A new approach to workplaces

For decades, organisations have viewed the functions of People & Culture and Property as separate entities. 

The former focused on workforce engagement, talent strategies, and leadership development, while the latter managed physical workspaces as financial assets, often sitting under Finance or Operations. 

But what if the future of work calls for a fundamental shift — one where workplaces are no longer just ‘assets’ to optimise, but strategic tools designed to enhance human potential?

At LEGO, they’ve already embraced this shift. Their workplace function now reports into their Chief People Officer, rather than Operations or Finance. Why? Because as workplace leaders at LEGO explain, when you see real estate as an asset, you focus on optimising the space itself. But under People & Culture, the goal shifts from optimising an asset based on cost and efficiency, to maximising people’s performance potential.

This subtle change is reframing how organisa...

Bringing your business story and aspirational culture to life

Your workplace isn’t just a physical space; it’s a cultural canvas. 

It’s where your organisation’s vision, values, and purpose come to life — connecting employees and clients in a meaningful way.

When you think of iconic brands like Apple, their products are just one part of the story. Their sleek, welcoming stores and thoughtfully designed workplaces are integral to the holistic experience they deliver. These intentional workspaces reflect the sentiment of their vision, and purpose: simplicity, innovation, and creativity.

For organisations that want to embody their purpose in every interaction, the takeaway is clear: a space designed with strategic intent becomes a powerful tool for telling your brand story and cultivating aspirational culture.

Why a Workplace Strategy matters for CEOs and People & Culture Managers

A well-executed workplace strategy can transform your office into a space that actively communicates...

It’s not just about what you save, it’s about what you gain 

*Spoiler alert* It will come as no surprise that this article concludes that absolutely yes, a Workplace Strategy is worth the investment — Workplace Strategies are core to what we do at COMUNiTI. But what might surprise you is the returns that the right Workplace Strategy can deliver, beyond savings per m2. 

You see, not all Workplace Strategies are created equal. 

There are Workplace Strategies that just give you a design brief, and this might help you improve the aesthetics of your workplace and save some square meterage costs. ✅

And then there are Workplace Strategies that unlock a much bigger return on your investment. These Workplace Strategies are data-driven and strategically tailored to your organisation’s vision, goals, values, unique brand story, aspirational culture, and operational needs. ✅✅✅

They are developed by Workplace Strategists who know how to form a much deeper understanding of your business and ...

What is the role of a workplace strategist?

A guide for People & Culture leaders

The role of a Workplace Strategist has gained a lot of attention post-pandemic as businesses focus on attracting and retaining talent and enticing people back into the office. 

But what exactly does a Workplace Strategist do, and how can we help People & Culture leaders drive employee engagement?

💫  What we do

Workplace Strategists leverage design thinking principles with an analytical business mindset. 

We create a strategic framework that captures the complex essence of your business — your unique operational structure, how it functions, how employees interact, and how your office space can support these dynamics. 

Rather than jumping straight into the planning phase and putting desks and offices onto a floor plan, a Workplace Strategist knows how to transcend aesthetics and deliver a workspace that aligns with your company’s mission, values, and goals, while elevating the employee experience a...

First published on COMUNiTI, September 2024

Making the office better than home

Commentary on return-to-office mandates certainly heated up in recent weeks following the NSW Premier’s directive for employees across the public service to work principally from an approved workplace. While this mandate appears to be less about concerns relating to employee productivity and more to do with the reactivation and revitalisation of the city centres [a whole other conversation!], employee reactions to mandates remain unchanged.


While some organisations are mandating employees return to the office, others are exploring a motivation-based approach, with the state of their workplace being a key consideration.

And, it’s an important strategy.

The average workplace experience, as measured through the Leesman Index score (Lmi) has increased by nearly four points from 64.3 pre-pandemic to 67.9 post-pandemic. Organisations are clearly investing in workplace improvements to make the office more app...

First published on COMUNiTI, August 2024

How workplace strategy helps teams 'live the values'

Is your workplace helping or hindering company culture?

When I engage with new clients, I am quickly curious about their company values. Whether they are written in a strategy document, printed and hung on the walls, or just shared as a general feeling of what's important - it's crucial to for us understand whether the physical workspace drives values-aligned behaviours. 

So often we find that the office layout and design is really misaligned.

What do I mean?

When creating a new workplace we can influence people to act in a way that aligns with the organisation’s desired outcomes. I do this by introducing different types of work spaces and zoning areas to consolidate similar types of activities and environmental cues like texture and colour. This thinking is based on nudge theory, which is a behavioural science  concept that proposes we can influence the behaviours and decisi...

Budget-friendly ideas to start your workplace transformation

First published on COMUNiTI, April 2024

Struggling to figure out how to improve your workspace with limited funds?

I understand the challenge of upgrading existing spaces on a tight budget. In my line of work, I’m often met with this remark: “...but I don’t have a million dollars to redesign the space!” 

Fear not! 

Here are some creative and budget-friendly ideas to kickstart your workplace transformation. 

👀 OPTIMISE THE BASICS

• Never underestimate the power of a good de-clutter and clean! Clear unnecessary items from filing cabinets, shelves and corridors, organise storage spaces and streamline work areas. You’ll be amazed at how much extra space you’ll feel like you’ve gained. Engage employees by turning the cleanup into a team activity or competition.
• Feel like a Meerkat every time you poke your head over a high partition? Consider removing bulky partitions and replacing them with sleek dividers to open up the...

What’s the right solution for you?

First published on COMUNiTI, March 2024

As a workplace strategist I often get asked: "What's the best flexible work option: hot-desking, activity-based work or hybrid work?"

The answer isn't straightforward, and what I have learned is that people tend to use the terms interchangeably when they are all very different things.

Hot-desking:

Hot-desking became popular in the early 2000s when laptops and wireless connectivity meant employees didn’t have to work from a fixed desk.

My verdict: 😕

I am not a fan of hot-desking. No matter how it might be ‘sold’ to employees, hot-desking is really about cramming more people into less space without any added amenities.

Activity-based work (ABW):

ABW and hot-desking often get confused, but they are not the same thing. ABW has surged in popularity in recent years as hand-held devices and cloud-based apps enabled even more work flexibility. Technology aside, ABW is also being fuelled by evolving workpl...