Sennheiser: Exploring New Ways of Working
Embracing the Change
The Challenge
After the initial leadership and employee workshops, three key aspirations were identified, which formed the cornerstone for all decisions relating to the physical design, IT and workplace behaviours that would be needed for this transformation. To facilitate the adoption of a more global mindset and drive more innovation, employees recognised the importance of communication and collaboration. The introduction of flexible work practices as well as ‘ways to use our office’ reinforced the adoption of a new work style.
The Outcome
Partnering with Interior Design firm, DNDB, Veldheon + Company utilised the inputs gathered from the various leadership and employee workshop engagements to design the work settings that would specifically support Sennheiser’s future work activities and behaviours (e.g. special innovation areas).
The employee experience was enhanced with the addition of a very large café that doubles and a collaboration area for casual touchdowns as well as more formalised townhall gatherings. Employees were even upskilled in the art of coffeemaking and were treated to a barista introductory course!
One of the aspects of successful ABW implementation is the integration of technology into the physical environment. Advanced meeting room booking systems, which automatically releases meeting room when participants fail to show up, as well as the digitisation of many processes leading to a higher degree of paper independence, are examples of such technologies. Sennheiser also took the opportunity to integrate two of their products, into their environment – thus truly living up to their ambition “shaping today the audio world of tomorrow”.
The main meeting rooms and discussion areas also come fully equipped with Sennheiser’s very own speakers – the TeamConnect Ceiling which features beamforming technology that automatically focuses on the speaker’s voice, regardless of position; and the award-winning TeamConnect Wireless, the first portable wireless conference speakers for online meetings, allowing for greater flexibility and mobility to have conference calls in dedicated meeting rooms or any open or semi-enclosed meeting space in the office.
The Feedback
Employees have provided very positive feedback on the transition towards new ways of working with the majority indicating they are able to focus better as their office work settings are built to support specific work activities. They’ve also seen an increase in collaboration among cross-functional teams and a greater sense of flexibility and empowerment in their daily work allowing them to work more efficiently.
