Discover the future of intelligent worktech at our October product announcement.Register in Americas/EMEA timezone   andregister in APAC timezone.

“A Different Way of Working” – Launching the World’s First Neighborhood Work Club

Kayla Gottschalk, SFP, FMG is Launch Lead at Switchyards, the world’s first neighborhood work club, where she is a passionate advocator within the built environment. She believes the physical space truly enhances the overall human experience. Host Mike Petrusky talks to Kayla about her facilities management and workplace career journey as a young professional who … Continue reading "“A Different Way of Working” – Launching the World’s First Neighborhood Work Club"

“A Different Way of Working” – Launching the World’s First Neighborhood Work Club

Listen On Your Favorite Platform

Kayla Gottschalk, SFP, FMG is Launch Lead at Switchyards, the world’s first neighborhood work club, where she is a passionate advocator within the built environment. She believes the physical space truly enhances the overall human experience. Host Mike Petrusky talks to Kayla about her facilities management and workplace career journey as a young professional who entered the field on a mission to lead space transformations, improve business operations, and create globally inspiring spaces.

Agenda

  • Kayla’s role at Switchyards and the concept of neighborhood work clubs
  • The importance of technology and data in workplace management
  • The future of work and the importance of workplace and facilities teams in companies

What you need to know: Workplace takeaways

Takeaway 1: Switchyards is expanding the notion of workspaces, emphasizing neighborhood work clubs over traditional coworking spaces.

Kayla Gottschalk, the Launch Lead for Switchyards, emphasized the importance of creating neighborhood work clubs, which are consumer-facing, instead of traditional B2B coworking spaces. “The easiest way to think of a Switchyard is it’s a membership coffee place or coffee shop to go to,” she explains. Rather than booking a desk or office for a whole day, members of these clubs typically work for a few hours a day, a couple of days a week.

Takeaway 2: The use of technology and data analysis is essential for improving workplace efficiency and employee experience.

Throughout the conversation, Gottschalk discussed the importance of utilizing technology and data to enhance employee experience and overall productivity. “A lot of folks are trying to use technology more to just be better at what they’re doing,” she stated. She further emphasized the need for better automation and utilizing technology to view what’s happening in building operations or with employee experience in real time.

Takeaway 3: Facility and workplace teams are fundamental to any company, contributing to the smooth operation of buildings and impacting employee culture.

Gottschalk highlighted the importance of facility and workplace teams and the impact they have on employee culture. “Workplace and facility teams are very important and valuable to any company. When you lose them, you’re not necessarily adding more risk to just how your buildings are being operated, but you’re also going to be impacting your employee culture,” she argued. In this context, she underscored the value of these teams as essential to maintaining the smooth operation of buildings and fostering a positive work culture.

Takeaway 4: The future of work will likely involve a more holistic and strategic approach to managing workplaces, incorporating elements of design, architecture, and business operations.

Gottschalk touched on the need for a more strategic approach to managing workplaces, one that integrates elements of design, architecture, and business operations. “I went in to go to architecture school and then our dean presented to say that you can condense by continue going into architecture or construction management or facility management,” Gottschalk recalled. This approach, she suggested, provides numerous opportunities within the FM industry and allows for a more balanced and comprehensive view of facility management.

Workplace management insights

  • Companies are adopting flexible work policies and third places like Switchyards are becoming popular.
  • The facilities management industry is embracing change and using technology to improve operations and employee experience.
  • There are numerous tech options available for companies focusing on employee experience or culture, making it complex to choose the right one.
  • Facility management teams are crucial to companies as they not only manage building operations but also impact employee culture.

Do a deep dive into more workplace insights by exploring all Workplace Innovator podcast episodes


Avatar photo

By

As the host of both the Workplace Innovator Podcast and the Asset Champion Podcast, Mike's role at Eptura is to share thought leadership with CRE, FM, and IT leaders in the digital and hybrid workplace. As an in-demand public speaker, Mike engages audiences with his focus on the human element of workplace and facility management at International Facility Management Association, CoreNet, and other industry events.

You might also like

Quick guide for Autodesk University 2024: The need-to-know on BIM for FM

To get the most from the in-person and online sessions, it’s helpful to already have a good working knowledge of BIM for FM, from what it is to the ways you can implement it. 

How to align space forecasting with company goals

Every workplace has goals. These goals might be financial, they might be customer-oriented, and they may be mission-driven. Whatever the goals of your organization, every department needs to work to achieve them. As a facilities manager, you need to make sure that your space forecasting strategy works in alignment with the strategic goals of your workplace.

Qualities of a successful workplace experience manager

As the workplace experience (WX) becomes an even bigger priority for business leaders, the role of the workplace experience manager is gaining more recognition.

Ready to learn more?

Sign up to stay in the loop on new product updates, the latest innovations in worktech, and tips & tricks to help you work your world.