Reimagining Workplace Services: How Strategic Office Upgrades Can Have Big Returns

It’s hard to overstate the pandemic’s impact on employment and workplace culture. With soaring job vacancies and an increasingly selective talent pool, workers have indicated that workplace culture and employee experience are top priorities. Unlike a traditional office, today’s successful workplace is a destination where team members can engage with the space, each other, and the tools they need to succeed. Expanded workplace services are a key element of this elevated employee experience. So, how can employers step up their workplace services offerings in order to invigorate their culture and attract the right people?

Revamp Reception

The receptionist’s desk has been an office fixture for decades. With technological advancements of the early 2000s, some organizations transitioned the reception experience from a human behind a desk to an iPad ‘welcome.’ The entry experience is often a guest’s first touchpoint with a company, and it plays an important role in expressing an organization’s brand and culture.
Given the renewed focus on human connection and experience, many forward-thinking companies have reimagined the reception experience to resemble a hotel concierge. A high-touch, hospitality-minded experience that exudes warmth and welcome will set an organization apart. Think of a boutique hotel welcome: on-brand décor, seamless technology, beverage offerings, coat service, and more. First impressions are important, and a successful reception experience should instantly invite prospective clients and employees to feel welcomed, supported, and connected to your company.

Expand In-Office Benefits

It’s no secret that many workers have come to enjoy some of the perks of remote work. In order to compete with the convenience of working from home, companies need to beef up their in-office programs so that workers find value in coming to the workplace. A food and beverage selection is always a plus, whether that’s offering a weekly office lunch, implementing a healthy snack program, or installing an espresso machine in your office café. To promote employee wellness, companies can partner with nearby gyms or fitness studios to offer discounted corporate rates in addition to online subscriptions for when employees are working remotely.

By physically separating teams, the pandemic has taken a toll on workplace culture. People feel less connected to their business mission, and many younger workers struggle to find mentors and professional coaching while working remote. To encourage employees to come into the office and spark connection among teams, companies should offer structured social and networking events in the workplace. Donald Sull, a lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, has urged employers to think more strategically around the purpose of the workplace: “If you only have your employees in the office for two or three days a week, how in a time-efficient manner, [can you] build that sense of camaraderie.”

Wellness and experience are leading the conversation around the future of the workplace, and forward-thinking companies are taking note. By offering more holistic, human-focused workplace services and benefits, employers can underscore their commitment to their people. This begins with a critical assessment of your company’s make-up and values. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and companies want to ensure that new programs are tailored to their unique culture and will resonate with their people. If your team is interested in developing a strategy to enhance the workplace experience, Cresa can offer the latest workplace insights and expertise to guide the process.