Hello, and welcome to a new interview from our series “The Workplace Scoop”!
Today’s guest: Patrycja Pachowska, Global Workplace Manager at DocPlanner, the world’s largest medical marketplace.
DocPlanner Group is on a mission to “make the healthcare experience more human.” Founded in 2012 in Poland, the company has grown significantly since its inception. As of 2021, DocPlanner had a team of over 2,800 people across offices in 13 countries from Europe and Latin America. DocPlanner has a network of almost 2 million healthcare professionals and facilitates over 22 million patient appointments per month.
Today’s topic: the strategic role of office managers in building hybrid workplaces. I’ve been following Patrycja for a while, and I really appreciate her vision on how offices should evolve as a strategic tool that supports both the business and its employees. And I really wanted to have her as a guest. Wish granted! Thank you, Patrycja, for accepting my invite!
So, let’s roll!
The Future of Hybrid Work and the Employee Experience
- Alina from Tidaro: When looking at the future of the hybrid work model, what do you see?
Patrycja Pachowska: I believe the future of the hybrid work model will be an evolution, not just in terms of technology, but also in the way we think about office spaces. Offices will no longer be just places to work; they will become spaces that foster collaboration, creativity, and team integration. We will witness dynamic changes that prioritize work flexibility, employee wellbeing, and sustainability. Key to this will be leveraging new technologies to bring together office and remote workers in a cohesive collaboration space.
- Alina from Tidaro: You were saying “evolution”. Stats have shown that 60% of offices are not yet adapted to the hybrid work realities. So, this is our starting point, right? What can be done about this issue?
Patrycja Pachowska: The challenge is that many offices are still designed with a traditional work model in mind, which doesn’t support flexibility. We need to focus on modernizing spaces to accommodate the needs of both in-office and remote workers. This will require implementing quiet zones, flexible workstations, collaboration technologies, and solutions that support hybrid work, such as high-quality video conferencing, document-sharing platforms, and easy-to-manage office spaces.
- Alina from Tidaro: At some point, you were saying that the employee experience in the office is more than just walls and furniture. How can office spaces evolve to meet the needs of employees, strengthen organizational culture and drive business success?
Patrycja Pachowska: Indeed, the employee experience in the office is much more than just walls and furniture. It’s about creating a space that supports employees’ needs and improves their work quality. The office must be a place that encourages collaboration, creativity, and also provides comfort and wellbeing. Properly organized spaces – such as quiet areas, creative meeting zones, and access to nature – help build a strong organizational culture and boost employee engagement. A well-designed office becomes not just a workspace, but a reflection of the company’s values and mission.
Keiretsu, Austin, TX. The central hub of this financial services firm is a co-working space during the day and a multipurpose event space after hours.
Designing the Office of the Future
- Alina from Tidaro: When a company decides to renovate an office, there are mistakes that can cost the employer time, budget, and above all, efficiency. How can these costs be avoided?
Patrycja Pachowska: To avoid costs related to inefficient renovations, it’s crucial to begin by thoroughly understanding the needs of both employees and the organization.
Often, companies make changes that don’t align with the actual needs of office users. A detailed analysis of the work environment, employee consultations, and involving experts in workplace design are essential. It’s also beneficial to implement changes in phases, so the effectiveness of modifications can be monitored and costly adjustments avoided.
Additionally, it’s important to allocate a budget with room for potential changes that may arise from the ongoing assessment of space efficiency.
- Alina from Tidaro: Patrycja, if you were to imagine the smart office of 2030…what would it look like?
Patrycja Pachowska: The smart office of 2030 will be highly adaptable, leveraging advanced technologies such as AI and IoT to create intuitive, responsive work environments. It will be a fully integrated space, where everything from lighting to temperature to seating arrangements adjusts based on the needs of the employees, ensuring maximum comfort and productivity.
Offices will become more sustainable, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and the use of natural materials. Remote and in-office teams will seamlessly collaborate through virtual interfaces, and employee wellbeing will be at the core of every design decision.
