Get ready for the new tech-driven intelligent workplace providers

Back when activity based working (ABW) was starting to gain real traction in places like Australia in 2013, we ran some research on which companies were most influential on the organisational leaders that were driving adoption of the work style. For many technology vendors and service providers the results from our more than 50 in-depth interviews with ABW adopters (now more than 250) were somewhat of a shock. The leading influencers were: #1 workpace strategy specialists; #2 interior designers; #3 peers that had adopted ABW; #4 real estate management firms and furniture providers. On the contrary, it was considered critical to get right and pretty much underpinned everything (see our checklist for guidance here). But technology providers simply didn't have a vision or narrative that was resonating with organisational leaders that also had to consider how to best use physical space while changing cultures.