CoreNet Global - Canadian Chapter Hosts Knoll Panel Discussion in Toronto

On Thursday, May 18, the Canadian Chapter of CoreNet Global hosted a panel discussion titled “How companies are measuring productivity in Business and the Workplace.” The panel revealed the ways in which entrepreneurs can use benchmarking tools to compare themselves with other businesses in the industry. Kylie Roth, Senior Director of Workplace Research at Knoll, moderated the panel discussion, which included the following speakers: Nadeem Shabbar, SVP & Global Head, RBC Corporate Real Estate; Sal Rabbani, Senior Partner, Consulting, Business Development Bank of Canada; Sue Bennett, Principal, and CEO of Bennet Design.

At Knoll, Kylie Roth focuses on the connection between design, the quality of the user experience and organizational outcomes. Her research findings are translated into business insights and effective planning strategies. The latest Knoll white papers include “Immersive Planning” and “Trading Floors to Fintech,” two white papers that tackle various changes in the evolving contemporary workplace.

Each panelist, belonging to different workplace environments, spoke about the various ways their respective companies have increased productivity. Nadeem Shabbar began the discussion by posing the difficult question of how one creates a space that inspires people to do good work. For a retail bank, where traffic is declining at various branches, creating a space that engages employees is imperative for productivity. RBC Corporate Real Estate offices switched from dedicated spaces, private offices, cubicles, one-to-one seating, and stationary workforces to alternative workplaces, desk sharing, open plan office, virtual meetings, collaboration zones, quiet zones, and free address. These renovations, Shabbar pointed out, greatly improved productivity and employee satisfaction.

Sal Rabbani then spoke about the importance of benchmarking at a place like the Business Development Bank of Canada. Rabbani noted how benchmarking, evaluating or checking by comparison with a standard, can increase productivity. One-third of entrepreneurs who formally measure their performance across their business said it has allowed them to grow their company profits. Rabanni offered five metrics businesses should use as benchmarks: overall level of efficiency; revenue per employee; profit per employee; profit per employee; labor productivity; and capital productivity.

The discussion ended with Sue Bennett presenting the ways in which businesses can use design to implement such tactics. Bennett has been using a process called the Discovery Initiative Guide to help companies become more productive through workplace design. She points out that it is not about lowering the square footage of an office, but about being the best in the marketplace, getting the best people, and being technologically advanced. Bennett’s guide stresses the importance of understanding the people, space, and business factors unique to each client, and provides the consulting tools for information-gathering and benchmarking, strategic reporting, and training.

The CoreNet Global Canadian Chapter is a premier association for corporate real estate professionals. The organization is committed to advancing real estate knowledge, connecting people, and promoting personal excellence. CoreNet Global, the worldwide organization, has over 7,000 members and hosts a wide variety of learning summits in major centers such as London, Atlanta and Mumbai. ♦