Perkins&Will, will be displayed from 5 June to 6 July as part of the ongoing ART on THE MART programme. Lighting up the building’s 2.5-acre riverfront facade, the work coincides with the 2025 edition of NeoCon (9–11 June), a major event in the commercial design industry. It is the third year in a row that ART on THE MART has timed one of its major presentations to coincide with the NeoCon design fair. (more…)

The world needs amazing leaders like never before. But where are they?

The world needs amazing leaders like never before. But where are they?

rapid changes in today’s environment can put even the best leaders under immense strain and cause ripple effects within the organisationDemand for integrity and strength in leadership has never been greater. A wave of quickly evolving AI technologies, combined with geopolitics and other pressures, is increasing this need at an unprecedented pace. The rapid changes in today’s environment can put even the best leaders under immense strain and cause ripple effects within the organisation. In fact, even those changes that are expected to bring efficiency and simplicity like GenAI, translate into confusion, anxiety, and complexity in many situations. According to McKinsey research, a staggering 56 percent of employees report that their leaders are either mildly or highly toxic. Even more concerning, 75 percent of employees identify their boss as the most stressful part of their workday. (more…)

AI ushers in the era of the ‘frontier firm’, Microsoft report claims

AI ushers in the era of the ‘frontier firm’, Microsoft report claims

A new report from Microsoft claims that 2025 will mark a new point in the evolution of work, with organisations across the globe now entering what it calls the age of the 'Frontier Firm' reliant on both AI and humansA new report from Microsoft claims that 2025 will mark a new point in the evolution of work, with organisations across the globe now entering what it calls the age of the ‘Frontier Firm’. The report defines this as a ‘future-facing business model in which a combination of artificial intelligence and human collaboration reshapes work processes and redefines the very structure of enterprises’. The 2025 Work Trend Index, published by Microsoft’s WorkLab, claims to draw on one of the most comprehensive datasets to date, combining insights from 31,000 workers across 31 countries, thousands of Microsoft 365 ‘productivity signals’, and labour market trends derived from LinkedIn’s global data. The report argues that AI is no longer a novel addition to the workplace — it is becoming central to how work is done, who does it, and what organisations can achieve. (more…)

Negative feelings about work continue to grow, especially for managers

Negative feelings about work continue to grow, especially for managers

People are becoming increasingly disengaged from work at a time when technological change is demanding more from them than everThe State of the Global Workplace: 2025 Report from Gallup frames a stark warning to business leaders and policymakers: people around the world are becoming increasingly disengaged from work at a time when technological change is demanding more from them than ever before. As artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates across industries, transforming everything from operations to communication, the human foundations of the workplace—employee engagement and wellbeing—are showing signs of deep strain. (more…)

What kind of change leader do you want to be?

What kind of change leader do you want to be?

Taking the stage, owning the message, and driving the agenda were seen as hallmarks of a strong change leader. But the evolving needs of organisations, teams, and individuals are reshaping this definition.Change is inevitable. Whether in business, communities, or our personal lives, change is a constant—and in every instance, someone is leading it. Leadership during change is not limited to formal positions or job titles. Every day, in countless ways, individuals step into roles that influence, guide, and support others through transition. The question is: what kind of change leader do you want to be? In many traditional models of leadership, success has been closely associated with visibility, authority, and control. Taking the stage, owning the message, and driving the agenda were seen as hallmarks of strong leadership. But the evolving needs of organisations, teams, and individuals are reshaping this definition. (more…)

People’s expectations of work have changed forever (and they think office work should pay better than remote work)

People’s expectations of work have changed forever (and they think office work should pay better than remote work)

The Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to remote work have had a “radical impact” on the global workforce, particularly among younger employeesThe Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to remote work have had a “radical impact” on the global workforce, particularly among younger employees who began their careers during this unprecedented period, according to new research published by BSI in collaboration with the think tank ResPublica. The study, part of BSI’s Evolving Together series, claims to provide a comprehensive picture of a workforce cohort shaped by the pandemic and explores how these formative experiences continue to influence their expectations and behaviours. Drawing on a global survey of 4,700 individuals who entered the workforce during or since the pandemic, as well as focus groups and international literature reviews, the research sets out to paint a nuanced portrait of the so-called “hybrid generation”. (more…)

Far from lightening the load, could AI lead to burnout?

Far from lightening the load, could AI lead to burnout?

The idea of AI being able to lift some of the daily administrative burden off employees is appealing and it’s certainly a large part of the sales pitch of AI tech suppliers. But will it work?When speaking to leaders about the integration of AI into their businesses, one positive repeated to me in every conversation is ‘AI will lighten the load’. Workplace wellbeing is a recognised priority, with most businesses and organisations seeking to minimise stress and burnout and, ultimately, reduce costly sickness absence. The idea of AI being able to lift some of the daily administrative burden off employees is appealing and it’s certainly a large part of the sales pitch of AI tech suppliers. But will it work? (more…)

Supporting employees with brain injuries: key tips for employers

Supporting employees with brain injuries: key tips for employers

Brain injuries can have a profound impact on a person’s life, and when it comes to returning to work, both employees and employers face unique challenges.Brain injuries can have a profound impact on a person’s life, and when it comes to returning to work, both employees and employers face unique challenges. Whether the individual is returning to their previous role or starting anew, employers must be prepared to offer support and make necessary adjustments – not just because it’s morally right but because it is legally required. Employers do not have the luxury of turning a blind eye to this, as statistics indicate that a person is admitted to hospital with a brain injury every 90 seconds. Brain injuries can present subtly, and chances are you will know someone who has survived a brain injury, even if you are not aware of it. ‘Brain injury’ refers to both traumatic injuries (caused by an external impact, such as a car accident or assault) and acquired brain injuries (caused from internal factors, such as a stroke or tumour). (more…)

If you want your business to grow, become a digital leader

If you want your business to grow, become a digital leader

The takeaway from research is clear: investing in becoming a digital leader fuels business success.How often does your organisation really challenge its approach to digital? A recent report from Virgin Media O2 Business in partnership with Cebr revealed a gap in progress between tech adopters and non-adopters. The average tech-adopting ‘digital leader’ saw a 12 percent turnover growth and 9 percent headcount growth between 2021 and 2023. This was double that of slower-adopting ‘digital followers’, with 6 percent turnover and 3 percent headcount. (more…)

Traditional incentives don’t encourage people back to the office. Here’s what might

Traditional incentives don’t encourage people back to the office. Here’s what might

A new report from Colliers claims to highlight the major challenge businesses experience in attracting people back to the office when attendance remains stubbornly lowA new report from Colliers claims to highlight the major challenges businesses experience in attracting people back to the office when attendance remains stubbornly low. With average peak occupancy below 40 percent across Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and North America, and workplaces lacking ‘vibrancy’ 83 percent of the time, many organisations are struggling to foster collaboration and engagement. (more…)

British workers now entirely unproductive, claims report

British workers now entirely unproductive, claims report

The overwhelming majority of UK workers don’t do anything productive at all, according to a new report published today. The study of available research into the illnesses, injuries, distractions, wastes of time, procrastinations, productivity drains and paralyses that afflict British workers found that the annual cost to the British economy is around £1.8 trillion, equivalent to 98.9 percent of GDP.

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