Geneva Switzerland | Global Headquarters"
the challenge
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a global non-profit headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland with satellite offices across the world.
WBCSD sought to create a Future of Work Vision and experience for its team that reflects the values of the organization and inspires collaboration within the built environment in a new, post-pandemic workplace. Incorporating sustainability and wellness into their work environment goals was also a critical piece to ingrain in the WBCSD space. The team wanted to ensure their office was not only sustainably sourced and built, but also felt like a renewed, outdoor space brought indoors.
the solution
WBCSD engaged Kolar to lead staff engagement sessions that guided the team through a process that would collaboratively define their vision for how they wanted to work in the future, their workplace and culture.
The Kolar Experience Institute team (KEI) helped WBCSD envision the workplace of the future with respect to its people, process, and place. KEI fostered an environment of co-creation through 2 virtual workshops, 6 leadership interviews, and 3 employee surveys.
Working with Geneva-based partner Beric Group, Kolar also provided integrated services of workplace strategy, branded interior design, culture change management, and WELL certification guidance focused on the well-being of the team.
A key aspect of the redesign was to take the space from 30% team-focused “we space” to 70% “we space”, ensuring there was ample opportunity for collaboration and socialization throughout. From comfortable, living-room-style lounge areas to an expansive cafe with several comfortable seating options, the added “we space” allowed the team to now choose an inspiring space to meet and work.
In the post-pandemic workplace, efficient and effective technology is key to operations. WBCSD worked with the Kolar team to create carefully designed digital zoom rooms and conference rooms with state-of-the-art video and sound equipment for conference calls overseas – an important investment for a global company.
Through this, the Kolar team was able to develop qualitative and quantitative key performance indicators (KPIs) to help the WBCSD team outline their journey to achieve their Future of Work Vision goals.
