The Workplace Transformation program is based upon the concept of empowering employees by providing a range of flexible workspaces that encourage teams to innovate together.
The Challenge: Drive cultural change across the company
Rogers, a leading Canadian communications and media company was embarking on a multi-year journey to modernize their offices across the country. Looking to reinvent their workplace, it was vital to imbed Rogers’ ethos as a forward-thinking company that fosters collaboration, connection and community. In shifting to an activity-based working model, Rogers is creating workspaces that support any type of work individuals need to perform today and tomorrow.
The Solution: Innovative ideas to support ways of working and individual choice
To support an agile and collaborative culture, Rogers Workplace Transformation was developed as a National program for all its offices. The Workplace Transformation program is based upon the concept of empowering employees by providing a range of flexible workspaces that encourage teams to innovate together. Says Miyako Panalaks, Senior Manager Workplace Planning & Interior Design at Rogers, “We are not tied to the desk anymore, so why have a space that does that?” From connecting over a coffee in a social café, to collaborating in an interactive project room, employees can meet and work in a flexible space that works for them. Upon entering any location, choice is provided in a number of ways. Seating is unassigned and employees stow belongings in Teknion personal lockers. From there, they can decide where they want to work - ranging from individual spaces like focus rooms, phone booths and quiet areas to collaborative areas like huddle spaces, bookable and unbookable meeting rooms (with or without technology incorporated). Furniture like Height-adjustable Navigate desks and Interpret benches provide additional choice to move between sitting and standing. Local touches like murals and sports memorabilia are incorporated into each office to bring regional flavor into the space.
“Having a partner that can help problem solve has been a key in making all our locations successful”, explains John Mallovy, Vice President Corporate Real Estate. “Teknion doesn’t just say ‘here are the products you can pick from’, they ask us what the problem is we are trying to solve, then they come up with efficient solutions.” That includes developing custom Teknion product solutions to address specific needs. One example is the screens mounted to the height-adjustable benches in the solution centers. Balancing openness with preventing sound transmission, these custom screens provide employees the ability to move between sitting or standing without disturbing those around them or blocking them off. Concludes Nathalie Tam, Director Portfolio Planning and Workplace Strategy, “As we look post-pandemic, we know the ways in which we’ll work will change but the need to connect won’t. That experience of connecting with others and absorbing the excitement of the company has been integral to the Workplace Transformation concept and it will continue to draw our employees back.” Or as, Ted Rogers, Founder & CEO has so aptly said, “The best is yet to come.”