November 11, 2008
  New Gensler Survey Connects Workplace Design and the Bottom Line
Understanding shift to collaborative work mode helps companies cut costs, increase revenue
Workplace design can enhance business performance by supporting the new work modes of a knowledge economy, according to a study of office workers released October 23 by Gensler. The world-renowned architecture firm commissioned Added Value, a WPP company to conduct an online survey with a random sample of 900 participants across the U.S. representing a full spectrum of staff positions and industries. The “Gensler 2008 U.S. Workplace Survey” indicates that companies providing workplaces that are more effective for knowledge work—with as much emphasis on collaboration, learning, and socialization as on individual “heads-down” work—are seeing higher levels of employee engagement, brand equity, and profit, with profit growth up to 14 percent. "As cost control becomes an even greater business priority over the next several years, office space reductions will be a common cost-cutting strategy," says Gensler’s Executive Director Diane Hoskins in a press release. "However, companies risk creating inefficiencies if they simply shrink space and continue with the same workplace paradigm.” For a survey report or tips on workplace design in an economic downturn, visit the Gensler Web site.

kiplinger connection
Federal Reserve • The Economy • Business Costs
Federal Reserve: Facing deflation, the Fed reaches for its toolchest.
The Economy: The next big problem? Unregulated credit default swaps.
Business Costs: Good—on-line software; bad—encryption requirements.

Taking Care of Business
Letters to the Editor
This week, we have two short notes: One architect takes umbrage with our language in talking about the economy, and a former AIA president really liked Lauren Bostic’s article about how Generation Y defines diversity.

“Greenstep” Video #10 Highlights Choosing Green Materials
 Two-minute programs augment the Institute’s Walk the Walk campaign
On November 10, the AIA launched the tenth of 12 short video episodes for architects to share with clients who want to plan a new building or renovate an existing one using green building principles. “Choosing Green Materials” explains to clients how this strategy can create healthier indoor environments—and reduce the owner’s bottom line with improved building performance. (The first video is on water conservation; the second covers smart controls; the third, radiant heating and cooling; the fourth, vegetation and sun control; the fifth, the whole building approach; the sixth, green tags; the seventh, energy modeling; the eighth, green roofs; and the ninth, daylighting.)

 

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Welcome to the Business Zone
This is the place for our monthly Work-on-the-Boards survey report, quarterly Housing Trends survey report, and biannual Consensus Forecast, all by AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. You’ll also find tips for managing the business side of your practice, as well as the weekly Kiplinger Connection.