Join host Guy Osmond as he delves into the intricacies of workplace strategy with Ian Baker, founder and director of Humans and Places, a workplace strategy consultancy. In this engaging episode, Ian shares his extensive experience in property management and workplace strategy, highlighting the disconnect between business goals and workplace design that became evident after the pandemic. The conversation explores whether organisations have truly grasped the need for workplace strategy, the complexities of hybrid working, the impacts of AI, and the challenges faced by different generational cohorts in the modern workplace. Featuring insights into how businesses can better align their strategies with workplace practices, this podcast is a must-listen for those interested in the evolving dynamics of work environments.
Ian Baker is the Founder and Director of Humans and Places, a consultancy specialising in workplace strategy.
With over 25 years of experience in the built environment and a background in property consulting and project management, Ian has been actively involved in the workplace and facilities management sector since 2015.
As Head of Workplace for a major outsourced FM provider, he led consultancy projects across a broad range of public and private sector organisations.
Driven by curiosity and a passion for strategy, Ian helps organisations align their business goals with tailored workplace strategies, enhancing performance, boosting productivity, and delivering cost efficiencies.
In 2023, Ian was recognised as one of the Top 50 Workplace Leaders by The Workplace Event for his contribution to the field.
He currently serves as Chair of the IWFM Workspace Special Interest Group (SIG) and sits on the drafting panel for BS 8703, a forthcoming British Standard in Workplace Strategy.
“How we work is always evolving, yet one thing remains constant: where we work shapes our ability to focus, to collaborate, and to connect. Places influence our capacity to forge social bonds, share knowledge, and lead fulfilled, balanced lives.”
In this episode of the Guy Osmond podcast, Guy welcomes Katie Deacon, a Chartered Electrical Engineer and the founder of 'Towards Belonging Limited.'
Katie shares her mission to bridge the gap between the disabled community and the technical, engineering, and architectural sectors. She discusses her various roles, including her work as a visiting professor at the University of Huddersfield and Aston University and vice president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
The conversation covers the importance of inclusive design, the challenges disabled individuals face, and the potential of AI and technology in creating more accessible environments. Tune in to learn about the critical need for accessibility in engineering and the exciting innovations in this field.
Katy's Bio
Katy Deacon is a Chartered Electrical Engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET), a wife and a mother of two children.
Katy’s career is a great example of tenacity, resilience and determination. She started her career as an avionic apprentice at British Airways, gaining her first-class honours degree in Air Transport Engineering from City University, London and the IIE Mary George Memorial Prize, awarded to an outstanding engineering apprentice working in the UK.
Difficulties in the aviation industry caused by 9/11 resulted in Katy moving her skills and knowledge to focus on electrical design in buildings. She won the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year award in 2006. After completing her master’s degree in Advanced Engineering from Loughborough University, she became a Chartered Engineer and adjusted her career to focus on renewables and low carbon buildings.
Her development of the Kirklees and Yorkshire Forward Renewable Energy Toolkit won the NICEIC Energy Efficiency Product of the Year. In the same year, Katy won the WES Karen Burt Award for the most outstanding newly Chartered Woman Engineer of the Year.
She enjoyed designing and project managing the installation of renewable energy systems and managing building energy management systems until she decided to expand her experience in management and leadership. She then changed her focus to advance her management skills, become a leader within a large organisation and develop her experience in information governance and cyber security.
In 2011 she started displaying serious symptoms which were diagnosed in 2012 as multiple sclerosis. After years in a wheelchair, living with the difficulties posed by lack of understanding from engineers and architects in how to build inclusive and accessible environments, Katy now runs her own business Towards Belonging Limited.
Towards Belonging Limited bridges the gap between the disabled community and the engineering community, improving inclusive engineering design implementation, enabling the disabled community to share their experiences of inaccessible spaces and helping engineers to understand the importance of designing for everyone.
Katy is a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Aston University and the University of Huddersfield, specialising in Inclusive Engineering Design. She is also a Vice President of the Institute of Engineering and Technology where she chairs the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board, helping the IET to lead the way for inclusion within the engineering and technology industries.
