In episode 377, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Adam Hoy, VP and Global Head of Real Estate, the global workplace, real estate, and facilities function at PepsiCo. He’s the past president of CoreNet Global UK Chapter and hosts a podcast called the “Voice of the Occupier,” which is committed to advancing the profession and sharing insights and learnings with the wider CRE industry. Mike asks Adam about the evolving role of CRE and FM professionals and the growing need to become more oriented toward business outcomes and strategic thinking. Adam explains the importance of focusing on the needs of the company and understanding broader business strategies and talks about why he wants to see a joined-up approach between real estate and FM teams within an organization. They then explore workplace technologies, including AI and space utilization tools, as they embrace the opportunity to better inform decisions about the built environment.
Agenda
- Importance of focusing on the needs of the company and understanding the business strategy
- Evolving role of corporate real estate and FM professionals, requiring broader business acumen and the ability to drive bigger business cases
- Potential impact of technology, including AI, on the workplace, particularly in areas such as utilization data and lease administration
What you need to know: Workplace takeaways
Takeaway 1: Workplace innovation means aligning strategy with enterprise needs
To be a workplace innovator today, professionals must look beyond transactions and tactical execution. It’s about understanding the broader business strategy and ensuring that real estate and facilities decisions support those goals, Hoy explains.
He emphasizes how innovation should be grounded in the realities of the business cycle. While ambitious projects are valuable, they must be in lockstep with what the enterprise needs.
“Being an innovator is kind of thinking beyond the nuts and bolts of our day-to-day activities and thinking more about where the business is going… Workplace innovators are people that can connect those dots, can think about the broader business strategy… and then really wrap a business case around that,” he says.
“We need to keep innovating and we need to keep moving forward but never lose focus to the basic stuff that we’ve got to do as an industry.”
Takeaway 2: The role of FM and CRE leaders is evolving toward broader business acumen
Hoy describes the shift in skill sets required for success in corporate real estate. Today’s leaders must be able to build and present business cases, communicate with senior executives, and deliver joined-up services across real estate and facilities.
He also advocates for integrating real estate and facilities management into a single, seamless function.
“The best corporate real estate groups I see really are in charge of the end-to-end delivery… I think you’re kind of missing something if you split it. If I’m a business leader, I don’t want to talk to multiple people about my space. I want an internal expert team that’s providing a seamless joined-up service.”
Takeaway 3: Technology and AI are reshaping space planning and service delivery
While AI’s full impact is still emerging, Hoy sees real-time utilization data as one of the most valuable tools currently available. In fact, these technologies are already helping teams plan services more effectively.
Hoy believes AI will eventually deliver transformative change, but for now, its most promising applications are happening behind the scenes.
“Some of the most valuable information is really utilization data that we’re getting real time now… Using sensors, using utilization tools… allows us to plan for catering, for housekeeping, for all of that.”
“I think we’re at the beginning stages of it in the corporate real estate industry… I’m not sure I’ve seen the Big Bang yet… but I’m sure that’s coming.”
Workplace management insights
- The most impactful workplace strategies are those that directly support the enterprise’s current needs and business cycles.
- Innovation should not come at the expense of foundational operational excellence, and basic execution remains critical.
- The best CRE teams offer a seamless, joined-up service across real estate and facilities management, reducing complexity for internal clients.
- Real-time utilization data enables smarter planning for services like catering and housekeeping, improving efficiency and responsiveness.
- AI’s potential lies in enhancing existing tools and processes, with future breakthroughs expected to further transform the industry.
Do a deep dive into more workplace insights by exploring all Workplace Innovator podcast episodes.
