We recently brought together some of our designers along with a member of our human resources team. We wanted to know how the two disciplines can work together to tackle the rising problem of associate attraction and retention. How does design play a role in the associate experience? What are some examples of design elements that help to attract, and keep, talent? Does the environment affect culture? If so, how? It was these probing questions that led to a thoughtful discussion on a timely topic that continues to challenge.

Maryhaven has helped people and families dealing with addiction and mental illness find a path to recovery since 1953. With a modest budget, they wanted to bring life to their healing space through branding by creating a donor wall as well as incorporating inspirational images and quotes throughout their space. This not only made it more welcoming and impactful, but created a positive experience for patients.

You sit more than you sleep.

A patient’s perception of the overall healthcare experience is closely tied to the quality of care received, cleanliness, safety, and communication. The physical environment is becoming more and more important to this overall experience. The delivery of facilities services must evolve to keep pace with patients’ expectations. It’s especially important since people often have a choice of where they go for their healthcare.

Creativity is, by definition, the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. As more and more companies desire associates who think and work differently, the more important creativity at work is becoming. Organizations that are open to new ideas and new ways of thinking are ahead of the curve. In fact, unlocking creative potential is key to economic and societal growth. A global “State of Create” study conducted by Adobe reports that 70% of global respondents across North America, Europe, and Asia feel that being creative is valuable to society. Regardless of industry or geography, creativity is at the forefront of today's successful countries, cities, and workplaces.

Attracting new talent is one of the great challenges of our time. It’s becoming harder than ever to recruit and retain associates that do great work. The office of the past could look and feel the same for years and you didn’t have to worry about losing your staff. Today, I’m finding that in order for companies to be successful at drawing in and keeping top talent, they must distance themselves from traditional corporate America and focus on providing the best design and resources possible.

Studies show that investing in creativity at work isn't just important, it's imperative. It goes beyond work too, as 70% of respondents in a global "State of Create" study conducted by Adobe feel that being creative is valuable to society. Associates at Continental Office do a lot of creative things at the workplace, but we know there's a lot of creativity within our walls that has nothing to do with what we do at work. We recently interviewed three of our freakishly creative associates to find out more about their unique talents.

Next to a company’s workforce, the second largest business expense for the vast majority of organizations is their real estate. Yet most organizations approach this expensive investment with a very narrow focus and short-term lens; resulting in spaces that can’t keep up with changing business demands and fail to foster a strong and vibrant culture. This short-term focus explains why the average tenant lease term is only 7 years in North America and is cause for serious concern, as we look to the future of commercial construction.

It may seem counterintuitive to ask designers to work with an IT department from the very first sketch of your space. However, spaces only work well if they work for the people within them. We truly need to understand the world around us and how people use it to create something great. IT may not always be perceived as a creative partner, it’s true. But the fact is they are especially creative and impactful when it comes to designing a successful space and understanding how people work in their environment. You might even be surprised at all you can accomplish together.

We love creating great spaces, and making the world a better space to live in. Community service is a critical aspect of our company’s DNA. We started Continental Cares over a decade ago because we wanted to make a deeper impact and get our whole team involved in initiatives together.