COVID-19 has changed the way the world works—and the way it wants to work. Most companies now agree that a hybrid way of working is the way of the future.
Tech companies, in particular, were quick to realise that this type of flexible arrangement had unexpected benefits for access to talent, employee satisfaction, and the company’s bottom line. When everyone went virtual in 2020, many tech companies enjoyed a major boom. Zoom’s 2020 revenue, for example, increased by 326 per cent over the previous year, and the company projects 43 per cent revenue growth for 2021.
Many tech companies, including Microsoft, Coinbase, and Twitter, led the charge in adopting a permanent hybrid workplace model as early as last summer. As these and other companies transition to new workplace models, grow quickly, and expand into new markets, they face many challenges.
WeWork’s products and solutions can help create flexible workspace solutions. They allow companies to easily navigate the complexities of office property at scale. Here’s how six global tech companies partnered with WeWork to solve some of their biggest challenges.
An internet services company reduces commuting time on public transport
The challenge: an internet services company with more than 2,000 employees in two New York City boroughs wanted to reduce its employees’ public transport commute to central headquarters. It wanted to provide remote employees with workspace near their homes and also avoid the possible transmission of COVID-19 that could happen during a public transport commute.
The solution: the company partnered with WeWork to provide workers in the city with WeWork All Access passes, which allow employees access to many flexible workspace options closer to their homes. Additionally, dedicated spaces with flexible terms enable the company to expand its footprint across the city.
The result: employees working from home now have access to a desk, conference room, or open space at various WeWork locations in the city. They can work uninterrupted in a quiet, socially distanced office environment. Employees can book conference rooms at their preferred location to collaborate with colleagues. As a result, commute times are considerably shorter, and employees have more choice when it comes to finding a suitable workspace.
A global tech firm improves productivity
The challenge: a Fortune 100 tech company headquartered in New York City wanted to de-densify its main office. It also wanted to improve productivity by reducing the time employees spent commuting to and from work and meetings.
The solution: the company provided all their employees with WeWork All Access passes, essentially expanding their campus citywide. The vast majority of residents (96 per cent) in Manhattan live within a 15-minute walk or cycle ride of a WeWork location.
The result: since most of the firm’s employees live within easy walking or cycling distance of a WeWork location, the firm’s employees can work or meet anywhere that’s convenient for them on any given day. As a result, commute time was reduced to as little as 15 minutes, and workers gained valuable work time that led to increased productivity.
An on-demand delivery company enjoys peace of mind with transferability
The challenge: an on-demand delivery company was facing uncertainty with portfolio planning due to COVID-19. At the same time, it was experiencing rapid growth and needed to attract new talent in the US, Europe, and Asia. It needed a flexible office space solution that would enable it both to attract talent and to scale quickly to respond to ever-changing business needs.
The solution: WeWork had all the space the delivery company needed to set up regional hubs in the locations they desired, and the ability to identify and support the firm’s changing and emerging needs. The company partnered with WeWork to create a solution that protects the company against uncertainty. Transferability (a member’s ability to transfer commitment across WeWork assets and services) gives the company peace of mind. Taking on more space also secures the firm strong discounts across its portfolio of assets.
The result: WeWork’s wide range of product and usage options enabled the company to provide its global workforce with well-designed workspaces. The intentionally designed spaces and all the WeWork amenities also allow the company to scout and retain talent.
A fintech firm needs flexible property to meet changing needs
The challenge: a financial technology company was reassessing its current headquarters and portfolio strategy in light of a distributed workforce and remote-first workplace strategy. The firm refocused its property priorities in favour of a hub-and-spoke model, so it needed to take on more flexible space.
The solution: the firm worked with WeWork to combine and customise products like dedicated spaces and WeWork All Access passes to provide its employees with workspace no matter where they were on the map. WeWork’s global footprint and flexible terms give the company the ability to scale with ease as its needs change.
The result: the resulting hub-and-spoke model offers employees the flexibility to choose where to work, whether it’s a location close to home or near the hotel while on a business trip. In addition to having access to hundreds of WeWork locations, employees can enjoy dedicated spaces at certain locations, where they can meet and collaborate with colleagues. No matter where employees end up, WeWork’s purposefully designed offices foster productivity and can help make employees feel more connected to the company.
A social media company serves the community from a customised space in Brazil
The challenge: a social media company expanding into Brazil learnt that the country has a fairly limited pool of skilled tech workers. The highly innovative company developed a dual-purpose solution: they would provide free programming classes for people in underserved communities while serving as an accelerator for local social-impact startups. They just needed the right space for it.
The solution: the company partnered with WeWork to create a custom-designed, full-floor workspace with a variety of different spaces: administrative offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, social lounges, and individual work areas. Flexible terms make it possible for the company to easily adapt to change without a long-term lease holding it back.
The result: the company’s WeWork space is an incubator for tech talent and an important source of support for local startups, serving around 10,000 people in the community each year. Flexible, reconfigurable design enabled the company to create spaces for nearly any use, from educational programmes with breakout groups to spaces for networking events, talks, and heads-down work sessions.
An e-commerce company gets help scaling into new markets
The challenge: an e-commerce firm wanted to reach new markets in locations where it determined a corporate headquarters wasn’t financially feasible. The company’s special security requirements and the large amount of space it needed in multiple global locations would require a large output of capital expenditure.
The solution: the company partnered with WeWork to create decentralised offices in key locations worldwide. From dedicated half-floor and full-floor layouts to multiple-floor configurations, all of the firm’s decentralised offices are equipped with a strong, custom-built network and security IT infrastructure.
The result: WeWork’s flexible terms and large presence in global markets made it easy for the tech firm to quickly scale while reducing capital expenditure. Employees in all of the company’s locations worldwide have access to dedicated workspace, so they have a space for collaboration, innovation, as well as social interaction. Design cohesion across different locations promotes a sense of company culture regardless of where in the world the office is.
Flexible workspace is the new future of work. It opens up enormous possibilities for growth, employee satisfaction, attracting top talent, and expanding into new markets. Whether you’re a small-but-growing startup, a Fortune 100 global tech giant, or somewhere in between, WeWork’s flexible leases and large portfolio of locations across the globe make it easy to customise a workspace solution that ticks all your boxes.
Kristen Bailey is a veteran writer and editor based in beautiful Lincoln, Nebraska. She has a penchant for helping large and small brands create stories that tell the why.
