In this episode, Mateo Miranda, Head of Global Real Estate at Block, walks us through how he's reshaped real estate into a dynamic tool for driving business growth - supporting distributed teams, driving expansion into new markets, and using data to guide every decision.

We dive into their rising use of On Demand space, new landlord models, and how to build a portfolio that flexes with the future of work. From on-demand workspace adoption to leveraging real-time data for smarter decision making, Matteo shares how his team is supporting workforce engagement and market expansion - all while keeping a sharp eye on cost.

If you're rethinking your workplace strategy or wondering how On Demand is playing out at scale, this one's for you.

For episode 4 of the Desana Podcast, our CEO and Co-Founder Michael Cockburn sat down in San Francisco with Lara Owen, Workplace Experience Leader at Desana customer NetApp, to discuss the evolution of workplace strategy, practical strategies for building employee workplace experience, and harnessing workplace data.

Their conversation, set in the vibrant Canopy Jackson Square, San Francisco, covered a range of themes, from Lara’s career journey to the broader industry trends shaping the workplace experience today.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in practical takeaways for organizations navigating the complexities of hybrid work, including workplace transformation, employee engagement, and flexible workspace solutions.

In the latest episode of The Desana Podcast, our CEO and Co-Founder Michael Cockburn sat down in person with Emily Day, Senior Director of Global Workplace Experience at HashiCorp.

Over 30 minutes she shared her insights on building employee connection, workplace strategy, and the evolving nature of remote and hybrid work - as well as her journey from the hospitality business to leading workplace strategy at a major tech company.

Emily offers a unique perspective on how organizations can create meaningful and engaging work environments that drive employee engagement, regardless of location. If you’re interested in the future of workplace experience, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Our latest guest on The Desana Podcast is Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at the Upwork Research Institute. In discussion with Desana CEO and Co-Founder Michael Cockburn, she shares insight from the latest Upwork study “Work Innovators: A Playbook for Innovation in an Uncertain World”, as well as other workplace nuggets like the role of generative AI and the importance of upskilling your workforce.

Key takeaways

• Work Innovators thrive by streamlining their technology systems, fostering ethical collaboration between people and AI, building a culture of innovation, and establishing a strong, adaptable operating model.
• True innovators overcome challenges like economic disruption and cultural resistance by focusing on employee engagement and workforce development, especially in adopting new technologies.
• Leaders need to embrace technology whilst simultaneously upskilling their workforce so that Generative AI becomes part of their role, rather than a replacement.
• The old work model is broken in many ways. Organizations need to question their modus operandi and lean into iterative and incremental ways of working that foster innovation rather than perfection
• Organizations that embrace diversity and inclusion are better positioned to innovate and adapt to changing market conditions. Kelly reminds us that "Diverse teams bring different perspectives and ideas, which can lead to more creative solutions,"

Content:

• 00:00-02:59 Introduction to the future of work
• 03:01-05:59 Kelly's journey into the future of work
• 06:00-08:53 The UpWork Research Institute
• 08:54-11:55 Defining work innovators
• 11:56-14:55 The importance of integration in innovation
• 14:56-17:43 Financial correlations with work innovation
• 17:44-21:02 Anti-fragility and Kaizen principles
• 21:03-23:58 The shift in narrative
• 23:59-26:59 Practical application of AI in organisations
• 27:00-29:56 Examples of successful work innovators
• 29:57-33:02 Kelly's upcoming book and its insights
• 33:03 Key takeaways for leaders

Welcome to the first episode of the Desana podcast! We are joined by best selling author and co-founder of the Future Forum, Brian Elliott, to discuss the significance of in-person interactions within the workspace and real estate industry.

Brian and our host, Michael Cockburn, co-founder and CEO of Desana, explore themes around meeting setups, workspace configurations, and the evolving needs of companies. The episode highlights best practices for balancing remote and in-office work, with insights into facilitating effective team collaborations and maintaining productivity. They also preview an upcoming workshop in San Francisco on November 7th 2024 that will bring together industry leaders to share knowledge and strategies.

00:00 Welcome to the Desana Podcast

00:25 Intro to In-Person Moments That Matter

00:52 Upcoming Workshop and Key Contributors

02:02 The Importance of Peer Collaboration

03:24 Brian's Background and Expertise

05:20 Challenges and Opportunities in Workplace Dynamics

07:15 Effective Strategies for Team Engagement

17:36 The Role of Physical Spaces in Team Collaboration

21:39 Key Takeaways and Conclusion