Workspace Design and the ROI of Happiness - Wed 11/15/17 

Registration Deadline:  Sunday, 11/12/17 at 11:59 PM

People work for many reasons – compensation, social connections, status. However, the most important drivers of knowledge work today might be the pleasurable personal experiences of finding meaning and happiness in one’s work. Some organizations are able to create a culture that fosters a meaningful work experience, through policies, programs and even technologies.

However, to date, the role of the design of the physical office space that surrounds us at work in such “person-centered” outcomes, has been largely unconsidered. Happiness and meaning in work fosters engaged, high-performing and healthy employees. Thus there is a great opportunity for office design to expand beyond its current emphasis on employee productivity - to a future in which workspace also fosters a happy, meaningful work experience.

In this presentation, we discuss the emerging metrics that are becoming increasingly important to professionals responsible for implementing and managing office workspaces. These metrics are beginning to include employee engagement and retention, well-being, happiness and even feelings of inclusiveness. In this presentation, we provide insights from our global research program on well-being that shows how office design can promote a more fulfilling work experience.

In our statistical analyses, we directly connect the effects of design features to these objective outcomes and provide useful recommendations. We review the tools and methods used in these research projects, and discuss the process and outcomes through our global study of well-being and case study examples.

Learning Objectives

1. Use this information about workspace/ facilities to broaden thinking about creating engaging work settings, beyond HR policy considerations
2. Workforce engagement strategy – facilities is responsible for most expensive asset - People
3. Insights from this presentation can provide the opportunity for Facilities & Human Resource professionals to engage with Corporate Real Estate and Facility Management functions within their organizations to provide a more engaging work experience for employees.

Our Speaker

Dr. Michael O’Neill leads the global workplace research, strategy and analytics departments for Haworth, Inc. The goal of research is to learn how planning, design, furniture and technology can improve well-being, performance and business outcomes. Workplace Strategy offers research-based insights that can be applied to create effective spaces and products. Analytics helps Haworth to better understand and anticipate customer needs.

Michael has extensive research and consulting experience in a wide range of industries. Before joining Haworth, he worked in product research and services for Herman Miller and then led Workplace Research for Knoll. Prior to that, Michael was a Professor of Interior Design and Industrial Engineering at the University of Wisconsin. Early on, he worked for BOSTI, a firm that pioneered workplace productivity measurement. Michael has authored numerous articles and two books on workplace research and strategy. He is a coauthor of the ANSI national ergonomic workstation standards and is a frequent speaker around the world. Michael earned a BA in Psychology as well as an M. Arch and Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin. He is a Board Certified Professional Ergonomist and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Other areas of interests include cars and planes. Michael is a Porsche Club of America national driving instructor and holds a competition racing license through Midwest Council of Sports Car Clubs as well as a Private Pilot license.

• San Diego Chapter Members - complimentary
• Prospective Facility Members (Facility Managers Only - First time only) - complimentary
• Biocom Members - complimentary for the first five Biocom Members
• Colleagues & Non Members (Vendors & Suppliers) - $50 per person

Please note:  Click here for immediate area map with parking locations.

Registration Deadline:  Sunday, 11/12/17 at 11:59 PM

Register Now!