Workplace Innovation

WORKPLACE + INNOVATION = ?

We have had some recent projects with larger companies and the subject of Workplace Innovation inevitably arises. We are doing some more comprehensive research on the subject, but here are some practical thoughts on this timely topic.

The study of workplace innovation has kept designers and furniture companies alive for over 50 years. As we emerged from the industrial age and wartime production, a new era of work began. We were generating content in new ways. Largely paperwork that required sedentary but efficient activity. We created the office.

This spawned the birth of office systems and space planning. Paired with the modernism mantra of 'a house is a machine for living' the workplace became 'a machine for economic prosperity'. Early design in this marketplace was innovative but clumsy. Military-like regimen that worked so well in factory production lines was reinterpreted as the office workplace with the expectation of similar outcomes. 

In General

Over a few generations of design evolution, patterns have begun to appear that challenge the aspiration of precision workplace engineering design.

Professional workplaces are not intellectual factories. Meaning, what works so well in product production line design does not correlate to intellectual production design. One is linear, the other dynamic. One requires isolation of activity, the other collaboration. One rejects human subjectivity and intuition, the other relies on it.   

We are not machines. Regardless of our setting- factory or professional office. While we embrace the systems created to make our work easier and efficient, we don't aspire to to structure our lives similarly. Beauty, joy and romance are wildly inefficient and subjective, and that is a good thing.

The workplace is more than a vessel for commerce. It is the physical manifestation of a companies vision, culture and value proposition. It speaks volumes.

So what does that mean in 2015? 

The design of the workplace is part of your competitive distinction. Companies typically think of competitive distinction externally. But if you want to attract the best and brightest, you'd better offer a great place to spend the day. Your business will do better, its a fact.

The workplace is becoming increasingly more dynamic. Our culture is moving away from static office environments. The ability to work where you want  with no loss in connectivity or effectiveness is still relatively new, but significant. This simple shift has been the awakening of the entrepreneurial community, and will soon define the traditional office environment.

The next generation thinks, acts and works quite differently. This is not an evolutionary development, its revolutionary. Leadership in the current workplace is well advised to narrow the chasm and seek to understand the opportunities here.

Strategy and Tactics.

Here are some of the things we do for our clients when designing workplaces. 

Build a diverse team. If you are designing new workspace, engage associates from across the spectrum in your organization. Its a little more work, but you get surprising insight. let your designer be the referee, have them work to filter the input so you have the tools to make good decisions.

Consider the entire workplace ecosystem. Space planning in a vacuum may be efficient, but will result in narrow uninformed results. Similarly, your marketing platform or human resources policies may not seem relevant, but a careful designer will see these types of things are part of the workplace experience and want to build around these

Engineer around What you do, Design around Why you do. This aims squarely at the next generation. Many competent designers can engineer your workplace to high levels of efficiency. But a true designer will manifest and articulate your core tenets- the WHY in your company and share it with customers, employees and candidates. Your workplace will develop a culture and brand that is honest and consistent with the vision of the leadership.

What's next

We keep up with innovation, the old guard and the next generation. Here's what we see:

Speed vs. Quality- I carry the complete library of data for all my projects in the palm of my hand. Generating content, sharing it, and making decisions is no longer restricted by time or place. We will need to adapt to make sure this ease and speed is leveraged, but does not come at the expense of thought and consideration. Hurry up and wait.

The narrowing gap between commodity and experience. Walmart told us that you must exchange experience and design quality for economy. Target says not so fast. Zappos just wants you to be happy, but still get your stuff fast and easy. Boutique brands that are difficult and overpriced are losing. We can design a beautiful experience, we can deliver efficiently too. We can be crafted and authentic, and we can be competitive with anyone. Raise the bars- all of them. 

Laggards and Innovators- Much of the leadership in our economy are laggards- flip phones and aol email addresses. Much of the next generation are innovators- Facebook is already last week and Apple is falling behind. We'll look to pair these- because the depth of experience of the leadership is profound and the nimble disposition next generation is too. Effective partnering can make really great work.  

   

Environment does not play the lead: #4 of 4 in the VIBE series

This graphic a map of the Fairmount neighborhood in Philadelphia, where I grew up. This environment had profound influence on me in a variety of ways: 

I saw the built environment as a cultural vehicle. And a machine. And a tool. And Fabulous.

I learned an environment is a very complex construct.

I was thrilled by the prospect of shaping and influencing the human experience.

Fabulous- Walking through the studios of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, into Foodstuffs Grocery just down the street, or strolling through the iconic John Wanamaker department store. These are just a few of the thousands of environments that shaped my world view. Each distinct, each designed with purpose. 

Complex- I stand in the reading Terminal Market. What is happening. Everything, all at once. The amount of energy is phenomenal, and contagious. I used to stand still there and try and observe everything- the sounds, smells and sights- and the character of each. Sensory overload in the best way

Thrill- To dance in that place where your role is integral to that complex, fabulous experience is a unique combination of opportunity, responsibility, authenticity and innovation. A lot all at once. 

Consider:

Your environment can have positive, neutral or negative effect on your brand. When designing, consider this at every point. Different points will have varying degrees of impact- but everything has some impact. Avoid anything in the negative category.

The connection between your environment and brand is direct- both internally and externally. The stronger the tie, the better. 

People are visual, and while we filter a good amount of 'noise' it still gets registered at some level. Appearance matters. 

Genuine trumps facade. You environment should speak to your core values, when it works, it reinforces the other key aspects of your organization. The Wizard of Oz approach is tantamount to lying, and people will see through it. It's especially toxic to your internal culture.

