Alton
Asmodee
360 Workplace case study
Dartford
Biochemical Manufacturing Company (Confidential)
The Brief
Our client, a global leader in formulated products for the pharmaceutical industry, embarked on a transformative journey to modernise its business and enhance the workplace experience for its employees.
The focus was on creating a "magnet" to retain existing employees and attract prospective talent aligning with company’s mission to improve health and wellness. The initial project scope included refurbishing the 1st and 2nd floors of their head office in Kent, with a broader vision to establish global workplace standards.
About:
Workplace Strategy
Where:
Dartford
What We Did
The objectives for this project, undertaken in collaboration with 360 Workplace, aimed to enhance employee engagement and establish a destination workplace. The goals included implementing a future-of-work programme to modernise the office, attracting and retaining talent, defining a flexible homeworking policy, addressing the needs of both factory-based and non-factory-based staff, and
fostering a collaborative and agile work environment.
The shift towards hybrid working, hot desking, and reducing private offices by 30% marked a significant step change in working practices. Insights from the leadership visioning workshop emphasised the importance of technology, cross-building collaboration, and the necessity for a dynamic and attractive workspace.
We conducted an extensive survey to understand employee requirements and aspirations. The majority of respondents expressed a strong sense of community within the organisation. While remote working was viewed positively for work-life balance, concerns were raised regarding connectedness. Survey results highlighted the need for modernisation, more collaborative spaces, improved catering facilities, and enhanced wellbeing amenities.
The approach involved comprehensive engagement with the workforce through surveys, workshops, and interviews with various departments. The aim was to create an evidence-based design brief and define workplace requirements. Integration between the head office and their adjacent manufacturing facility, was a priority, ensuring a cohesive community.
The Outcome
The creation of a modern, agile, and inviting environment was a key focus, alongside incorporate the brands’ visual identity. The project also introduced choice and flexibility through agile spaces, zoning for various teams to enhance collaboration, availability of several meeting spaces, social areas, and upgraded hospitality facilities.
Additionally, there was a significant emphasis on wellbeing, technological enhancements for agile collaboration, outdoor space upgrades, and future-proofing for growth.
To support the transition to agile working, a change management initiative was rolled out. This included education on workplace settings, a change champions group, and the establishment of guiding principles for behaviours. Technology adoption, such as a desk/room booking system, and HR initiatives like a more casual dress code and benefits for office-based work contributed to a holistic change management strategy.