In this episode of The Guy Osmond Podcast, Guy is joined by two brilliant guests for a dynamic conversation about communication, inclusion, and the science of being heard in the modern workplace.
Joining Guy is Paige Hodsman, a workplace acoustics specialist from Saint-Gobain Ecophon, whose research explores how acoustic environments and unconscious biases influence who gets listened to at work. Alongside Paige is Guy’s daughter-in-law, Rebecca O’Dwyer, a finance professional and advocate for diversity and inclusion, offering insight from the corporate front line. Together, they explore:
Whether you’re a leader, designer, people manager or just passionate about better conversations at work, this episode is full of fresh perspectives and practical ideas.
Paige Hodsman, MSc., PGDip., BA, APA, BPS
Paige is the Concept Developer and Workplace Specialist at Saint-Gobain Ecophon in the UK and IE and utilises her diverse background in psychology, environmental management, office interior design, and acoustics to create sustainable and productive workplaces. With over 25 years of experience in the field, she has worked on global projects from both the client and supplier sides.
She is focused on creating awareness about the importance of mental and physical wellbeing in office environments and advocates for a research-based approach to architecture and interior design. She is also the co-developer of the psychoacoustic profiling tool for office workers and specialises in solving office noise distraction and design issues related to health and wellbeing.
She holds an MSc. in Psychological Sciences (Research Psychology), a PGDip. in Environmental Management, and a BA in Interior Design. Paige is a speaker and author of numerous research papers, book chapters, and articles related to acoustics and health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Her current research subject is: ‘Hearing Women in the Workplace’, along with Dr. Nigel Oseland.
Rebecca O’Dwyer
Rebecca joined M&G Investments in 2015, in the Direct Lending team within Fixed Income. She is responsible for co-leading corporate private credit origination, with a focus on originating, structuring and executing mid-market Direct Lending Investments in Northern Europe.
Before joining M&G, Rebecca worked for Natwest (formerly RBS) in the Leveraged Finance team, originating and structuring debt packages for Private Equity backed and Founder owned corporates. She started her career by completing the RBS Corporate Banking graduate programme.
Rebecca holds a 1st class History BA from the University of York.
Welcome to the Guy Osmond Podcast, where we explore insightful conversations with thought leaders and industry experts. In this episode, "Empowering Change: Navigating Dynamics and Embracing Diversity," multi-award-winning change specialist Jennifer Bryan joins us. With a rich tapestry of experiences from her early days in a sexist environment to her career as a dancer and now a speaker, consultant and mentor, Jennifer outlines her people-centric perspective on change management. Join us as we explore the challenges of diversity and leadership, the balance of work-life dynamics, and the critical role of emotional awareness in the workplace. Jennifer shares her approach to engaging individuals in their own change processes and the empowering potential they hold. We also discuss the ever-evolving landscape of AI, its impact on society, and the importance of future planning and resilience. Whether you're navigating organisational change or contemplating the broader implications of AI, this episode is packed with valuable insights and strategies for today's dynamic world. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion and discover how to align personal decisions with organisational goals to create a lasting legacy.
Information about Jennifer Bryan
Jennifer Bryan is a multi-award winning change leader, published author, TEDx and global speaker, Non-Executive Board Director, and Founder of ABChange Consultancy, which is names after her kids (she has child A, Amelia and child B, Blake and they changed her world).
Jennifer has been helping leaders with change for over 25 years with over 40 different organisations across multiple industries, such as Microsoft, Mott MacDonald and Barclays. She has a passion for putting people at the heart of the decision-making room.
She has developed a holistic approach to change and created a unique leading change framework, the ABChange Model and uses her commercial insight to help people lead others in change.Jennifer is author of Leading People in Change – A practical guide (Feb 2021), Co-Author of Leading Change in an Unpredictable World (May 2023) and Columnist for Workplace Insight Magazine. She has written articles in a number of industry journals and in peer reviewed articles such as Successfully Managing Change in the Workplace in Corporate Real Estate Journal vol. 8.1 (Oct 2018), Journey of Leadership in the Workplace in iCroner (Sept 2014) and Lead Behaviour in Coaching at Work (Jul 2012).
