How AI and Flexibility Are Reshaping the Future of the Office Workplace

Presented by VTS

Propmodo Technology

By Franco Faraudo · October 28, 2024

Greetings,

This week, Propmodo Technology is diving into tenant experience with the support of our friends at VTS. Learn how VTS Activate can personalize your tenants’ and residents’ connection to your building and unlock everything you offer.

Tensions are rising at Amazon as Matt Garman, one of the top executives, doubled down on the new five-day-per-week in-office policy, set to begin in January. Garman claims that 90 percent of employees he’s spoken to are on board with the change, and for those who aren’t, he’s offering them a choice to leave. 

Gorman argues that in-person collaboration is the key to innovation, which can’t be replicated with the current hybrid schedule. But many employees aren’t exactly thrilled, pointing to wasted commute time and a lack of evidence that more office days lead to better outcomes. How will this bold stance play out in a competitive tech environment where giants like Google and Microsoft still stick to more flexible hybrid schedules?

Speaking of Google, CEO Sundar Pichai is proudly defending the company's legendary perks—especially those delicious free meals. Despite scaling back on some office amenities, Pichai insists that Google's workplace culture, complete with kombucha on tap and freshly baked cookies, drives creativity and productivity. With 90 percent of job offers accepted, Google has some proof these perks do help persuade talent to come on board.

Another familiar name that has been in the news lately is Adam Neumann. He has announced that his new apartment concept Flow is also pivoting into shared workspaces, but this time for residential buildings.

One of the emerging trends influencing workplaces is inclusive design. This new school of thought holds offices to higher standards than just ADA compliance, making them accessible to everyone. This same principle is also being applied to those with neurodivergence who might need things like reduced ambient noise or quiet rooms. Some offices are even experimenting with tech-free rooms to help give workers a break from the screens that have seemed to permeate every part of our daily lives.

AI is also starting to have an impact not just on office demand, but on office design. Architects and designers are starting to use AI to supercharge their ability to create new layout concepts or bring in new design elements.

Here are some of the most important stories around tenant experience technology.

Let’s go!

Presented by VTS

Drive adoption of your properties, over and over again

VTS Activate is the app that personalizes your tenants’ and residents’ connection to your building and unlocks everything you offer.

With VTS Activate, tenants and residents get an app experience they love that allows them to access spaces using Apple Wallet, submit service requests, invite visitors, discover, book, buy, and more—all in one place.

And for property teams, VTS Activate provides a powerful, consolidated platform to manage everything from work orders, visitors, building access, and tenant communications to improve operations and deliver an exceptional experience.

Bytes

Planting a flag
A new concept is being promoted in the corporate world called a “flagship office.” Like flagship retail locations, these flashy headquarters provide uniqueness and authenticity that help build corporate culture and company identity.

One man’s scam
A man has been convicted of insider trading for using a shell company to make a bid for WeWork when it was in bankruptcy. The strip mall owner had bought options in the company and stood to make millions from the bump in stock price that the news of the bid would provide. Now he faces up to 20 years in prison.

More Propmodo Technology

Propmodo Technology is edited by Franco Faraudo with contributions from readers like you and the Propmodo team.

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