Sitting in one of the regional offices of Jones Lang LaSalle in Singapore, I am constantly reminded of the high concentration of foreign talent here and the way our workspace dynamically evolves according to the needs of the varied teams based here, both locally and regionally.

Towards end-2010 and in the months following, Jones Lang LaSalle introduced WorkSmart Singapore – a pilot programme implemented across the Corporate Solutions workspace at our main headquarters in the Singapore CBD to increase the efficiency, flexibility and productivity of our work environment. A number of compelling reasons drove the need to create this programme: our business is growing, occupancy costs are escalating, demand for flexibility is increasing and the employees here want to work in an inspiring and productive environment. The WorkSmart programme which taps on our expertise in alternative workplace strategy provides a combination of non-traditional work practices, non-territorial activity settings and multiple work locations, which support the enhanced mobility of teams and individuals and more effective utilisation of workspaces. This all sounds very complicated as much thought has to be given from the planning to the implementation stage, but it is actually quite intriguing (imagine the traditional work benches/stations refreshed into new and attractive ‘hot desks’).

Now, less than two years since, the need to rationalise our existing business space has again arisen with the recent acquisition of Credo Real Estate, an independent market-leading real estate advisory firm in Singapore. Given that the integration of the business lines and teams along with a full rebranding of all business activities has just got underway, the most obvious actions to take are revisiting the existing workplace and considering how best to seat the combined 400 staff in the four office locations. Even though it may not always be feasible to apply such creative settings to an existing workspace (I am not speaking on behalf of the management or about the final seating arrangements they choose, as I am sure there must be a myriad of factors to consider in all such situations, including how quickly you actually need to find permanent space and the availability of swing space, etc), there is no denying that more firms are increasingly looking for more innovative uses for their work space and flexible ways to organise it in their quest to keep costs under control and still provide an interesting working environment for their employees.

As we start working with each other closely, I am sure the assimilation of both the existing Jones Lang LaSalle and former Credo Real Estate staff will be smooth and harmonious. I look forward to seeing familiar faces and making new friends in this vibrant workplace.

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