November 19, 2021

Workplace data proves that the devil is in the detail for the new era of work

by Steve Morren • Comment, Flexible working, Technology, Workplace design

Predicting the future is a fool’s errand. History is littered with examples of people who got it horribly wrong. In 1876, William Orten, the president of then telegraphy pioneer Western Union, claimed that the telephone was an idiotic, ungainly and impractical idea that would never catch on. Almost a century later, Microsoft’s Bill Gates said that nobody would ever need more than 640KB of memory in a computer. Today’s home computers and laptops can store up to 32GB of memory. (more…)

November 18, 2021

Creating a supportive environment for vital deskless workers

by Jayne Smith • Flexible working, News, Working lives

The Josh Bersin Company a research and advisory company focused on HR and workforce trends and issues, has released its latest report based on insights from its ongoing Big Reset executive working groups. The report, The Big Reset Playbook: Deskless Workers, focuses on the recommended practices needed to create optimal work experiences for “deskless” employees in retail, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, transportation, and other sectors. (more…)

November 18, 2021

Time to stop playing around with the issue of workplace sustainability

by Joanna Knight • Environment, Facilities management, Features, JK, Workplace design

The so-called green agenda, sustainability and climate change have finally hit centre stage. Various announcements are being made by UK Government and numerous high profile figures are crying a call to action to implement carbon reduction plans now. Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell, stated at the Annual Lord Mayor Gresham Lecture early in 2021: “Climate change is a bigger threat to the world than COVID-19.” He called on the financial and professional services sector to take urgent action to tackle climate change and ensure sustainability is at the heart of every financial decision. (more…)

November 17, 2021

Post-pandemic surge in demand for sustainable business travel

by Jayne Smith • Environment, News

New research from Trainline Partner Solutions (TPS) claims Covid-19 will usher in a new era of sustainable business travel. The vast majority of business travellers (75 percent) want to reduce their reliance on air travel for business because of the impact it has on the environment. (more…)

November 16, 2021

Powell Software launches Together to allow SMEs to connect and collaborate with ease

by Freddie Steele • Company news

As SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) grapple with a myriad of challenges to keep their companies running successfully, Powell Software introduces Together, the small business intranet accessible from Microsoft Teams that helps meet their productivity, communication and collaboration needs. (more…)

November 15, 2021

Smart cities infrastructure investment to top US$375 billion in 2030

by Neil Franklin • Cities, News, Technology

According to technology intelligence firm ABI Research, investments in urban infrastructure aimed at implementing new visions for smart cities will reach US$375 billion by 2030 as cities invest in brownfield and greenfield projects. Drivers behind urban innovation are numerous but both the digitalisation of lifestyles, accelerated by Covid-19, and the increasingly pressing need to address climate change are powerful engines for metropolitan transformation. Additional agents of change include the call for more equity and inclusiveness, scalable economic development, and more affordable living. (more…)

November 15, 2021

Waverley and QMotion bring wire-free motorised shading to commercial sector

by Freddie Steele • Company news

An innovative hybrid-power shading solution has been launched which brings all the benefits of motorised blinds with none of the costly power supplies and electrical works to occupants and designers of commercial buildings. Waverley, which specialises in improving the performance and aesthetics of public and working spaces, and automated window treatment experts QMotion have partnered to bring a completely wireless and near-silent shading solution to the commercial market, called the ShadeTech RBL-QM Hybrid Roller Blind. (more…)

November 12, 2021

Three in four IT departments face critical skills gaps

by Jayne Smith • News, Technology

Skillsoft (NYSE: SKIL), has released its annual Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report, exploring the current state of skills gaps, training and development, compensation, and job satisfaction in the IT industry. (more…)

November 12, 2021

Hybrid working could save the NHS more than £4 billion per year

by Jayne Smith • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing, Working lives

Hybrid working could save the NHS more than £4 billion per year by giving workers more time to look after themselves and their families, according to a new study by Virgin Media O2 Business and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). (more…)

November 11, 2021

HDR is providing engineering expertise on one of London’s most sustainable, all-electric office buildings

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Environment

Holbein Gardens, located at 7 Holbein Place in the heart of London’s Belgravia, will lead the way for future schemes on the road to achieving net zero carbon. Independent multidisciplinary engineering consultancy HDR has been commissioned by property business Grosvenor Britain & Ireland to provide engineering services on Holbein Gardens, a new office scheme located in the heart of Belgravia. (more…)

November 11, 2021

Over half of UK employees believe AI skills will make their job easier

by Jayne Smith • News, Technology, Working lives

According to new global research from ABBYY, six-in-ten (64 percent) UK employees say their job is made more difficult through trouble accessing data in documents and one-in-four (27 percent) lose a full day of productivity per week searching documents for information they need to serve customers, higher than the global average. (more…)