In episode 346, Mike Petrusky speaks with Ashleigh Fiora, Vice President and Head of Strategy & Sales at Striden. Her work focuses on creating customized solutions that redefine the workplace experience, fostering collaborative environments and bringing people back into the office to reconnect.
Fiora talks about the newly branded facility management division Striden, which provides outsourced hospitality and facility services to enhance the workplace experience. She and Petrusky then explore the importance of change management, employee engagement, and the integration of new technologies with a hospitality mindset to enhance employee satisfaction and collaboration. She talks about the power of in-person connections in the workplace and why FM leaders must deliver clear communication, transparency, and executive buy-in to be effective. The conversation also covers Fiora’s and Petrusky’s experiences with the IFMA community.
Agenda
- Exploration of the current state of the workplace
- Importance of in-person collaboration
- Hospitality approach to office design
- Effective change management in facility management
What you need to know: Workplace takeaways
Takeaway 1: The shift toward a hospitality-driven workplace experience can significantly enhance employee satisfaction and collaboration
A “workplace innovator” pushes boundaries and looks for new ways to enhance the workplace experience, as the modern workplace is evolving to resemble a luxury hotel or restaurant.
“As we see people returning to the office, whether it’s full time or in a hybrid work environment, companies are trying to come up with better, faster ways to redefine the workplace experience,” Fiora explains.
The focus is on creating a more hospitality-oriented environment to drive employee satisfaction and productivity. “We are definitely seeing people come back into the office for more in-person events, and that means whether it’s those big all-hands meetings on Wednesdays or Thursdays, whether they’re coming in for their board meetings, people are coming back into the office for that in-person collaboration,” she says.
Because people are coming in for new reasons, roles are changing, too. “Receptionists now are elevated to a concierge role, setting up Wi-Fi, taking your jacket, maybe they are escorting you personally to your host, getting you set up in whatever conference room you have.”
Takeaway 2: Effective change management in the workplace involves clear communication, employee buy-in, and executive support
Change management remains a critical skill in facility management, especially as companies adapt to new workplace norms.
On change, Fiora says: “It’s met with a lot of anxiety and adversity. But I think understanding, and over communicating in terms of change management is the most effective way to roll out something new to your employees. And that’s explaining, I think, three things: what it is, why we’re doing it, and what the benefit is going to be either to the employee or to the organization.”
It’s important to involve employees in the change process and start with executive buy-in. “Ultimately, what I’ve seen to be the most successful in change management is starting with the top down and having your executives really buy in and be examples of the new behavior that you’re hoping to implement,” she says.
Takeaway 3: Facility managers should leverage their networks to stay ahead of industry trends and implement innovative solutions
The role of facility managers and corporate real estate leaders is evolving, with a greater emphasis on collaboration and innovation. Facility managers should be reaching out to subject matter experts and peers to gather insights and best practices.
Fiora’s list of important questions to ask includes: “What are other people doing? What are some innovative ideas you’re seeing across the board, or what are things you’ve created for customers in our similar industry or geographic territory.”
Professionals in the field should focus on continuous evaluation and adaptation to meet the changing needs of employees. “We have been able to develop and create for customers and bring those innovative ideas to the table, sharing industry best practices and what we’re seeing in terms of workplace services,” she says.
Workplace management insights
- The workplace is evolving to include more hospitality services, such as concierge roles and elevated meeting experiences, to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.
- In-person collaboration is crucial for capturing nuanced communication and fostering innovation, which is often missed in virtual environments.
- Change management in the workplace requires overcommunication, transparency, and executive buy-in to ensure successful implementation.
- Facility managers and corporate real estate leaders should collaborate with peers and subject matter experts to stay ahead of industry trends and implement innovative solutions.
- The role of facility managers is expanding, with a greater emphasis on creating engaging and functional workspaces that support employee well-being and organizational goals.
Do a deep dive into more workplace insights by exploring all Workplace Innovator podcast episodes.
