Why Workplace Experience is the Next Competitive Advantage

The way we work has changed and the pandemic wasn’t the cause, it was simply the catalyst. There are reasons why people haven’t rushed back to the office or their 90-minute commutes: They’ve all seen that hybrid, flexible working can be successful.

Workforces now expect flexibility, seamless experiences, and workplaces that are worth the commute. The traditional office that many of us grew up working in won’t cut it anymore.

In response, organisations are rethinking their approach to workplace services, yet despite all the rhetoric around hybrid working and digital transformation, too many companies are still failing to address the fundamentals: How do we make the workplace ‘work’ for our people – inside and beyond the physical office?

OLD MODELS, NEW EXPECTATIONS

For years, businesses have focused on the tangible—real estate, technology, cost optimisation—without fully considering the impact a positive employee experience can have.

We’ve taken steps in the right direction: Offices are being redesigned; digital transformation has accelerated and dedicated workplace services exist. Yet, admin still takes up a significant chunk of the workday, key services are siloed and disconnected, and many offices remain cumbersome compared to the convenience of home working.

"Digital transformation has accelerated, yet employees still face administrative friction in their daily tasks" – [Head of Operations, Global Commercial Bank]

Workplace services exist, yet they are often siloed, inefficient, and disconnected from business outcomes" – [Head of Business Transformation, Global Professional Services Firm]

The result? Disengagement, underutilisation, and a struggle to retain top talent. The best companies are those that realise that workplace experience isn’t a ‘nice to have’ anymore — it’s a necessity.

A New Approach: The Connected Workplace

We recognise and understand this fundamental shift at SPS. We don’t just provide workplace services, we design, implement, and manage workplace ecosystems that drive business success.

• We are one of the fastest-growing global outsourcers, winning new business through innovation and execution.
• We have exceptional employee engagement because we invest in talent, training, and culture.
• We take care of the non-core workplace activities, at a world-class level, so businesses can focus on what they do best.

At SPS, we see the future of work with clarity. We believe that non-core services, when executed at a world-class level, become business critical. Removing the friction employees feel as they engage with their workplace services is a key enabler for an improved experience and business success.

A Connected Workplace is not just about the office – it’s about the seamless integration between people, processes, and technology:

1. Frictionless operations – Workplace services should be intuitive, automated, and digitally enabled, freeing employees to focus on high-value work.
2. Hybrid work enabled – The workplace must support remote, on-site, and hybrid models with equal efficiency.
3. Hospitality-led service – Inspired by industries that excel in experience (think Ritz-Carlton and Disney), workplace services should be proactive, seamless, and delightful.
4. Strategic outsourcing – By partnering with the right experts, businesses can elevate workplace services to drive productivity, efficiency, and engagement.

This is not theory—it’s already happening.

We’ve worked with leading global brands to reimagine their workplace experience, integrating technology, hospitality, and data-driven insights to create workplaces that attract, engage, and retain talent.

Final Thought

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that agility, experience, and employee-centricity will define the future of work.

The question is: Is your workplace ready?