Posts Tagged ‘corenet’

Workplace Trends for the New Year: We have heard all this before – or have we?

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Michael Norris

Each New Year, corporate researchers, trend spotters, and soothsayers publish a plethora of Top Tens and Trend Reports; no stone on the subject matter is left unturned. All of these pieces attempt to look into the future, dole out advice on how to do things differently for the upcoming year, and how to start anew.  The workplace is no different, yet still, I am excited about 2013 Sodexo Workplace Trends Report. This year’s report and its collective research, offers a unique perspective on the issues being evaluated at the corporate Board Room level about the “at work” environment—the ins and outs of what are essential to successful individual and organizational performance.

To boil it down, as conversations in the C-Suite continue to place more emphasis on how to maximize resources at every function and level of the organization, these trends will continue to grow in importance, relevance and application to business.  Now, more than ever, executives should be keenly aware of what is driving the health and productivity of their people. Otherwise, efforts to maximize resources are moot.

Click on the picture for a preview of the 2013 Sodexo Workplace Trends Report

The upcoming report, set for release January 28, 2013, identifies 12 key trends impacting the “new normal” of a workplace where volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity are part of the daily grind. The report’s expert contributors, like principle researcher and behavioral scientist Rachel Permuth, PhD, MSPH, Sodexo; Tom Stat, Founder/Partner, Eleven Consulting Group; David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, American Psychological Association; and Jim Ware and Paul Carder of the Occupiers Journal, help us understand how continued focus on integration of workplace solutions into strategic plans, not as tactics, is imperative to the future of the success of organizations.

Key Workplace Trends for 2013 include:

  1. The Built Environment’s Crucial Role in Organization Performance
  2. Superstar Recruitment – the Power of Community
  3. Inspiring a Connection to People, Community and Brand Through CSR
  4. A Contemporary View of Inclusion and its Effect on Psychological Health
  5. 21st Century Mentoring
  6. Thriving in the Cloud
  7. Ushering in the New Era of Recognition
  8. Facilities Management: A Strategy, Not a Tactic
  9. Data Reporting OUT; Predictive Modeling IN
  10. International Design and Construction; a Shifting Paradigm
  11. The Changing Office…Literally
  12. Integration as THE Solution

Our findings clearly show that organizations are responding to a “people-and quality of life” centric approach, not just HR-driven thought leadership.  In addition, leading facilities organizations like CoreNet and IFMA (International Facilities Management Association) are finding common ground at the executive level. This preview of the reports twelve trends illustrates that “people-centric” approaches will yield positive outcomes and drive more value than past brick and mortar strategies.

Stay tuned for the release of our full 2013 Sodexo Workplace Trends Report next week on SodexoUSA.com. It is something you will want to share with your organization, and include in your strategic planning for the coming year. You can also join the conversation now in our Workplace Experience Group on LinkedIn and let us know how your organization is addressing these trends.

by Michael Norris, COO Sodexo North America  & Market President Corporate Services

Smart CRE Drives Smart Business

Friday, October 5th, 2012

Gary Herald

Aligning with the C-suite is traditionally top of mind for any progressive executive, but perhaps less traditionally, the role of the facility or corporate real estate manager is on the move…to the C-suite.  Corporate Real Estate execs with a seat at the table no longer think in terms of traditional metrics, such as cost per square foot and occupancy rates, but aligning with the strategic imperatives of the C-Suite. 

These include attracting and retaining top talent, increasing image value and reputation, along with productivity, innovation, and speed to market.  This new way of thinking is transforming the industry and at CoreNet in Orlando this week (#CNGOrlando), the industry will clearly illustrate how smart facilities management drives smart business.  

The function of corporate real estate is now held accountable to deliver value to the larger organization it serves.  To use a phrase from CoreNet’s playbook, let’s REimagine how the successful alignment of assets and infrastructure drive overall business results.  Innovation in the built environment not only reduces cost, but also maximizes collaboration and human performance.  In maximizing human performance, the organization achieves innovation and speed to market. 

Two issues that every executive will agree are critical to success.  RE-imagination true alignment with the business.

The future vision for our business effectively aligns the assets and infrastructure of an organization to meet its current and future challenges. 

In a time when accountability is at an all time high due to short development cycles and fierce competition in the marketplace, the need for total alignment and effective collaboration has never been clearer.  The larger return on investment is the success of the facilities management and real estate function and what they can bring the organization by driving business outcomes.

Connect with Sodexo Facilities Solutions at CoreNet or follow the conversation on Twitter #CNGOrlando through @SDXSolutions.

Gary Herald is senior vice president of Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions.

REimagine: Measuring for True Value

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

David Love

Creating organizational value and aligning with the c-suite is top of mind for progressive real estate and facilities executives.  They no longer think in terms of traditional metrics, such as cost per square foot and occupancy rates, but aligning with the strategic imperatives of the C-Suite.  These include attracting and retaining top talent, increasing image value and reputation, along with productivity, innovation, and speed to market.  This new way of thinking is transforming the industry and has us all REimagining success.  REimagine is the focus of the upcoming Corenet Global Summit in San Diego, and I am excited to be taking part in such an exciting event.

Driving business imperatives.  REimagine the function of corporate real estate; and how it delivers value to the larger organization it serves.  REimagine how the successful alignment of assets and infrastructure drive overall business results.  Innovation in the built environment not only reduces cost, but also maximizes collaboration and human performance.  In maximizing human performance, the organization achieves innovation and speed to market.  Two issues that every executive will agree are critical to success.  REimagination equals true alignment with the business.

Click on CoreNet's summit logo for a direct link to their upcoming event homepage.

Measuring what matters. REimagine how you look at results and how the data identifies problems and opportunities which provide a platform for change. More importantly, think of ways that your data answers the critical questions of the c-suite.  Does the physical space lend itself to being a company of employee choice?  Does the space promote conviviality?  What is the ratio of time that employees spend by themselves vs. in joint sessions?  Is that ratio correct for the work function?  Are the ergonomics of the space aligned with the job function – thus reducing health care claims?  In today’s knowledge economy, return on investment is giving way to Value on investment.  Corporate real estate executives who effectively enable the intangibles of community, knowledge, and innovation will emerge leaders in their field and organization. 

The REimagination-ing of our business effectively aligns the assets and infrastructure of an organization to meet its current and future challenges.  In a time when product development cycles are shorter than ever, competition is fierce, and the best talent is harder to find, the need for total alignment and effective collaboration has never been clearer.  The larger return on investment is the success of the facilities management and real estate function and what they can bring the organization by driving business outcomes.

Join Sodexo and other industry leaders as we REimagine, REorient, REignite and REinvent what we do and how we do it. Connect with Sodexo Facilities Solutions at CoreNet (booth 225) or follow the conversation on Twitter #CNGSanDiego through @SDXSolutions.

David Love is a vice president of Facilities Solutions, Sodexo