Company culture lays the foundations and sets the tone for how employees interact with each other and the world around them. It underpins the enjoyment, and productivity of an organisation – and helps to attract and retain top talent.
A recent Mckinsey survey investigating The Great Resignation reported that the top three factors for employees quitting were them not feeling valued by their organisations (54%) or their managers (52%) or because they didn’t feel a sense of belonging at work (51%). A strong company culture lends itself to powerful business but also creates a sense of wellbeing and belonging that employees now demand.
How do you create culture?
In the post-pandemic world, where flexible working, Zoom calls and home offices have become the norm, company ‘culture’ feels far less tangible and far harder to manifest. There is no denying that physical workspace helps to create and maintain the beating heart of a business. There is no substitute for water-cooler moments, collaboration around a whiteboard, and dedicated time in-person. But expectations are high, and a square box filled with desks is not enough to lure people back into the office. Businesses need to use physical space to enhance employee wellbeing, to increase productivity, and to provide a place for collaboration, training and socialising, impossible over Teams.
The place for better business
B Corp certified, flexible workspace provider, x+why, understand the value of physical workspace, and are on a mission to design and operate office environments that help organisations uplift and nurture employee engagement day-to-day.
This summer, x+why will open a new space at Unity Place in Milton Keynes. Their shared vision with partners Santander and Colliers is centred on community engagement, collaboration and innovation. They will operate 60,000 square feet of contemporary office space consisting of both co-working and breakout space, private offices and enterprise suites, as well as bookable meeting rooms, mission rooms, phone booths, and other amenities to facilitate impactful working days. Unity Place will also house an urban food market and shops, a restaurant, brewery, community hall, and a 300-capacity auditorium, as well as a rooftop running track.
Spirit of collaboration
The space is being thoughtfully designed to encourage interaction and communication between members, fostering a spirit of collaboration and a powerful, collective network for more responsible business. In addition to the physical design, x+why’s community team will play a crucial role in upholding strong company culture. The team’s primary focus is to support members in building meaningful connections with each other. They will organise purpose-driven events, workshops, and social activities inspiring members to interact, network and innovate.
At Unity Place, members have access to a diverse but inclusive community of like-minded individuals. By interacting with individuals from different industries, employees broaden their horizons, learn new skills, and gain fresh perspectives. Exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking can be invigorating and motivating, leading to higher levels of productivity and work with impactful outcomes.
Progress over perfection
Local businesses interested in becoming members of x+why need not to worry about perfection, x+why are looking for those who want to learn and improve, be inspired to create impact, and collaborate with fellow members. The design of the workspace, the community events, and the shared facilities all contribute to a sense of energy and vitality that can be lacking in traditional office environments. And the flexible nature of the space means that businesses can create a solution that works for them and their team – a far cry from a long lease on a square box.
Future-forward
At Unity Place, a future-forward hub for innovation in the Milton Keynes area, x+why are well positioned to help their members feel valued, included and respected. The beautiful furniture, social vibe, and delicious food will help, but being surrounded by like-minded people, meeting in person to drive impact, and having the opportunity to learn and be inspired every day is what will help to build the illusive ‘culture’ we all crave.
x+why offers a lifestyle workplace environment at Unity Place, which sets it apart from current offerings in Milton Keynes.
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Find out more and book a tour at www.xandwhy.co.uk
