From left: Mark Hershman, Partner, Shubin Donaldson;
Sara Escobar, Director, Workplace Experience, Hulu; Tony Kantarjian, Principal,
Enter Environments; Mark Chaput, Regional Sales Manager, Steelcase; Aaron
Poladian, Manager of Real Estate, Planning and Construction, Riot Games
LOS ANGELES, CA – June 14, 2018 – Tangram, a curator of highly
creative commercial interior environments and workspaces, recently hosted a
special panel discussion on “Adaptive Workspaces for Growing Companies” at its
Downtown LA facility.
The distinguished group
offered their expert perspectives on how organizations can plan for growth, for
the evolving demands from employees and executives alike, and for the unknown
nature of tomorrow’s work.
 |
| Joe Lozowski |
Moderated by
Nick Meter, Tangram Vice President of Sales and Customer
Experience, the panel included
Mark Chaput, Regional Sales Manager,
Steelcase;
Sara Escobar, Director, Workplace Experience, Hulu;
Mark
Hershman, Partner, Shubin Donaldson;
Tony Kantarjian, Principal,
Enter Environments; and
Aaron Poladian, Manager of Real Estate, Planning
and Construction, Riot Games.
 |
| Nick Meter |
“Managing real estate and creating optimum workspaces are complex tasks
for any company. And they can be especially challenging when you mix rapid
growth with a priority on finding and retaining top talent, all while the very
nature of how work gets done is changing every year,” noted Tangram President
and CEO Joe Lozowski.
“It is our distinct pleasure to share the insights of these
highly experienced and knowledgeable professionals. These are fundamental
considerations that we assist our clients in addressing every day.”
Highlights of the highly informative discussion covering eight key topics
related to planning and accommodating growth were:
 |
| Mark Hershman |
Flexibility and Adaptability. Design for change and impermanence,
including infrastructure (e.g., power, lighting, HVAC). Rapid advances in
technology are freeing people from the traditional office environment. Involve
employees in the planning process and recognize that no two people work in the
same way.
Innovation and Collaboration. These aspects of work are now
“the reality.” Agile and quick communication are essential, with
videoconferencing becoming pervasive. Change management is basic to promoting
next-generation workspaces and motivating people to use them.
Amenities. Companies must determine nice-to-haves vs.
essentials in terms of making a real contribution to the business. Look at the
surrounding geographic area to avoid duplication of existing services. Work
with landlords to negotiate amenities, keeping in mind the potential expenses
of rent and buildout.
 |
| Tony Kantarjian |
Regional Offices. Make the local workforce feel special.
Involve them, including the regional or country manager, in providing input.
Incorporate elements that are authentic to the area and local culture.
Fast Growing Clients. Anticipated growth may or may not take
place. Be ready for the unexpected. Involve consultants, since companies often
“don’t know what they don’t know.” This practice can be especially valuable for
companies that do not have a professional facilities management function.
Coworking Venues. Valuable as “escape hatch” to provide
flexible capacity as needed to manage expansion and contraction of staff
levels. Networking opportunities can be valuable as well as adaptability to
individual working styles.
 |
| Aaron Poladian |
Wellbeing/Wellness. Important for a wide range of reasons,
including minimizing disruption of workflow and supporting employee
performance. Three key aspects: physical (e.g., ergonomics), emotional (e.g.,
social interaction), cognitive. (e.g., privacy).
Open Space Plans. Overall, it is seen as a valid option and
here to stay with positive impacts on interaction and collaboration, but should
not be implemented simply because it’s a trend. Consider tradeoffs, nuances of
the organization’s business and culture, types of staff activities and
resulting workspace needs.
Tangram Interiors provides solutions that foster workplace satisfaction,
collaboration and productivity while enhancing the client’s brand and culture.
 |
| Mark Chaput |
In addition to its core contract furniture offering, the
company operates seven additional business units for a comprehensive approach
to workplace design. This range of services allows for top-to-bottom
involvement that integrates each aspect of planning, design and installation.
About Tangram Interiors
Tangram is a flagship dealership for Steelcase, Inc., and the leading
interior solutions provider in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles,
Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern and Fresno counties.
Contact:
Rachel Reenders
KCOMM
949-443-9300
