{"id":27867,"date":"2017-07-10T16:17:36","date_gmt":"2017-07-10T20:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/creator\/creator\/?p=27867"},"modified":"2020-09-01T14:55:39","modified_gmt":"2020-09-01T18:55:39","slug":"how-microsoft-makes-its-sales-staff-happier-with-wework","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/workspace-solutions\/how-microsoft-makes-its-sales-staff-happier-with-wework","title":{"rendered":"How Microsoft makes its sales staff happier with WeWork"},"content":{"rendered":"

Microsoft General Manager Matt Donovan had a challenge: All of the tech giant\u2019s <\/span>New York City-based sales team worked from its headquarters in Times Square. That made it difficult and time consuming for them to get to customers scattered around the region.<\/span><\/p>\n

The solution was a partner they were collaborating with on several other projects: WeWork. After all, the company that customizes work spaces for companies of all sizes already had dozens of offices around the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

And WeWork was a good fit for the company culture as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we started working with WeWork, we looked at the new experience that they\u2019ve created here,\u201d he says. \u201cWe looked at it and thought, \u2018Wow, that could be great for some of our teams. We need to get them in here.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So Donovan arranged to give 300 staffers\u2014about 70 percent of its New York sales staff\u2014access to all of WeWork\u2019s New York offices. After a few months, he surveyed the team to see how it was going.<\/span><\/p>\n

The result? About 84 percent of those surveyed believe access to WeWork makes them more productive during their workday, and 74 percent say it gives them better access to their customers. Well over 90 percent were satisfied with the locations they visited.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a lot of early evidence, and it\u2019s only been a few months, to suggest this is a very positive experience,\u201d says Donovan. <\/span><\/p>\n

Donovan says that \u201cthe retention of great people\u201d is something that Microsoft has always prioritized.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to grow our people, and give them a chance to work on problems that have impact and change the world,\u201d he says. \u201cI think solutions like this are another way to keep our best people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Donovan announced the plan in 2016, he said the company wanted to accomplish three things:<\/span><\/p>\n