Abstract/Summary

Workplace is changing. It is no longer just about working; it is about living. Bold initiatives by visionary business leaders have shown us the power of transformation that the workplace has over otherwise staid businesses drifting along with the status quo. At the same time, their competitors act to overtake them. The fact that over 40% of the Fortune 100 companies from fifteen years ago no longer exist is testament to this adapt or die reality. In this paper, we analyse the changing dynamics and identify drivers, needs, challenges and indicate approaches towards solutions. Our collective goal is to kickstart fresh thinking within organizations as to how their workplace programs can offer high value to the businesses they serve. We raise a call for a new generation of thought leaders: one who are able to identify new roads to success through integration of a creative mix of new and expanded disciplines, far beyond the current scope normally associated with physical workplace solutions. To do this successfully businesses need a laser-like focus on their challenges to be solved, and new leaders need to break traditional barriers to reach the most valuable solutions. In a sense the nature of change to which we aspire moves this work well beyond a Workplace context…… but to ignore the obvious catalytic qualities of the workplace to engender creativity, create a common sense of purpose and develop specific deliverables through a project-derived momentum would be to miss a great opportunity. We are therefore enthusiastic about continuing our search for a new generation of business improvement hosted under a workplace banner.