Occupier Outlook

1 | Beyond the C-suite’s hybrid messaging

Hybrid work remains a high-visibility initiative across enterprises and many C-suite executives place the adoption of these models as a high priority for CRE teams. In addition, CRE leaders are simultaneously asked to optimize the portfolio and budget, determine areas of investment and contraction and address enterprise-level imperatives such as cost reduction and sustainability commitments.

As global events have transformed the way enterprises operate, businesses now demand more from their real estate footprint and CRE leaders are working to address key priorities within their sectors:

Tech, Media & Telecom
Connecting the office’s purpose to company culture continues to lead in most organizations’ strategies. Creating environments that foster innovation and connection are top priorities.

Financial & Professional Services
CRE organizations are realizing that they need to “earn the commute” and deliver exceptional workplace experiences when teams arrive to the office. Re-onboarding of employees and training managers on the importance of being present is a key objective for both CRE teams and HR/People teams.

Healthcare
Health systems are re-evaluating their go-to-market strategies, focusing on portfolio optimization and reducing capital deployment for clinical and administrative facilities.

Life Sciences
Scientific research sites are becoming more collaborative—with strong focus on experience, productivity and resiliency.

1. Articulate clear RTO goals
   Company leaders are facing a major challenge as they plan for a hybrid return to the office: how to communicate their goals and timelines to employees while also motivating them to come back. Workforce communications should be empathetic, engaging and encouraging.
2. Use technology to enhance virtual and in-person work and experiences
   Standardizing technology is integral to any RTO goal. Tech should make the office feel inspiring, comfortable and accessible to everyone, regardless of location. People can be more effective if tech enables anytime/anywhere productivity, simplifies and guides the office experience and facilitates dynamic occupancy management.
3. Offer training to make the most of hybrid work
   RTO success goes beyond just having more people in the office; it helps drive participation and belief in company culture. Executive leaders should create the vision and establish company-wide goals, while managers should drive the execution, empowered with tools to help their teams to reach those objectives. Managers also need guidance on how to support employees personally and professionally as they shift to a new way of working.
4. Measure office utilization and design offices to reflect how employees actually use the space
   An organization can ensure long-term RTO success by understanding employee work habits and how they utilize space. Analyzing usage data can highlight what types of environments lead to the most productivity, while also informing future occupancy spending. Maximizing the productivity of every square foot requires measuring employee usage and sentiment, leveraging data and using it to enhance the employee experience over time.

4| Automation going mainstream

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT has captured significant attention. As a result, CRE leaders are seeking proven automation investments that can accelerate near-term outcomes and serve as new sources of data-driven insights.

While venture capital interest has increased substantially, generative AI technology is still at a very early stage:

Source: CB Insights, 2023.

Evolution of skills
Workplace strategy is now the number one new or different skill in demand for CRE teams, up 15% from last year’s survey. Change management, portfolio planning and reporting and analytics are also skills in high demand within internal CRE teams.

Centralization of CRE responsibilities
Approximately 78% percent of respondents noted CRE’s management structure is either primarily or completely centralized, consistent with last year’s study. Property types least likely to be centralized under CRE’s management include manufacturing, data centers and retail.