Jennifer has been interviewed by multiple industry podcasts and presented at TEDx Scunthorpe, Women in Technology Global Conference for the past 3 years, University of Reading Henley Business School of Management Conference and Alumni masterclasses, Association of Change Management Professionals (Global and UK), and Loughborough University, to name a few.
With a background in workplace design and neurodiversity consultancy, Debbie and Hayley collaborate to create inclusive workplaces. This process consolidates their personal experience and professional training.
This podcast explores corporate thinking (joined-up or not?) and business attitudes to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion with a particular focus on neurodiversity. Since the pandemic, many individuals have realised the benefits of homeworking and the distractions when returning to the office. However, the culture and management of many employers are not ready to meet these needs.
Where senior management encourages diversity, we explore design possibilities for an inclusive workplace, especially in addressing acoustics and quiet zones. In particular, our guests discuss recent successes in the education sector, where ideas to impact the student experience could be directly applied to offices or retail settings.
The wide-ranging conversation provides both personal and objective insights into the need to provide an inclusive workplace that meets legislative obligations and provides all personnel with an environment that meets their physical, sensory, and cognitive requirements.
Debbie Watts Co-Founder of ZoneND - With over 35 years of expertise in commercial interior design, Debbie is dedicated to creating innovative and functional spaces. As the Director of Ashlar ID since its establishment in 2007, she has led numerous projects with a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating inspiring environments. Debbie brings over 20 years of lived experience in neurodiversity, deeply understanding the importance of inclusive design principles. Her extensive background uniquely positions her to integrate neurodiversity considerations seamlessly into her designs, ensuring spaces that are welcoming and accessible to all.
Hayley O'Connor - Co–Founder of ZoneND, is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and brings over a decade of experience in sensory processing, autism, and ADHD to her work. As a neurodivergent lived experience expert, she offers a unique perspective shaped by her journey and challenges. With a background as a neurodiversity consultant and SEND mentor, Hayley applies her expertise to guide and support others navigating similar paths. She seamlessly integrates the neurodivergent lens into all aspects of the design process, ensuring inclusive and accommodating environments for all individuals.
Welcome to my insightful podcast episode featuring the brilliant Nigel Oseland. A compelling discussion where Nigel and I examine the future of workspaces—balancing the home office and the traditional office environment.
Nigel, alongside my thoughts, navigates the pros and cons of working from home versus the office, touching on crucial aspects like productivity, creativity, and that ever-elusive work-life balance.
We delve into the necessity for physical offices in the modern age, the impact of hybrid working, and the evolution of both workplaces and work habits post-COVID. Hear about personal experiences and expert opinions mixed with a bit of humour as we share why some prefer solitude and others need office life.
Join us for a thought-provoking journey where we question how to make workplaces more inviting, the importance of providing a sense of belonging, and the essential role of well-designed spaces in creating collaboration and innovation. You'll also learn about the hidden challenges of managing hybrid teams and the overlooked skills required for effective management in this new era.Whether you're an advocate of the home office or a staunch supporter of traditional workspaces, this podcast offers a balanced view sprinkled with enlightening anecdotes and practical insights.
Don’t miss this episode if you're eager to understand what the future holds for our workplaces and how to navigate the shifting dynamics of work life.
The Enticing Workplace: Attracting People Back to the Office By Nigel Oseland and Gary Raw In partnership with MillerKnoll, Workplace Trends and Audiem (see https://bit.ly/46q8Iyk ) explores what factors influence preferences around place of work.
This report was then the touchstone for a discussion by an expert panel, which included the two authors, reported at length in an In Magazine supplement (see https://bit.ly/3YleNdz ).
In this insightful episode, we are joined by Kirsty Angerer, famously known as the Travelling Ergonomist, to delve into the dynamic world of workplace trends and innovations.