- Alina from Tidaro: What’s the role of office managers in this future? How can they become key partners for teams and organizations?
Patrycja Pachowska: Office managers are already playing a key role by leading by example and setting the working standards for their teams. In the future, they will be even more crucial, not only in ensuring that the office environment functions smoothly but also in bridging the gap between hybrid work dynamics.
Their role will evolve into that of a strategic partner, collaborating closely with teams to create spaces that foster productivity, collaboration, and wellbeing. By continually assessing the needs of employees and aligning them with organizational goals, office managers will ensure that the workplace adapts to the changing work culture.
- Alina from Tidaro: So, you are seeing a workplace that is hybrid. Coming back to the present day, what’s your take on the return to office topic? I see a lot of frustration around the issue, from both employers and employees.
Patrycja Pachowska: The return-to-office debate is indeed a sensitive topic. Both employers and employees have valid concerns. Employers want to regain the in-person collaboration that fosters innovation, while employees often prefer the flexibility that remote work offers.
I believe the solution lies in finding a balanced approach, where the office becomes a place for collaboration, creativity, and team building, while remote work is embraced as a way to offer flexibility and support work-life balance. Clear communication and creating spaces that support both styles of work will be key to reducing frustrations and meeting everyone’s needs.
- Alina from Tidaro: I agree. There should be a middle way. Both the employers and the employees have their own work-related goals. There are some obvious gaps, as well as overlapping. So, a negotiation must happen, so that, at the end of the day, we can have a “win-win”.
Now, moving on to my next question: What offices around the world are an inspiration to you?
Patrycja Pachowska: There are several incredible office spaces around the world that serve as true sources of inspiration.
For example, Google’s headquarters in Mountain View is an outstanding example of a creative and flexible work environment.
Airbnb’s office in San Francisco also stands out, focusing on creating spaces that promote both collaboration and relaxation.
Additionally, at DocPlanner, redefines shared office spaces, emphasizing community and flexibility.
Finally, projects like Gensler’s “The Lab” in their San Francisco office or the Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center in Munich are pioneers in integrating technology and sustainable design to enhance both employee experience and productivity.
Alina from Tidaro: Indeed! I’ve been looking at some of the latest Gensler designs, and they are mind blowing!
This being said, I want to thank you for our lovely chat!
Patrycja, with a passion for office management and creating office spaces, founded Workplace Solutions, a company whose goal is to redefine the needs of office users and cooperate with architects to create inspiring and functional spaces. Her mission and definition of workplace is ENGAGE, INSPIRE, ADAPT, i.e. creating workplaces that engage, inspire and adapt to changing needs.
She believes that success in creating modern workplaces is based on a deep understanding of the company’s mission and values, implementing technologies that put people’s needs first, flexibility and readiness for change, and designing spaces that facilitate cooperation and team integration. The key is the balance between innovation and care for the everyday needs of employees.
If you want to get in touch with Patrycja, you can approach her on LinkedIn.
Conclusions
To sum it up, here are the main ideas from our interview with Patrycja Pachowska, DocPlanner’s Global Workplace Manager:
- Office managers will become strategic partners, collaborating closely with teams to create spaces that foster productivity, collaboration, and wellbeing.
- They will need to continually assess employee needs and align them with organizational goals to ensure the workplace adapts to changing work culture.
- To avoid costly renovations, companies should thoroughly understand employee needs through analysis and consultation.
- Clear communication and creating spaces that support both styles of work will help reduce frustrations in the RTO debate.
- Offices will become more sustainable with an emphasis on energy efficiency.
Want to read more inspiring stories on how to make remote and hybrid work, actually work? Check out the AirBnb remote work policy, and the Quora remote-first story.
Now, if you want to find out more about how to manage hybrid workplaces, we’ve created a very thorough guide for you. So, make sure to check Mastering Hybrid Work out!