Welcome back to Collective Bookmarks. This week’s newsletter is a 7 minute read and is sponsored by HQO, the world’s leading workplace experience platform.
Last week we had a great community session with Rob Sadow from Scoop discussing the latest from the FlexIndex. You can find a link to the session below and also see it in the community as well.
We’ll be taking the next two weeks off from the newsletter for the Thanksgiving holidays but keep an eye out for more updates from Collective on our LInkedIn channels and in the community.
In This Week’s Issue:
- Three Things You Should Know
- Books We’re Reading: Writing for Busy Readers
As always, if you have feedback or questions please reach out.
Three Things You Should Know
From The World of Work and Place
1. Forrester Predictions for 2024
In this recent Forrester article J.P. Gownder provides some predictions for 2024. They state that in 2023, the workplace faced numerous challenges, including inflation affecting employees’ buying power, hybrid work arrangements due to return-to-office mandates, and external factors like climate impacts and wars reshaping work environments. Employee strikes, walkouts, and negotiations became more common as the commitment of employers to employee experience (EX) was questioned. However, they note that in 2024, the adoption of generative AI-based tools is expected to benefit both employees and employers, boosting productivity. Their predictions for 2024 include a decrease in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) investments, declining employee engagement and culture energy, and AI causing disruptions in recruiting. Despite challenges, organizations that prioritize EX and invest in AI recruiting and skills intelligence can enhance productivity, reduce attrition, and foster creativity in the workforce.
2. You Focus Differently on Zoom
A recent study in Imaging Neuroscience has found that engaging in video calls or Zoom meetings results in lower levels of certain brain activities and social arousal compared to in-person interactions. The research suggests that relying heavily on video conferencing platforms for education, telemedicine, professional exchanges, or personal interactions could have social consequences. The study measured various factors, including eye movements, pupil size, brain activity (EEG), and brain blood flow (fNIRS), and found significant differences between virtual and real-life interactions in almost every aspect measured. These findings align with previous research indicating that virtual interactions may be less effective than in-person ones, with people talking less adeptly and brain activity less likely to sync up across screens. While the study highlights the limitations of video calls, it also encourages improvements in virtual communication technology, such as integrating cameras into screens, reducing latency, or exploring augmented reality solutions, while acknowledging that face-to-face interactions are irreplaceable. Check out the full article and link to study below.
3. The Evolution of WFH
In their latest working paper the team at Stanford takes a look at the evolution of working from home. They note that as of mid-2023, the prevalence of working from home during the fall season constitutes 28% of the total paid workdays for individuals aged 20 to 64 in the United States. This figure marks a significant shift, being four times higher than the rate recorded in 2019 and a staggering tenfold increase compared to the mid-1990s. In the paper they explore the reasons behind this sustained trend of working from home. They then dive into the varying work-from-home rates based on significant factors and examine why the United States surpasses other countries in its adoption of this practice. They also discuss its implications on wages, productivity, and the pace of innovation over the next five years.
They note that U.S. based business executives anticipate only modest increments in work-from-home rates within their own organizations. However, several factors suggest that the shift towards remote work will carry on. These factors include the ongoing adaptation of management practices and continuous advancements in technologies, products, and tools designed to support and enhance remote work experiences. A link to the full paper is below.
Together with
HqO converges data, technology, and the customer to transform and optimize the complete end-user experience of physical space through a powerful suite of applications and services.
And today – we are excited to tell The Collective community about our new product, Intelligence.
Intelligence is the ultimate real estate and analytics engine that delivers the first and only industry standard for assessing and benchmarking workplace performance. With Intelligence, you can:
- Access global real estate insights gathered from 1.3+ million employees and 8,000+ workplaces, powered by the trusted methodology of Leesman, an HqO company.
- Gain location-specific insights by deploying Intelligence across your portfolio.
To learn more, speak with one of our experts.
One Big Thing
“By developing a mature EX program, your organization can drive higher productivity, lower attrition, and more creativity.” – J.P. Gownder
That’s It For This Week
We Appreciate You
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