FROM SMART OFFICE TO HEALTHY OFFICE

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Edwina Marsh
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FROM SMART OFFICE TO HEALTHY OFFICE Offices are becoming

In a Smart Office, responsive devices communicate over the

what if we can use technology to improve employee performance

To make a Smart Office a Healthy Office where people, not

Ground-breaking research by international commercial real

1 FROM SMART OFFICE TO HEALTHY OFFICE Offices are becoming smarter. In a Smart Office, responsive devices communicate over the Internet to analyse and optimise all aspects of the workplace: from toilets to photocopiers and lifts. Technology makes office life easier and more comfortable, but what if we can use technology to improve employee performance and well-being? To make a Smart Office a Healthy Office where people, not technology, take centre stage? Ground-breaking research by international commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE and the University of Twente has shown that a combination of technology, a healthy working environment and healthy choices results in happier, healthier and above all more effective employees.

In 2016, CBRE s Amsterdam offices was the location of a unique study into the influence of healthy adjustments to the workspace on the health and wellbeing of a large group of office workers.

ealthy environment: the test H environment was designed to include more greenery and a human-oriented biodynamic lighting system.

Technology: the research team used beacon sensors and activity trackers to measure the effects. THE POWER OF LITTLE DATA The results of the study exceeded all expectations.

Where big data provides information about large groups of people such as voters or consumers little data tells us about ourselves.

Real-time feedback, game-inspired elements and health information enable these resources to alter our behaviour.

A study from 2015 shows that these smart wristbands provide more health empowerment: they give users a sense of being better able to personally manage their health.

2 In 2016, CBRE s Amsterdam offices was the location of a unique study into the influence of healthy adjustments to the workspace on the health and wellbeing of a large group of office workers. The research team, with University of Twente PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering Elizabeth Nelson at the helm, studied over 120 employees for a period of seven months. ealthy environment: the test H environment was designed to include more greenery and a human-oriented biodynamic lighting system. Healthy choices: participants were encouraged to make healthy choices, from more movement and relaxation to less sugar and coffee. Technology: the research team used beacon sensors and activity trackers to measure the effects. THE POWER OF LITTLE DATA The results of the study exceeded all expectations. Not only did the effects of healthy workplace adjustments prove to be astounding, but the power of little data also turned out to be impressive. Where big data provides information about large groups of people such as voters or consumers little data tells us about ourselves. Thanks to smartphones and activity trackers such as Fitbit and Jawbone, we know for example exactly how much sleep and how much physical activity we get. Real-time feedback, game-inspired elements and health information enable these resources to alter our behaviour. Elizabeth Nelson has been researching the impact of activity trackers for some time now. A study from 2015 shows that these smart wristbands provide more health empowerment: they give users a sense of being better able to personally manage their health. It also makes people more driven and disciplined in pursuing their personal health goals. And increases their chances of success. A third of CBRE survey participants wore activity trackers during the study and used them to set daily targets for activity and sleep. For example, they wanted to take 10,000 steps a day or sleep 8 hours a night. Thanks to these game-inspired targets, participants were challenged and motivated to literally take a step further. People are competitive by nature, Nelson explains. This led the participants to make different choices. For instance, they opted for face-to-face conversation instead of , so they had to walk to a colleague s desk. They also preferred an afternoon walk to a cup of coffee, since too much coffee affects your sleep. RIGHT LIGHTING Circadian lighting MENTAL BALANCE Meditation, yoga, powernaps and massages at work H E A LT H Y NUTRITION N AT U R A L S PA C E Healthy alternatives to sugar and caffeine More plants on the work floor Elizabeth Nelson POWER OF LITTLE DATA IS IMPRESSIVE THE PHYSICAL EXERCISE Less sitting down, more exercise

The activity trackers ensured that these healthy habits became part of their daily routine. Even once the study was completed, the activity trackers remained a popular part of office life.

BEACONS TO MEASURE MOVEMENT Alongside activity trackers, the research team added a second smart office feature to the test environment: beacon sensors.

3 The activity trackers ensured that these healthy habits became part of their daily routine. Even once the study was completed, the activity trackers remained a popular part of office life. Most participants had already purchased their own activity tracker, or were looking for a replacement, Nelson recalls. BEACONS TO MEASURE MOVEMENT Alongside activity trackers, the research team added a second smart office feature to the test environment: beacon sensors. These transmitters analyse and optimise the use of the space available and provide an insight into how much employees move during the working day: valuable information at a time when the detrimental effects of sitting are being compared to those of smoking. Sitting down all day is bad for your circulation and your concentration, Nelson warns. Employees who get out of their chair more often feel better and perform better than employees who remain seated for most of the day. Data motion sensors office CBRE baseline BRICKS, BYTES AND BEHAVIOUR Wouter Oosting, Senior Director of Workplace Strategies & Design at CBRE, believes that a Healthy Office takes a different view of technology within a building. Smart Offices make the connection between bricks (the building), bytes (the technology) and behaviour (how people act). But what do all these sensors and internet-connected devices really do for the people who work at an office, other than making life a bit more comfortable? A Healthy Office makes human beings the focal point and uses technology to help employees improve their quality of life and achieve their full potential. Especially nowadays, when people are living longer but in poorer health and rising numbers of employees are suffering from burnout symptoms, attention to well-being in the workplace is essential. In healthy offices, therefore, it s not the building or the technology that matters most, but the level of control the people who work there have over their health. after 7 months PROCES HEALTHY OFFICES QUICKSCAN KICKOFF 1 CHECK RISK FACTORS AIR & WATER CONTAMI- NANTS QUICKSCAN ASSESSMENT 2 INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Via changes to the physical improvements QUICKSCAN Based on the results of the study, CBRE and the University of Twente have worked together to develop a Healthy Offices QuickScan that reinforces the primary importance of the human element. First of all, the scan measures the extent to which the current office environment contributes to the health and well-being of employees. Employees are closely monitored with the help of beacons, wristbands and interviews. Based on the anonymised data, CBRE provides concrete recommendations and IMPLEMENTATION HEALTHY FEATURES ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE & COMFORT (Air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, acoustics, ergonomics, hygiene) NATURAL LIGHT & CIRCADIAN HEALTH BIOPHILIA IMPACT ASSESSMENT 3 PROMOTION OF HEALTHY CHOICES Via changes to the physical environment, technology, policies & culture WELLNESS AWARENESS VOEDING & HYDRATATIE LICHAMELIJKE ACTIVITEIT MENTAAL WELZIJN insights into how the working environment can be improved. A few months after adjustments are made, CBRE carries out another round of measurements to map the improvements. But if Oosting has his way, it won t stop there. CBRE is currently working on an app that continues to coach co-workers after the QuickScan. If you want to permanently change your employees behaviour, you have to provide them with ongoing guidance. We are working on an app that enables us to