Kirsty has observed a significant transformation in workplace ergonomics over the last five years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore how employees adapted to home office setups and the evolving responsibilities between employers and employees for well-being and equipment.
We also dissect the complexities of designing effective hybrid workplaces, using Amazon's real estate decisions as a case study, and discuss the importance of creating compelling office environments to attract employees. This includes integrating cutting-edge technology, AI, and convenient amenities.
Furthermore, we highlight innovative workplace adaptations that boost productivity, particularly for neurodivergent individuals, and discuss the role of leadership in promoting well-being initiatives. Join us for an engaging conversation filled with expert insights, practical advice, and a look into the future of workplace design.
Highlight Timestamps: - (0:00:00) - Evolution of Workplace Trends: Introduction to Kirsty Angerer and the significant shifts in workplace ergonomics over the past five years, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(0:14:42) - Designing Effective Hybrid Workplaces: Analysis of Amazon's real estate decisions and the importance of creating compelling office environments in a post-pandemic world.
(0:20:04) - Innovative Workplace Adaptations for Productivity: The benefits and challenges of working from home, especially for neurodivergent individuals, and the evolving office landscape.
(0:23:39) - Workplace Design and Well-Being Priorities: Importance of air quality, natural light, noise management, and inclusive design for employee well-being and productivity.
(0:32:37) - Importance of Leadership in Workplace Well-Being: The role of senior management in promoting well-being initiatives and the impact of leadership on productivity.
(0:42:24) - Engaging Interview Dynamic: A refreshing exchange between Kirsty and Guy, showcasing their camaraderie and mutual respect.
About our guest: Kirsty has spent over ten years working Internationally in the Workplace & Real Estate sectors. Most recently, I as Development Director at Leesman, the world leader in measuring and analysing employees' experiences in their places of work. She is a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), a Fitwel Ambassador, and an active member of the WELL community, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing people's health and optimising their performance through evidence-based design and policy interventions. She leverages her deep understanding of the interactions among humans and the ecosystems of workplaces to equip executives at all levels to make informed, forward-thinking decisions that allow them to mitigate risk, plan for the future, and benefit from excellent employee workplace experience.
Join us in this engaging retrospective episode as we delve into the hidden dynamics between C-suite executives and the rest of the organisation that could be holding your company back.
Producer Graham Coath sits down with host Guy Osmond to revisit some of our most impactful episodes with industry leaders offering insights into the challenges of modern work and tackling issues such as maintaining company culture in a remote work environment and the pressures faced by middle management.
Explore the transformative potential of technology as we discuss how wearable devices and AI can enhance productivity and accessibility.
Discover real-world stories, including lessons from the oil industry, that highlight the importance of adapting technology and mandates to local needs.
Our conversation also covers the evolving landscape of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), with a special focus on neurodiversity and aligning personal values with organisational culture.
We share personal anecdotes and practical examples that underscore the benefits of psychometric profiling and the importance of transparency and accountability in the workplace.
Wrapping up, we emphasise the need for engaging and disruptive strategies to drive meaningful change and tease some exciting topics and potential guests for future episodes.
Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on our journey and look forward with us.
0:00:00 - C-Suite Disconnect and Middle Management Pressure Reflective discussion with Graham Coath on the disconnect between C-suite executives and the rest of the organisation. (12 Minutes)
0:11:35 - Global Rollouts and Technology Benefits Insights into the challenges and potential solutions in global organisational rollouts and the role of technology. (7 Minutes)
0:19:02 - Equity, Diversity, and Neurodiversity in Organisations Exploring the evolution and importance of EDI, with a focus on neurodiversity. (5 Minutes)
0:24:23 - Aligning Personal Values With Organisational Culture The application and benefits of psychometric profiling and the importance of aligning company culture with individual values. (9 Minutes)
0:33:27 - Impact of Transparency and Technology The importance of transparency and accountability in business, and the challenges of managing data and technology. (12 Minutes)
0:45:17 - Workplace Strategy and Organisational Disruption The need for engaging disruptive strategies and effective corporate communications. (8 Minutes)
0:53:09 - Podcast Guests and Research Challenges Highlighting the merits of Chris’s book and discussing the challenges of engaging with researchers. (5 Minutes)
Tune in for a thought-provoking retrospective that explores the intricate dynamics within modern workplaces and the transformative potential of technology and EDI initiatives.
