Month: June 2022

I wasn’t sure what to expect for my first co-op or even what I wanted. As a communications and media studies major, I scoured the Northeastern co-op database looking at any position in either of those fields. Throughout the fall, I applied for companies big and small, ranging in all different industries from law firms to daily news sites. 

One of the companies on my list was a Boston-based software startup called Armored Things. But I was quite hesitant to work for a company focused on cutting-edge software – I had no familiarity with AI or machine learning.

However, during my interview, I was told that I would be able to have a hands-on role and be put to work, and as a college sophomore, I was hungry for the challenge. 

Six months later, I’m so happy that I made the decision to work for Armored Things. I have been able to learn more about the tech space and market as well as gain valuable or real-world experience that I wouldn’t have at a larger company. 

SOME BENEFITS OF STARTUP INTERNSHIPS:

• Exposure to the C- suite – At larger companies, there are many layers between a co-op and a CEO but at Armored Things, the C-suite is working at the bench directly beside everyone else. Their accessibility made it easy to float content ideas to them, ask for expert opinions on industry topics, and even chat about career opportunities. It should be noted that Armored Things has a female founder and CEO, an extra inspiration for me.
• Name recognition at company meetings – Company “Shout Outs” are a regular part of our All Hands meetings each month. At our April meeting, I received a shoutout from someone outside my department for my blogs and social posts. It’s nice to know that the sales directors and BDRs actually read my blogs and reference them to customers.
• Immediate impact – One of the most rewarding aspects of my experience has been seeing the social media channels grow significantly. Thanks to a Wordle ad on Twitter that I helped curate, our Twitter account saw a 20,000% increase in impressions in the month of April! During my 6 month co-op, I learned to create a social media calendar and since we are a small team, it was my job to own the posts end to end. That means writing, scheduling, posting, and measuring the success of my posts. 
• Daily 1:1s with a Senior Manager – For me, this might be the most significant difference from working at a big company. I was able to benefit from mentoring from an experienced Senior Marketing Manager. She has guided me through marketing campaigns, PR releases, and paid social media campaigns as well as given me additional career advice. I’ve learned so much from her about the marketing world, but also the corporate world in general. 

Startups come with a lot of challenges, and every day is different. The benefit for a co-op and intern is that they are thrown right into the action. My time with Armored Things may end in the next few months, but the knowledge and skills I have gained will follow me throughout the rest of my professional career.

Alex Trotto contributes to the Blog and Social Media channels for Armored Things. She is currently a Northeastern University student in her sophomore year.

It’s unpredictable, unprecedented – and sometimes it can feel unmanageable. That’s the new workplace, where corporate leaders are working to create new ways to reduce unused space and create more interactive, collaborative space for employees on the days they work in the office.

Whether it’s a full week or a single day, employees across many industries are expecting an office experience that is better than the one they left two years ago.

Technology will play a critical role, that’s clear. A recent CBRE survey titled Spring 2022 U.S. Officer Occupier Sentiment Survey reported that 53% of respondents are considering occupancy sensors to help design the new workplace. So how exactly does smart software fit into this new post-pandemic work model? 

HOW CAN SPACE ANALYTICS BE USED?

Smart software – such as space utilization software – allows Strategic Space Planners to leverage existing data sources, with or without sensors. This approach typically costs much less at scale. That’s because AI software pulls in data sources such as Wi-Fi, cameras, and badge systems. This information can be used to determine whether office spaces are being under or overutilized and also help them predict future needs.

SPACE ANALYTIC SOFTWARE CAN BE USED IN THE WORKPLACE TO:

• Measure occupancy and utilization patterns in order to evaluate and reorganize office spaces.  
• Increase office use and meeting room use through integrations with room booking technology. 
• Help deferred maintenance costs by providing data for relocations. 
• Understand when spaces are occupied or not occupied to help forecast new property investments.

HOW CAN COMPANIES CHOOSE THE RIGHT APPROACH? 

There are various ways that companies can begin to integrate software into their workplace. First off, it’s crucial that executive leaders know what goals they want to achieve by utilizing smart software. One goal for corporations is to focus on maintaining employee privacy while also gathering space utilization data. Employers also need to properly communicate to workers that space utilization data is not connected to evaluations or performance reviews. It’s about planning for current and evolving campus needs.

HOW CAN I ESTIMATE ROI IN WORKPLACE DESIGN?

Technology in an office building can be quite an investment, so it’s important for executives to know whether a software investment will save or cost them money – this can be uncovered with the help of an ROI Calculator. By providing the square footage of the space and monthly lease costs, users can find cost savings at scale. 

Companies can use space utilization software from Armored Things to measure occupancy and evaluate and reorganize their spaces – and in the end, save money. Armored Things is helping companies like Boston Scientific understand when spaces are occupied or not occupied to help forecast new property investments. Using spatial analytics, we are able to aid space planners by showing them where underutilized spaces exist based on usage over time. 

