“We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.� - Sir Winston Churchill
In the twenty-first century, the only thing we can be certain of...is uncertainty. When historic events occur that shake the very foundation of our world, affecting the way we live and work, it presents organizations with the question:
Will the future shape you or will you shape your future?
This is, perhaps, the leading question for
How the workplace can be used as an effective tool to help shape your organization’s future is a key reason we established organizations today.
The Work Place Strategies Studio.
The Workplace Strategies Studio is a multi-disciplinary group of planners, programmers, designers who, together with business and financial consultants, organizational psychologists, workplace theorists and futurists, studies the effects of the workplace on the dynamics of the organization and develop productive work environment strategies. Prior to design, we collaborate with our clients to examine the issues impacting their organization and workplace. This process engages multiple levels within the organization to elicit thoughts and ideas on these issues. This approach has proven to be an effective tool, not only for changing the workplace, but for transforming the dynamics of the organization and for improving its
overall performance.
The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping the old ones
-John Maynard Keynes
We begin by asking the
How will you attract and retain “best of class”? As a result, employers will be increasingly obliged to pay more attention to worker’s needs, preferences, tastes and requirements to attract and retain the best and brightest, or “Best of Class”.
In 1965, to communicate his vision to improve the quality of urban life in America, Walt Disney purchased 43 square miles of virgin land -- twice the size of Manhattan -- in central Florida. Here he masterplanned his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT) and a whole new Disney world of entertainment. Walt Disney died five years prior to Disneyworld’s opening.
How will you communicate your organization’s vision? In November of 1966, Walt Disney had returned to St. Joseph’s Hospital. As he grew weaker, he realize he would not live to see his dream fulfilled. To ensure Disney World opened on time , Walt came up with an inspirational plan: he told his engineers to
build the castle firs Walt knew that, once erected, the castle would serve as a visual reminder of not just the promised bonus, but more importantly, in what they were creating – a “magic kingdom” – destined to become the world’s most magnificent theme park.
After more than seven years of planning and preparation, including 52 months of actual construction, Walt Disney World opened as scheduled on October 1, 1971.
It is the workplace which truly reflects the
organization’s culture, management practices, efficiency, and ultimately,
its effectiveness.
Why are these questions relevant to the Workplace?
every workplace ever designed is an
for process, collaboration and culture. The workplace does not mislead...it is what it is:
the sum of all parts which ties the organization together...
...also, the Workplace sends subliminal messages to your customers, shareholders, and employees. According to anthropologist Edward T. Hall’s 1959 book entitled “The Silent Language”, an organization’s workplace speaks a
silent language on values, work processes, status, and most mportantly, the leadership’s
commitment to its employees.
You are presented with a unique moment in time to use
your workplace design as a tool to transfor your organization’s vision, values, goals, and culture.
Workplace Strategies serious about growth and transformation, putting their workplace in balance, is the answer for organizations
and
shaping t eir future.
“We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.� - Sir Winston Churchill
ZIE GL ER COOPER � � � � � � � � � �
������ ��� ������� ����� ���� �������� ����� ����� ������������
���� ����� ����������
Mike Vance | Futurist. Mike brings unique methods of fostering creativity and originality; creates unique work environments for clients around the world that combine the physical place with creative techniques to produce innovative results. Considered one of the world’s leading experts in developing people and training. Creative Thinking Association of America | Chairman and Co-Founder Has completed design projects for, among others: Mars, Inc., Citicorp (New York), Citibank (New York), Entergy, Steelcase, Proctor & Gamble, Armstrong Apple Computer Worked closely with Steven Jobs in the start-up phase of Apple Computer General Electric Designed General Electric’s high-tech robotic Training and Maintenance Center for the Locomotive Division, and worked closely with Jack Welch on making major changes in the culture of GE. Disney Worked with Walt Disney on the early planning stages of EPCOT; Served as the Dean of Disney University; In charge of idea and people development for 7 years at Walt Disney Studio, Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Student of Frank Lloyd Wright and of Buckminster Fuller, inventor of the geodesic dome. Author of several books, including Think Out of the Box, Break Out of the Box, and Raise the Bar.