Join us in an exploration of the design thinking process and applying UX principles to development of the workplace experience. Will describes how he uses empathy, Customer Journey Mapping and the integration of AI to create a happier workplace.
Bio:
Will Easton is all about designing experience. With 17 years in the workplace industry, he focuses on true user-centric research and design thinking methodologies. His career has taken him through both public and private sectors, enabling him to understand the pain points of the physical and digital touch points defining employee experience.
A positive disruptor, storyteller, innovator, and part-time punk. Will’s unique approach to the world of work helps unlock new opportunities for teams and their organisation.
#EmployeeExperience #UX #Design #CustomerJourney
How does technology impact our psychological health and how does its adoption change our behaviours?
In conversation with CyberPsychologist, Carolyn Freeman, we explore corporate attitudes to availability expectation and individuals' desire to be seen to be productive, work pressures created by 'always in/always on' cultures, how demands on men and women differ and the need for a Technological Revolution mindset to replace the Industrial Revolution one.
Simone says: "You could say I’m a workplace thought-leader who’s passionate about creating human-centric workplaces, but at its most basic, what I do is focus on people."
"I home in on the employee experience, workplace culture, and organisational performance and use data insights to deliver change and business improvement in regard to culture, space, process, and technology."
In this episode, Simone Fenton-Jarvis explores her human-centred approach to the workplace, and indeed to life. We talk about being an outside consultant coming into an organisation, the gaps between C-Suite perceptions and front line staff, confusion between company policy and what local managers expect and being the catalyst, not the expert.
17 year's experience - MBA in FM - Fellow and NED of IWFM - Author of 'The Human-Centric Workplace – Group Director Workplace Consultancy at Vpod Smart Solutions.
Annabel Harper’s experience of coaching women leaders in the Middle East may surprise many who work in Europe or America.
In this broad-ranging episode, she explores the dynamic and exciting changes in the region, the challenges of traditional societies, the role of faith, family and relationships, and the excitement (and frustrations) of working in countries with rapidly evolving attitudes and expectations.
She compares this with management and leadership generally and the nuances of coaching in global organisations.
More about Annabel Harper:
Annabel is a best-selling author, speaker and experienced international Leadership and Executive Coach. She works internationally with senior leaders from a variety of global multi-nationals and SMEs. Annabel has been coaching in the Middle East extensively for the past ten years and has an MA in Middle Eastern Studies.
Her book, “Shujaa’ah: Bold Leadership for Women of the Middle East” was a finalist in the Business Book Awards 2021. ‘Shujaa’ah’ means ‘’bold’ in Arabic. She is currently studying for her Doctorate of Professional Studies. She has an MA in Coaching and tutors on the coaching portfolio at Cambridge University.
Chris Croft is known to thousands of trainees and followers around the world. Over 600,000 students have attended his online Udemy training and he has over 190,000 LinkedIn followers. When you hear this podcast, you will understand why!
In it, Chris explores the content of his new book ‘Seven Paths to Happiness – and 2 Dead Ends’ (which hadn’t been published when we recorded the podcast). As always, he is relaxed, amusing and engaging with some major insights into how you might choose to live your life.
Have you ever wondered why you get on really well with some people and others just annoy you as soon as they walk in the room?
Recognising the traits and behaviours that you and your colleagues (and friends and family) display will help you get on better together and understand how small changes in behaviour by all parties can transform teams and relationships.
In this episode, Giles Miskin explains more about how this works in a work context and how it leads to new ways of working together.
Giles Miskin
Giles founded The Colour Works International Ltd in 2003, now the largest distributor in the world of the Insights Discovery personal profiling system. The company specialises in team and leadership development programmes for clients large and small all over the world.