Wouter Oosting WELL-CONSIDERED DECISIONS THAT ARE SENSITIVE TO THE HUMAN SIDE OF DATA STORAGE AND PRIVACY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND SUSPICION provide customised coaching.

By synchronising the beacons with the little data from activity trackers, we can personalise messages based on people s actual behaviour. For example, have you had a poor night s sleep?

And if you have only taken 1,800 steps that day, you will receive a message telling you to take the stairs or to hold a walking meeting in the afternoon instead of sitting around a table.

4 Wouter Oosting WELL-CONSIDERED DECISIONS THAT ARE SENSITIVE TO THE HUMAN SIDE OF DATA STORAGE AND PRIVACY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND SUSPICION provide customised coaching. It offers individual advice based on data from beacons and activity trackers. For example, if you are waiting for the lift, the beacons send you a message encouraging you to take the stairs. By synchronising the beacons with the little data from activity trackers, we can personalise messages based on people s actual behaviour. For example, have you had a poor night s sleep? In that case, the app recommends that you work in a quiet area with plenty of daylight to improve your concentration. And if you have only taken 1,800 steps that day, you will receive a message telling you to take the stairs or to hold a walking meeting in the afternoon instead of sitting around a table. Real-time feedback puts you in a position to take better decisions every day. WHAT ABOUT PRIVACY? Technology not only brings a wealth of new opportunities, but also gives rise to new concerns. Privacy is a particular worry for many. Imagine a situation in which an employee is being considered for promotion, but the data from her activity tracker reveals that her lifestyle is far from healthy. Suddenly, the board no longer see her as suitable for a management position. Nelson argues that the way businesses handle data is crucial. Well-considered decisions that are sensitive to the human side of data storage and privacy make the difference between success and suspicion. By working with a conscientious, transparent and independent third party such as a university you can ensure that data is collected anonymously and is subject to the restrictions set out in privacy legislation. The anonymised little data from the Healthy Offices QuickScan is stored on the University of Twente server and is only available for scientific purposes. In addition, Oosting argues, it is vital that the interests of the employees themselves should always come first. Explain to employees that technology is not an infringement of their privacy, but that they themselves are in charge of their data and can use it to improve their quality of life. That is how you win their trust and support. This research is evidence of that. After seven months the response rate was much higher than the university had expected. Participants remained involved and enthusiastic because they noticed that their quality of life had improved.

Elizabeth Nelson Wouter Oosting COLLABORATION SCIENCE AND BUSINESS Burn-outs are a common

Elizabeth Nelson, PhD student Biomedical Engineering at the University of Twente, and Wouter

community plays a decisive role in this.

massive impact on the health and effectiveness of employees!

CBRE TEAM Wouter Oosting Senior Director Workplace Strategies & Design E wouter.oosting@cbre.

com CBRE Gustav Mahlerlaan 405 1082 MK Amsterdam T +31 (0)20 626 26 91 cbre.

obtained from sources believed to be reliable.

5 Elizabeth Nelson Wouter Oosting COLLABORATION SCIENCE AND BUSINESS Burn-outs are a common worldwide problem and the number of cases continues to rise. It's time for action. Elizabeth Nelson, PhD student Biomedical Engineering at the University of Twente, and Wouter Oosting, Senior Director Workplace Strategies & Design at CBRE, believe that the business community plays a decisive role in this. FIND OUT MORE Creating an environment that allows people to stay healthy and engaged has a massive impact on the health and effectiveness of employees! Read more about our unique scientific research in our e-paper. CBRE TEAM Wouter Oosting Senior Director Workplace Strategies & Design E wouter.oosting@cbre.com Maaike Boné Director Client Solutions E maaike.bone@cbre.com CBRE Gustav Mahlerlaan MK Amsterdam T +31 (0) cbre.nl/healthy Disclaimer: Information contained herein, including projections, has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Healthy Offices research data was collected and analysed by our partner at the University of Twente. While we do not doubt its accuracy, we have not verified it and make no guarantee, warranty or representation about it. This information is presented exclusively for use by CBRE clients and professionals and all rights to the material are reserved and cannot be reproduced without prior written permission of CBRE. It is your responsibility to confirm independently its accuracy and completeness. DOWNLOAD E-PAPER

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