O2 Headquarters (strategy)

Solution

Communications giant O2 Telefónica wanted to consolidate its three buildings in Slough into a single unified campus, and create an agile and inspiring workplace.

The company appointed tp bennett to develop its workplace strategy. An engagement process was started with high-level leadership interviews, workshops and focus groups, and a pilot wing set up with 100 desks to assess the company’s agile working potential. A time utilisation study was carried out across the three buildings to determine its potential, and a change management process introduced with communication streams, town hall meetings, forums and roadshows to help the staff understand how the new offices would work.

The outcome was an agile ratio of 1,500 desks supporting 2,000 personnel, and a wide range of collaborative work settings. A post-occupancy study showed that 75 per cent of the staff approved of the agile working methodology, with some static teams reverting backs to their own desks. With sustainability and brand reinforcement at its heart, O2 Telefónica won the BIFM 2011 Impact on Organisation and Workplace Award.