Vulnerability-based leadership is what he espouses – having the courage to accept your own fallibilities is a prerequisite to showing the necessary humility that not only allows others in but also enables you to ask for help and value what others bring. Only when we’ve built those respectful, trusting relationships can we truly be said to lead.
Giles loves promoting the interdependence of the ‘hard’ and the ‘soft’ – good emotional intelligence creates constructive working relationships that produce healthy tangible outcomes. For him, this applies to the leaders and leadership teams of large corporates just as much as to those of small start-ups, or indeed to the socially-disadvantaged youngsters he’s chosen to work with through The Colour Works Foundation.
If you are not familiar with the ‘colour energies’ of the Insights programme, you will find this page useful: https://bit.ly/colour-energies
In this episode, we discuss Change Management, especially in a real estate context.
Drawing on his military background our guest Christopher Allen describes his approach to culture, vision and values and asks why businesses are so half-hearted about providing management training and devastatingly poor at addressing leadership.
We also talk about who really knows what an organisation’s culture is? Often, it’s not the C-suite!
Then, there’s that thorny issue of whether Gen-Z workers are just entitled and lazy – or are they already living a different life that their line managers simply don’t understand?
About our guest
Chris Allen is the Founder and Chief Change Officer at MONTROC Consulting. Their projects have spanned all sectors and ranged from Global Research to EMEA Location Strategy to Regional Office relocation to behavioural change. Chris was previously at the Morgan Sindall Group, CBRE, and the British Army.
He was born in London, educated at Cairo American College, Egypt, Trinity School, Croydon, Loughborough University and Manchester Business School. Chris is a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the CMI and IoL. He has been redesigning and renovating houses for many years. Chris played Water Polo for Great Britain and has swam the English Channel. He lives in Bath with his wife, Leah and their 4 young children, 14 chickens and a Rhodesian Ridgeback. When time allows, Chris likes to swim, surf and drink red wine! He says he is deeply interested in the future of work and helping people to #LiveWorkBetter.
Is DSE still an H & S issue or should it be absorbed into the EDI process? Employers talk about wellbeing as a key part of corporate strategy but it’s often an ill-defined term and, ultimately, isn’t it all about P & L? In this episode, we explain all the acronyms and explore corporate risk appetite, C-suite attitudes, talent retention and fear of failure.
Guy Osmond and Kim Hutton are joined by special guest Matthew Trigg to discuss this topic. Matthew is a Director at Human Applications. He works primarily in safety risk management, where he successfully hides his opinion that everything to do with people is ergonomics. His interests are in the area of risk decision-making, and the way that, by improving risk literacy, organisations can have honest discussions about how safe they want to be. He thinks everything is funny.
#HumanFactors #Ergonomics #Risk #HumanApplications
Dan Williams has a well-earned reputation for quality consultancy and support for the sight- and hearing-impaired community.
His company, Visualise Training & Consultancy, offers a range of training, advice and assessments to raise awareness within organisations and make life better for his clients.
He talks here about ‘doing the right thing’, whether labelling individuals following a diagnosis can be more of a hindrance than a help, holistic support and using the right language.
#Accessibility #SightLoss #Language #Management #OccupationalHealth #Consultancy #Inclusion #Labels
Katie Knapton introduced virtual physiotherapy appointments long before the pandemic.
Her company, PhysioFast Online, offers same-day appointments between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm.
With a fascination for innovation and technology, Katie leads the discussion about digital transformation in healthcare – from health apps on your phone to using AI for data analysis.
She talks about the potential for technology to empower individuals to take responsibility for their own health.
We also explore how employees have been impacted by home working and the changing attitudes of employers to hybrid working.
#HealthAndHappiness #TechApps #Physiotherapy #Wellbeing #GoodPractice #Management #LeadershipConversations
This short 4 minute trailer will give you but a glimpse of what to expect from our podcast!
#Trailer #StoryTelling #Management #GuyOsmond #Ergonomics