Joseph W. Synan | Facilitator & Business Consultant. Joe has served organizations and teams in the corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors for over 18 years. As the founder and president of Leadingwell Associates, a consulting firm he founded in 1988, Joe helps leaders and teams by facilitating their consensus-building and helping them to plan, lead and vision for the future challenges. In 1985, Joe co-founded Change Management Associates, a Houston firm which specialized in helping companies down-size and helping people affected by downsizing to continue their careers. Prior to 1985, Joe spent 17 years in senior management positions with Chevron and Gulf in information resources, research and development, and strategic planning in the both the US and Canada. Joe has undergraduate degrees from the University of Notre Dame and MIT, and a Master’s degree from MIT, all in nuclear engineering. He has attended the University of Virginia’s Executive Business Program, and recently earned his Bachelor of Theology degree from the University of St. Thomas.
Audrey Marnoy | Workplace Theorist, Consultant. Ms Marnoy’s consultative business acumen comes from over 15 years in corporate sales and management. Her meeting facilitation experience brings a futurist’s perspective and method into the workplace design process. Working with facility managers, architects and designers, Audrey works collaboratively to define and address the dynamic issues in today’s corporate environment. Audrey has an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of California at Berkeley, and has completed graduate work at the University of Houston Clear Lake, and pursues ongoing continuing education at Rice University.
John W. Mason AIA | Real Estate Tax Consultant. John provides leadership and financial guidance from a tax perspective during the planning and execution of corporate facilities’ expansions and relocations. With an education and background in architecture, planning, and project management, John has participated in the planning and relocation of corporate headquarters facilities for such companies as Union Pacific Railroad, Bell Atlantic, C & P Telephone, Whitehall-Robbins Pharmaceuticals, Reliant Energy/Houston Industries, DHL Airways, The Travelers Companies, and Capital One Services. John will serve as the real estate tax consultant on this planning project.
Janet Rogers Programmer, Workplace Strategist. Janet has extensive experience in programming, workplace strategies and design for firms such as Seitel, Devon Energy, Apache Corporation, McKinsey & Company, Torch Energy Advisors, and TEPPCO. She also played a key role on such awardwinning projects as Parker Drilling, Sun Bank, Alto Technology, and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. While a student at the University of Cincinnati, Janet served as a designer for WED Enterprises (Walt Disney World). Upon earning her degree in Interior Design, Janet worked for such firms as ISD, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill prior to joining Ziegler Cooper Architects.
Paul Smead | Designer, Workplace Strategist. Paul has played a key role in designing and creating successful workplace strategies for such clients as Encore Bank, M-I Drilling Fluids, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Metamor Worldwide, Wells Fargo Bank, American Express, Duke Energy, Enron, Exxon, and KPMG. As an award-winning designer, Paul has significant experience in understanding how aesthetics fit with clients’ operational requirements. Paul graduated from Arizona State University and has continued his education at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Prior to joining Ziegler Cooper Architects, Paul was associated with Gensler and HOK.
Michael Cooper, AIA Workplace Strategist. As a handson leader, Michael excels at bringing together diverse groups to solve complex issues and to create unique workplaces. Clients include Amerada HESS Corporation, Apache Corporation, McKinsey & Company, Chase Consumer Services Call Centers, Torch Energy Advisors, EOTT, Accenture, Tesoro Petroleum, the joint venture between Texaco and Shell, and Mission Resources. Michael also worked to create branding strategies for MD Serve and Encore Bank. In addition, Michael worked with Mike Vance on the creation and design of Entergy’s Power House (training facility), Pitney Bowes Postage by Phone Center, Glaxo’s Creative Thinking Retreat, and TEPPCO’s world headquarters. Michael has a Master of Architecture degree from Rice University, a joint undergraduate degree from Pace University and the Pratt Institute, and studied at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Michael is one of the founding principals of Ziegler Cooper Architects.