Ultimately your environment is just a part of the entire equation- and it does not play the lead. Architects and Interior Designers pretend the building or space define the tenor of the experience. No. Culture, engagement, service, and product win every time. The environment is merely a vessel in service to this larger objective.

Action

If you are launching an idea, its a great time to lay the perfect canvas from which to grow. Determine the basics, get them right and fill it out over time.

If you have an existing organization, assess your current environment and honestly review it relative to your brand. You might also ask a friend or peers to do the same, they will see it with fresh eyes. If your place needs work, make a list of these things in hierarchy. Many substantive improvements need not be very disruptive or expensive. If it is a total mess, make a plan to move on. 

Hire a design professional. We do a fantastic job with this kind of work, but so do many others. A great designer will read you well, and design a place that is an honest extension of you, your brand and your aspirations.   

BRANDING IS DEAD- #3 in the VIBE series

Branding is dead- maybe not dead, but really ill. Brand, Branded, Branding, Branded Environments, Brand Equity....Brand has become a a hollow word. So many people hanging their services on this simple word, but its not truly part of their practice. Brandwashing. Of course, there are agencies and firms that do excellent brand work- do your homework if your looking for services in this arena. 

Here is our perspective- 

Why do we include it in our four pillars of design strategy? 
Because true brand development is really important. 

Curating your Brand is not only important, it's an imperative. But your brand is not simply something you hire a designer to make, it is not a design exercise like your identity. Your brand is a living, evolving organism, and it has two distinct hemispheres. 

We believe the brand is the single most important component of a successful organization.

First-the two hemispheres:

Internal- The culture, gestalt, the day to day experience you, your peers and the people who work for you and the people you work for create. This is your internal brand, and it is the key to creating engaged members, retention, inspiring innovative and creativity, and doing powerful work. This 'brand' starts with the leadership and when done well, becomes the domain of every member of the organization.

External- This is viral, organic kind of brand. It's an opportunity to extend the reach of your vision well beyond your circle of influence.  Its directly linked to every single touchpoint in your client and personal interactions. It lives in the court of public opinion and can be very powerful.

Second- how to curate your brand.

There are pages and pages of writing on this subject, some of it very smart. Here is the way we look at it, in simple terms:

Get your language right. Everyone will tell their own version of the story of you- give them as many of the key words so the core message is consistent and tight.

Live your brand, and make it genuine. Your authentic self is truly an awesome thing if you let it be. If you talk the talk, walk the walk.

Don't be afraid. Your brand should be something you are a maven about. Not as a sales tool, but just because. Sales, revenue, that will follow. you just need bring all the energy you can muster to the dance.

Align the two hemispheres. If your internal and external brand attributes do not align, its trouble. Confusing your audience is just a bad idea. Make a promise to your clients that is consistent with the promise you make to your associates.  

Third-  How do I deal with my brand?

Take a minute and consider why you do what you do. Is it so your family can have security and a good living? Are you curious and like to solve problems? Are you a systematic maven and want to build the perfect machine or are you a romantic creative and want to embrace all that is beautiful in life?

What sort of organizational environment is perfect for you? A benevolent dictatorship or an entrepreneurial think tank. Open, closed? Song or dance? Chaos or Order?

If you've spent time developing your Identity, think about it. Outside of identifying you or your organization, it speaks volumes about the brand expectations.

Action- What should you do?

Live your personal brand to the fullest and be a champion of the brands you represent- your voice is powerful. If you can't be a brand ambassador of your organization, you're in the wrong place

Find three to five key qualities you espouse, your brand pillars. If you honestly consider the why of what you do, these will become apparent. Lead with them inwardly and outwardly.

Honestly, branding is easy- just look yourself in the mirror- its all there.

Giving it a voice in an understandable, distinct way requires some thought.
If you need help building your brand, don't be seduced by snappy identity work. Find a consultant that asks good questions, listens and connects your Vision, Identity, Brand and Environment.

Full Circle

We are watching a house we designed come out of the ground. It is a rewarding and exciting experience. Each visit reveals something new and unexpected.  As part of the project, we selected a handful trees to mill into lumber, and have just begun that work too. We'll use this material in the house for some doors and furnishings. Count this as a triple win- the owners get some beautiful material that is connecte to their land, we learn many new things about wood and woodworking, and some material get repurposed rather than shipped off somewhere.

Stay tuned as the project unfolds!

Homework

The opportunity to help build a personal vision is a design honor. We saturate ourselves in the minutiae of details and materials, all in an pursuit to make a place of memories, meaning and legacy. We love every design project, but reserve a special place in our hearts for the places we call home.

News and Interesting Stuff

Ideas: Hospitality & Design

We were invited by NEWH to present our case study- Revolution not Evolution to a group of professionals in the hospitality industry. The event was hosted by the Charles Luck Stone Center and was held at their studio location. We challenged the group by suggesting this premise- I bet you are not in the business you think you are- and challenged them to imagine the way hospitality and design professionals can capitalize on their expertise in this shifting emerging economy and culture.

Hospitality has long understood the nature of a brand promise and delivering on this promise consistently in every facet of your business or organization. We were thrilled by the response. This attentive group embraced both the big concept as well as the specifics. We feel rewarded when presenting to such an audience, feeling confident that thinking differently and elevating the quality of design and experience will ultimately improve all our lives.

People: VCU MFA Student Exhibition

Dropped by the opening of the MFA student exhibition last week. We are inspired by emerging designers and creatives and love to see new work. The show show featured painting, photography, film and interior environments. We captured a few shots, especially of the process work and studies. Congrats to our good friend Chris Arias, who looks forward to completing his studies this semester!