Is Company Culture Canceled?
With no end to the COVID-19 pandemic in sight, companies are re-evaluating their reopening strategy. Many companies have put re-entry plans on hold due to a recent spike of COVID across the country. Most employees will continue working from home for the foreseeable future and if there is an off chance they go back to the office, safety will be at the forefront limiting capacity of the office and person to person contact.
The longer employees work from home, the less connection they have with their co-workers and the company culture can begin to erode. A study by Gallup research found that “optimal engagement” occurs when employees spend 60 to 80 percent of their time working off-site (a 3-4 day work week). This means employees would still likely need a day or more on-site a week to reach “optimal engagement”. In addition, companies will have to work extra hard to build a connection with new hires that do not have a concept of what the company culture was prior to the pandemic. So is your company culture canceled?
No, your company culture isn’t canceled. Even as our working lives and hours are evolving, employees and their success should be top of mind. Below are three things to keep in mind as you navigate keeping your company culture alive while working remote.
1. Collaboration platforms
Be sure all employees have access to the same collaboration platform (i.e. skype, slack, zoom) for fast and seamless communication
Set Up fun communication channels. To encourage employees to connect socially, some businesses are setting up “WFH Channels” where employees are encouraged to post about what they are up to (i.e. workouts, pets, and hobbies).
2. Flexibility
Working from home means productivity should be emphasized over “normal” business hours. Let your employees help make decisions on when team meetings are scheduled.
3. Communication
Be very clear about when and how you expect employees to communicate. Now it’s easier than ever for employees to go MIA for extended periods of time. With employees no longer maintaining “normal” business hours, being clear on how they are expected to communicate is important.
Even after we have moved past the pandemic, many companies are planning to retain a significant work from home policy as part of their culture. Keeping employees and company culture top of mind is more important than ever, even if you plan on returning to the workplace in the coming months.
Reference: Wong, Kellie. "25 Key Remote Work Statistics for 2020." Achievers.com, 1 Apr. 2020,www.achievers.com/blog/remote-work-statistics/. Accessed 22 July 2020.
The Remote Workforce and the Great American Experiment
When companies scrambled to create a remote work model amidst the COVID-19 shutdown, the great American experiment began. Many companies prior to the shut down were curious if the remote work model would work for them. Would their employees be productive? Would they be able to attract and retain top talent? Can we maintain a remote work model long term? As we enter into our 4th month of the great American experiment, we decided to take a deeper look at the remote workforce and if it’s working or not.
Remote work sounds trendy, but it is here to stay. According to GetApp, the number of people who work remote at least once per week has grown by 400% since 2010. Additionally, a study by Buffer, found that 99% of people would choose to work remotely at least part-time, for the rest of their careers. In addition, one of the biggest challenges employers faced was the war on talent and having to hire local or relocate new hires to fill vacancies. Now, due to the increased numbers of remote workers the global workforce is up for grabs, professionals can work from anywhere in the world. This facilitates a company’s workforce to be diverse and balanced.
Over the past 3 months, employees are reporting to be more productive and overall happier than they were working in the office full time. However, there are also many challenges for the remote worker. A study by Buffer, found that 22% of remote employees reported that they have trouble unplugging after work and 19% of remote employees reported that loneliness was their biggest challenge. Both of these challenges can be addressed by utilizing platforms, such as Pukkateam or Sneek, that provide an “in-person” like experience to your teams.
What can be expected in months to come
Hiring and training new employees for companies who have never supported a 100% remote workforce model will be a challenge.
The death of the desktop computer. Companies will make sure all employees moving forward are supported with applicable software and mobile devices so they can do their job anywhere.
“Safe collaboration spaces” will start to trend in commercial real estate. Companies will focus on in-person collaboration spaces that their employees can utilize. Many companies are offering $1000 per employee to set up a home office.
Companies will start to carry less deadweight. Effort and contribution of individual employees will be more noticeable than ever before.
The overall consensus is that some companies will move to a 100% remote workforce, but most companies will work to create a “hybrid” approach which will allow some employees to work permanently remote, or all employees to work remotely for a part of the time. In order to hire top talent, companies will need to have a concise plan in place, as current research estimates that 57% of the workforce will not be willing to come into an office.
Time will tell if the reduction in on-site employees will balance out the need to increase distance between people in the workplace. The answer to these questions will determine the amount of office space needed long-term.
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Mixed-Use Dunwoody Project to Commence This Year.
