Search Results for: management

How MSPs are shaping the future of the digital workplace

How MSPs are shaping the future of the digital workplace

Here’s why businesses are increasingly turning to outside experts for AI support and what to expect of the digital workplace as those experts modernize their service offerings in response.According to JLL’s 2026 Future of Work Survey, most C-suite and corporate real estate leaders now expect AI to redesign roles and grow headcount rather than reduce it. While this is likely a relief for those who previously worried about AI making their roles obsolete, it also creates new pressure on organisations to integrate AI into their operations. This pressure is increasing the demand across the board for managed service providers (MSPs). At the same time, it is increasing the scope of responsibilities modern MSPs are now expected to offer. Here’s why businesses are increasingly turning to outside experts for AI support and what to expect of the digital workplace as those experts modernize their service offerings in response. (more…)

As hybrid working resets the office’s purpose, its small rituals carry more weight

As hybrid working resets the office’s purpose, its small rituals carry more weight

Hybrid working has changed the arrangement. Many employees can now complete focused work elsewhere, often without a commute or the interruptions of a busy workplace. A trip to the office therefore needs to offer something beyond access to a desk and a screen.The question of what the office is for has become harder to answer. For much of its history, the office had a clear practical role. It was where the people, information and equipment needed for work were located. Attendance was largely assumed, and the working week developed around that shared presence. Hybrid working has changed the arrangement. Many employees can now complete focused work elsewhere, often without a commute or the interruptions of a busy workplace. A trip to the office therefore needs to offer something beyond access to a desk and a screen. (more…)

The Crown Estate unveils two major West End office developments

The Crown Estate unveils two major West End office developments

The Crown Estate has announced two major mixed-use developments in London's West End as part of what it describes as the largest programme of office developments in its history.The Crown Estate has announced two major mixed-use developments in London’s West End as part of what it describes as the largest programme of office developments in its history. The projects at 10 Piccadilly and 21–29 Glasshouse Street will deliver a combined 169,300 sq ft of office, retail and hospitality space, continuing the organisation’s programme of refurbishing and redeveloping heritage buildings across its central London estate. The schemes form part of The Crown Estate’s wider strategy for its 10 million sq ft London portfolio, which combines office development with retail, leisure and public realm improvements aimed at maintaining the West End’s appeal as a business and visitor destination. (more…)

Are we designing workplaces around evidence or assumption?

Are we designing workplaces around evidence or assumption?

People no longer use workplaces in the same way every day, every week or every season, yet many of the decisions shaping the future of our workplaces still assume that they do.A sudden, intense summer heatwave does more than test a building’s cooling systems; it exposes just how difficult workplace management has become across Europe. During these spikes, employees rethink their commute, meeting rooms fill and empty at different times, quieter corners suddenly become more attractive places to work, and facilities teams work hard to keep buildings comfortable while managing rising energy demands. While these changes may only last a few days, they serve as a useful reminder that workplaces are far more dynamic than we often give them credit for. People no longer use offices in the same way every day, every week or every season, yet many of the decisions shaping the future of our workplaces still assume that they do. (more…)

The best building access control systems for offices

The best building access control systems for offices

As the use of office space has grown more complex and smart buildings have emerged, access control protocols need to adapt to meet new challengesA locked door is a foundational image in security. Though the methods of securing an entryway have changed over the millennia, from intricate slabs of intertwining wood to industrial steel padlocks and digital readers, the basic idea has remained largely the same, until now. As the use of office space has grown more complex and smart buildings have emerged, access control protocols need to adapt to meet new challenges. Hybrid work patterns cause daily fluctuations in occupancy, flexible work schedules mean employees enter and exit outside of the traditional 9-5 window and temporary personnel, be they part-time staff, contractors or cleaners, all now factor into how offices must manage their access control systems. (more…)

Business leaders expect AI to expand rather than shrink workforces, JLL report claims

Business leaders expect AI to expand rather than shrink workforces, JLL report claims

Most senior business leaders expect artificial intelligence to lead to workforce growth and job redesign rather than widespread redundancies, according to new global research from commercial real estate firm JLLMost senior business leaders expect artificial intelligence to lead to workforce growth and job redesign rather than widespread redundancies, according to new global research from commercial real estate firm JLL. The company’s 2026 Future of Work Survey, based on responses from more than 2,200 C-suite executives and corporate real estate leaders across 21 countries, found that 60 percent of respondents expect their organisations to increase headcount over the coming years, while the same proportion believe AI will reinvent existing roles rather than replace them. The findings challenge what JLL says are widespread concerns about AI-driven job losses, although the report acknowledges that some roles are still expected to disappear as organisations adopt the technology. (more…)

The workplace canteen isn’t too expensive. The way you run it is.

The workplace canteen isn’t too expensive. The way you run it is.

Most facilities teams have quietly reached the same conclusion: a staffed workplace canteen costs too much to justify, so it's a snack machine or nothing. They're half right. The canteen isn't the problem — the model is. And the model has changed.Most facilities teams have quietly reached the same conclusion: a staffed workplace canteen costs too much to justify, so it’s a snack machine or nothing. They’re half right. The canteen isn’t the problem — the model is. And the model has changed. Ask a facilities manager what their canteen actually costs, and you’ll rarely get a clean figure. The invoice is deliberately fragmented — food, labour, a contract caterer’s management fee, site costs — and the biggest line, labour, is the one under most pressure. (more…)

AI can automate work, but it can’t automate trust

AI can automate work, but it can’t automate trust

As AI becomes more involved in decisions around hiring, performance and progression, employees are asking more questions about how those tools are being used and where the boundaries should sitBusinesses are moving quickly to bring artificial intelligence into the workplace, exploring how it can support everything from recruitment and workforce planning to performance management and employee services. Employee confidence in this technology, however, is struggling to keep up. Research suggests only 46 percent of people say they trust AI systems, while almost a third (31 percent) of employees are concerned they could be replaced by the technology. (more…)

Government updates office design standards with new workplace guidance

Government updates office design standards with new workplace guidance

The Government Property Agency (GPA) has published a revised version of its Government Workplace Design Guide, introducing a new office design framework intended to standardise the layout of government offices while reflecting changes in the way civil servants work.The Government Property Agency (GPA) has published a revised version of its Government Workplace Design Guide, introducing a new office design framework intended to standardise the layout of government offices while reflecting changes in the way civil servants work. Launched on 2 July, the updated guidance introduces a Core Design Requirements (CDR) framework, which the GPA says will provide a consistent approach to creating inclusive, accessible, sustainable and digitally enabled workplaces across the government estate. (more…)

Smart Building in action: Simac HQ integrates lighting, data and control

Smart Building in action: Simac HQ integrates lighting, data and control

TRILUX has delivered a connected lighting solution for the new Simac headquarters in Veldhoven, supporting the company’s ambition to create a smart, flexible and future-ready workplaceTRILUX has delivered a connected lighting solution for the new Simac headquarters in Veldhoven, supporting the company’s ambition to create a smart, flexible and future-ready workplace. Developed in collaboration with installer Kuijpers, the project transforms the former TechniekHuys into a modern office environment where lighting, data and building systems work together as part of a fully integrated smart ecosystem. Rather than constructing a new building, Simac opted to redevelop the existing TechniekHuys, creating a sustainable workplace that reflects its own technological expertise. The headquarters now acts as a live demonstration environment, incorporating a fully wireless smart building management system. (more…)

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

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 

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…)