The pandemic reminded us of the certainty we already had in 2010 when we introduced a new workplace concept as initiator and project manager of a major Swiss bank.
We studied the problem in detail and were able to reduce the total space in large buildings in Switzerland by more than 20%. Will the pandemic create this windfall for most companies with more than 50 workplaces?
At the risk of disappointing property managers, we strongly believe so. Indeed, we can make a quite simple calculation:
• By introducing space sharing with a ratio of 1.2 (120 people per 100 spaces, or approx. 20%), we can fit more people in the same space (we are not talking about “dry” space reduction at this stage).
• By keeping teleworking to one day/week per employee, we reduce the theoretical need by 20% (for full-timers).
Combining these aspects in a very conservative way, we see that companies with more than 50 administrative places (with fewer places, sharing places is more difficult) have a potential of more than 20-30%, if not 40%, although this percentage is extremely high according to our experiences.
Most CEOs do not pay enough attention to this issue, because behind the reduction of space lies a possible optimisation of FM services and a change of culture. The benefits are threefold:
• Employees benefit from a new approach to workspace and work.
• The real estate burden is reduced.
• FM services can be adapted and rationalised.
Naturally, this approach requires a little thought, a few moments of audacity and courage, a little time to set up and a willingness to invest in the medium term (return on investment generally over 4-5 years).
Why hesitate? The arguments of business leaders who are presented with this approach do not have many arguments to put forward against these measures, apart from the company culture and the lack of will!
For those companies that need to reduce costs because income is no longer so easy to obtain, it is time to learn more, isn’t it?
Let us hear it! Good luck, good thoughts, and good reading.