{"id":4125,"date":"2019-08-19T10:30:20","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T14:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/?p=4125"},"modified":"2020-09-03T05:53:07","modified_gmt":"2020-09-03T09:53:07","slug":"ibm-case-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/workspace-solutions\/case-studies\/ibm-case-study","title":{"rendered":"IBM fuels collaboration and innovation with flexible workspace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Around the world, companies of all sizes find space to succeed at WeWork. Our case studies<\/strong><\/a> share their unique stories.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenge: creating the ideal space for teams and clients to work together<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Chicago, IBM<\/a> was looking for a new way to work with one of their biggest clients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than always meeting at the IBM office, Romas Pencyla, vice president and partner at IBM, envisioned an inspiring offsite environment. Pencyla sought a space that would allow his team to engage with that client in design thinking sessions. There, they’d dig into their most pressing challenges and come up with novel solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution: a configurable space <\/strong>to support design thinking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IBM sourced a space on one of the top floors of the WeWork National Building<\/a>, a landmark that was built in 1907.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dubbed the Cognitive and Advanced Analytics Garage, the space doesn\u2019t resemble a traditional office. It\u2019s large enough to hold nearly 40 desks, but the room is divided into various workspaces, from couches and other types of soft seating to high-topped tables surrounded by stools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the furnishings are movable; teams can configure the space<\/a> to suit their needs. It can look totally different from one day to the next, depending on whether teams are using it for meetings, brainstorms, strategizing, or planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

The result:<\/strong> a ‘neutral ground’ that inspires team and client collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pencyla calls the space a \u201cneutral ground.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a dedicated space just for IBM and our client,\u201d he says. \u201cBeing at a WeWork building lets us both get out of our own office environment where there\u2019s always a meeting, always a call to take, always someone tapping you on the shoulder with a question.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pencyla says the work\u2014rapidly putting together proofs of concept on various projects\u2014is intense. But the environment\u2014in the dedicated office and the rest of the WeWork space\u2014fosters creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGetting people out of a traditional office culture and into a collaborative area accelerates the process for us,\u201d he says. \u201cBoth our folks and the client love coming here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pencyla has deemed the space a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is exactly what we\u2019ve wanted to do with a lot of our clients,\u201d says Pencyla. \u201cWe already have a space in New York so we can do the exact same thing. Our vision is to continually use WeWork in this fashion to help us think, collaborate, and innovate<\/a> with our clients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key highlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  • Dedicated space for IBM and their clients<\/li>
  • Fully configurable for activity-based working, with movable furnishings<\/li>
  • A “neutral ground” where IBM employees and clients can engage in design thinking sessions without everyday workplace distractions<\/li>
  • Prime location near the top of an iconic Chicago building<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    WeWork offers companies of all sizes space solutions that help solve their biggest business challenges.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n