Creating an authentic building and tenant experience will set your facility apart, said BOMA International President Henry Chamberlain in his annual State of the Industry address at the 2019 BOMA International Conference & Expo.
Chamberlain notes that, while there’s a general sense of positivity surrounding the health of the economy, this year people feel more uncertain about 2020, due to concerns like interest rates and tariffs. To take advantage of today’s marketplace vitality and to capitalize on the changing workforce, Chamberlain says that creating an authentic space and providing value around authenticity can set your building apart.
“You can achieve authenticity by taking existing building stock and creating new workplaces and developments—that’s your ability to differentiate yourself,” Chamberlain explains.
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Consider authenticity in all you do, he adds, including these three things:
1. Tenant Amenities
Services that are right for your occupants, regardless of generation or location, will help create an authentic atmosphere. As the expectations and types of amenities keep growing, ask what to include based on what people want and what new or different amenities you can provide.
More than one session at the 2019 BOMA show discussed tenant amenities. One about mobile vendors got people to think beyond food trucks to other mobile businesses, such as:
- Mobile produce farm
- Blood donation
- Mammography
- Nail salon
- Shoe repair
- Technology repair
- Mobile golf club repair
- Bike repair
- Pet grooming
- Vet service
- Car wash
- Car dent repair
- Gas delivery
- Oil and lube
Anything that someone doesn’t have to leave your building to do, including working out, banking, or mailing or shipping items, is an amenity that will offer them convenience and keep them being productive in the building.
BUILDINGS Podcast
Upgrading Amenities and the Impact on Your Business
What are your amenities saying about your business? Suzanne Maynard and Darin Squires of GP Pro explore what tenants and employees are looking for in the 21st Century workplace, including how to keep your expenses under control while still providing up-to-date amenities. Listen now >>
2. Flexible Workspaces
As use of traditional offices continues to decrease and interest in working anywhere in a connected, mobile world increases, look at how you can fulfill this demand in the space you have.
This includes:
- Outdoor workspaces featuring unique yet functional furniture
- Ergonomic and flexible indoor office furniture and seating
- Pods for relaxation, privacy or lactation
3. Emerging Technology
Consider the technology you have and emerging technologies that could affect your building in the near future. Evaluate applications that can link properties in your portfolio and services around your buildings. Think about how you can leverage new technology to provide an authentic experience in your building.
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Shop smart devices and lighting controls to see what might be available and work for your facility.
Differentiate Yourself With Authenticity
“Look at what’s going on around you and figure out how to differentiate yourself” through amenity offerings, Chamberlain says.
He suggests some ways to determine what amenities available in the marketplace are right for your building by:
- Talking to your tenants and occupants
- Looking at case studies of other buildings
- Going on building tours
“People are reshaping the future,” he says, and to compete, you need to create an authentic building and experience for them.
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