‘High Street’ is set to become a reality this year in Dunwoody’s Perimeter Center.
The ‘High Street’ developers are hoping to update the Perimeter Mall area with the trendy shops, entertainment and restaurants that come along with a mixed-use project. Notably, this project with not rely on the traditional department store “anchor”- The trendy food-hall style dining and central outdoor space, along with a movie theater, will be he focal points of this modern center. A 25,000 SF center space, along with a boasted “Grand Staircase” will bring the wow-factor to the public and outdoor spaces.
‘High Street’ is set to become a reality this year in Dunwoody’s Perimeter Center.
The ‘High Street’ developers are hoping to update the Perimeter Mall area with the trendy shops, entertainment and restaurants that come along with a mixed-use project. Notably, this project with not rely on the traditional department store “anchor”- The trendy food-hall style dining and central outdoor space, along with a movie theater, will be he focal points of this modern center. A 25,000 SF center space, along with a boasted “Grand Staircase” will bring the wow-factor to the public and outdoor spaces.
“Our intent is that this really becomes the primary social hub, one of the core elements, of the entire Dunwoody community, and (we) really want the community and its residents to have a sense of ownership over it,” said James Linsley, the president of GID Development Group, standing over a 3D model of the High Street design on Wednesday.
With current plans to see the first phase opening sometime in 2022, demolition of two near-by office buildings will make way for the second phase of the project. The second phase will include office, retail, and hotel space, along with 2,400 residences.
Discover Dunwoody, the official destination marketing organization for the city of Dunwoody, released research showing that visitors as well as residents are looking for dining and entertainment venues where they can spend more time. High Street is currently set to fit the bill, with comparisons to its neighbors The Avalon in Alpharetta and The Battery in Cobb.
“There’s the mall, which is great, but it’s a little bit of a different generation of product. This is where the new world of retail and mixed-use real estate is headed.” James Linsley.
Armour Yards
Armour Yards is described as being located at the convergence of car and foot access- where highway, Beltline, and Path 400 meet. This is the newest in mixed use development that has been trending all throughout Atlanta recently.
Armour Yards is described as being located at the convergence of car and foot access- where highway, Beltline, and Path 400 meet. This is the newest in mixed use development that has been trending all throughout Atlanta recently.
"What makes Armour Yards so attractive is that it offers creative, loft-office type space that is so popular with tech firms; and it is sandwiched conveniently between Buckhead and Midtown and alongside the Beltline and a major interstate. As the planned projects continue to deliver, it will become one of the most thriving districts in the city." -Jon Christensen, SVP Wildmor Advisors.
Phase 1 of the project promises four buildings totaling 190,000 SF, with plans to expand to 300,000 SF. As with most mixed-use projects, Armor Yards boasts a work/life balanced environment. No completion date has been released from the developers at the time of this blog.
Notable Amenities
Flexible, Loft-office workspaces
Covered parking
Outdoor patio and terrace space (both public and private)
Coffee house and unique restaurants
Social events in partnership with SweetWater Brewery, American Spirit Works, and Fox Brothers BBQ
Direct Access to Beltline and Path 400
“Planned” Marta Shuttle
Bike Rentals
Fitness Studio
No. 18: A New Co- Working Space in Buckhead
No. 18 is the newest spot to be in Atlanta Co- working spaces. With another two locations in Stockholm, this will be the first No. 18 office in the United States.
No. 18 is the newest spot to be in Atlanta Co- working spaces. With another two locations in Stockholm, this will be the first No. 18 office in the United States. The Wildmor Advisors team had a chance to tour the new offices located in the Shops of Buckhead. Upon walking in, you feel as if you have left Atlanta and entered into another country or century. This feeling comes from the eclectic design, which was done by a European interior designer. We learned that he travelled to numerous antique stores across the country to purchase pieces for this location. There is a mix of bright colors, fun artwork, and professional offices. Coined “A cosmopolitan members’ club for businesses”, this new co- working space is definitely unlike anything we have seen before.
Companies can rent anywhere from 1 to 14 person offices. There is also a membership ($330/ month) that will allow access to the open areas to work as you please. Additionally, there are 5 conference rooms and different event spaces available for members to rent out. Breakfast and lunch will be available for members and guests daily. The chef, Desmon Short, will focus on seasonal meals with organic and locally sourced foods. There are outdoor patios to work on as well as private “telephone rooms”. Overall No.18 is stepping up the co- working space game. Let us know if you are interested in becoming a member or touring and we can help you get that set up!