Want to learn more about Armored Things Space Analytics Solution? You can visit our website or reach out directly to sales@armoredthings.com for a quick demo.

Alex Trotto contributes to the Blog and Social Media channels for Armored Things. She is currently a Northeastern University student in her sophomore year.

COVID cases have dropped, the world has reopened – and so have most office buildings – but there’s plenty of confusion about what that means for employees. Corporate real estate leaders and space planners hope to increase office occupancy through the accommodation of new ways of working. 

An April survey by real estate management giant CBRE solicited input from 185 executives with US Portfolios. CBRE published the report titled Spring 2022 U.S. Office Occupier Sentiment Survey. 

Among the highlights were the focus on office presence and prioritizing space sharing. What follows are five suggestions CBRE advisors have for executives to demonstrate the value of the office to their employees.

1. COMMUNICATE STRATEGIES WITH EMPLOYEES 

Whether it’s in-person, remote, hybrid, or shybrid, companies need to properly communicate their return to office plans to employees. Sixty-five percent of corporate leaders believe a  decisive and consistent executive messaging on leadership expectations will facilitate a better return to office.

Google, for instance, said they expect employees to return to the office three days a week with two days of remote work. Other companies such as Tesla are requiring employees to spend a minimum of 40 hours a week in the office. These executive missives, reported on by national media outlets, have paved the way for smaller organizations to follow. 

2. SOLO DECISIONS WON’T FLY 

While the C-suite is the one calling the shots on emerging workplace challenges, they require the buy-in of HR teams, office managers, and facilities leaders. During our time away from the office, headcounts changed, the space required for each employee has remained in flux, and people prioritized healthcare needs that require exemptions and other logistics. Fifty-eight percent of executives are hyper-focused on collaboration efforts with cross-departmental leaders on targeted strategies for a return to the office, CBRE reported. 

3. EQUITABLE HYBRID STRATEGY REQUIRES TECHNOLOGY 

With more companies leaning in on hybrid strategies to meet employee needs, it’s crucial that heads of workplaces incorporate technology into their return to office strategy to keep executives and employees connected. Forty-six percent of corporate leaders are planning to work with technology departments to deliver a more equitable hybrid working experience through enhanced video conferencing according to the survey. 

4. STRENGTHEN COVID PROTOCOLS

As we work to figure out the new norm, 40% of companies will continue to require vaccinations, testing, and masking along with various other protocols (CBRE). For example, Netflix is requiring all employees and visitors to be fully vaccinated before returning to the office. COVID policies are lessening but the impact of the pandemic will continue to affect workplace norms for some time.

5. MAKE THE OFFICE EXPERIENCE UNIQUE

Many employees enjoy the flexibility that hybrid and remote working provides them. They now have more time to pursue their hobbies or spend time with family. Who would want to give that up to sit in a boring office building all day?

In order to lure employees back into the office, CBRE reported that 36% of corporations will curate events or other work experiences that are unique to the office. Medicare plan comparison platform Clear Match Medicare has introduced a free lunch program where employees have access to food trucks each day of the week. Google has announced that their office amenities and perks such as fitness centers, full shuttle services, and game rooms will be returning. 

RESHAPING THE OFFICE

Corporate leaders across the nation are reimagining office spaces of all sizes to create unique experiences. According to the CBRE report, 53% of respondents are considering adopting occupancy sensors. Executives plan to utilize technology to drive more consumer-oriented experiences for employees and encourage them to return to the office. 

Many corporations are already getting creative, turning unused conference rooms into new common areas for employees, for example. Salesforce is clearing desks from vacant conference rooms and replacing them with couches and televisions to create spaces for teams to collaborate. Some companies are taking drastic measures to make the return to work appealing for employees even if that means relocating their offices to be closer to where their employees live. Software development studio, Ustwo, just recently moved its New York City office from Manhattan to Dumbo where most of its employees live in order to cut commute time. The new office was smaller and also better suited for employees, providing them with an open-air rooftop with Wifi for meetings. 

Companies can use space utilization software from Armored Things – with or without new sensor installations – to measure occupancy and evaluate and reorganize their spaces. When using software, operations teams can visualize their space in a format that can be easily understood, and apply historical overlays to see predictive use cases. Armored Things is helping companies like Boston Scientific understand when spaces are occupied or not occupied to help forecast new property investments. Using spatial analytics, we are able to aid space planners by showing them where underutilized spaces exist based on usage over time.  

Want to learn more about Armored Things Space Analytics Solution? You can visit our website or reach out directly to sales@armoredthings.com for a quick demo.

Alex Trotto contributes to the Blog and Social Media channels for Armored Things. She is currently a Northeastern University student in her sophomore year.