The Leader - March/April 2008 - (Page 28)

r eN ova tiN G pitN ey Bo W e s ’ W o rld HQ : a co MMi tMe Nt to s us tai NaBi li ty hallway conversations, but they quickly adapted and came to appreciate the many advantages of the redesign. The project called for the collaboration of several groups across the enterprise, including Human Resources, Employee Communications, Marketing, Engineering, Information Technology, Real Estate and Facility Management. This cross-functional work team enabled the company to produce a superior workspace design that reflects and optimizes the company’s values. Pitney Bowes seized the opportunity in this renovation project to showcase its commitment to environmental sustainability, advancements in technology, fostering a collaborative work environment and a “one company” philosophy. eNviroNMeNtal respoNsiBility facilitate interaction between floors. Once the first phase of this partial renovation was complete, the overwhelmingly positive reaction of employees and management helped to obtain approval for expansion of the renovation to include the remainder of the general office space in the building. A major challenge faced by the design team during the planning phase was how to persuade employees to embrace the new office space. While the redesigned building would feature many more conference rooms and new, informal public gathering places, every individual office and workstation would be smaller and less private than before. As agents of change, the task force understood that employee involvement was of the utmost importance in the success of the project and gathered extensive input through furniture mock ups, employee surveys and extensive employee meetings. A Project Concept statement was developed to articulate the design objectives of the renovation and demonstrate how they would address the company’s business needs and employee’s dissatisfaction with the current environment. This statement helped the end-users understand that the changes being made were not random, but based in part on feedback from early employee surveys. It communicated that the changes were not exclusively based on economics, but in fact were an important step in the evolution of the organization and its culture. Even when employees first moved to the renovated space, they had to learn a new office protocol including how to speak more quietly on the phone and in Pitney Bowes considered the environment throughout the entire project planning and implementation. Pitney Bowes sourced environmentally-friendly materials such as synthetic drywall, and 100 percent recyclable carpet and ceiling tiles. The company chose materials that would not emit harmful chemicals, such as VOC-free paint, environmentally friendly substrates and glues in millwork. In addition, the project encompassed superior energy efficiency through the installation of indirect lighting and DDC controls for its HVAC systems. Throughout the demolition phase, the company recycled 570 tons of construction materials and donated 40,000 sq. ft. (3,716 sq. m.) of furniture to charity. tecHNoloGy Pitney Bowes’ commitment to helping its employees achieve work/life balance is reflected with the incorporation of new technology in the workspace design. Video conferencing has 2 0 0 8 tHe le ade r 28 M arcH / ap r i l

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Leader - March/April 2008

The Leader - March/April 2008 Leadership Contents Message from the CEO Real Estate in the News Taking CRM Programs to the Next Level A Commitment to Sustainability GSA’s National 3D-4D-BIM Program Sustainability at ABN-AMRO Getting to the Real Issues in Today’s Competitive Marketplace ManPower Consolidates Real Estate & Project Management with One Provider HP's Renee Leach and Team Como's Robin Harris San Antonio's Mario Hernandez Chicago Workplace, Mid-Atlantic, and Boston The Gold Standard: California Is the State for Innovation Pat Crumley: Education Is a Path to Success Postcards from the Edge Tribune's Stephanie Pater Economic Development in the News A Look Ahead EDP Continues Expansion in Asia-Pacific

The Leader - March/April 2008

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