Year
October 2022
Outcome
- Future-ready real estate
- Inclusive workplace
- Leesman+
Resources
Lmi score
79.0
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Taiwan: A success story
The opportunity
Since 2017 Standard Chartered has adopted Leesman as a standardised tool for assessing employee satisfaction within their workplaces across its global locations.
After gaining results from a Leesman Office survey in 2019 and the unexpected disruption of the pandemic, Standard Chartered realised something needed to change. As Shelley Boland, Regional Head of Property Asia, explains: “When COVID-19 hit, we were at the stage of concept design. We had to redefine our workplace brief for the project, radicalise our plans and ensure we were future-proofed to the new normal.”
Both forced the bank to re-evaluate its strategies and refocus its efforts on a singular objective: achieving twice the experience in half the space.
The outcome
In December 2021, Standard Chartered consolidated three outdated Taiwan offices into one cutting edge headquarters, all while promoting collaboration and employee wellbeing above everything else.
Background
Standard Chartered x Leesman
Standard Chartered, a leading global bank, has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to delivering an exceptional workplace experience. This commitment is core to its goal of fostering an inclusive culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth among its employees. Utilising Leesman insights for its global property strategies has allowed the bank to gain valuable insights into employees’ needs and priorities for workplace design and amenities.
The results from 2019 allowed Standard Chartered to recognise the areas that were identified as lacking in employee satisfaction, such as relaxation spaces, video conferencing facilities, and dining options. Standard Chartered aimed to revamp these aspects to create an environment that entices employees back to the office.
Leesman insights shaped the bank’s global design guidelines and paved the way for an office environment that prioritises wellbeing and a sense of community, as well as productivity and sustainability.
Its success was verified by a Leesman Office survey conducted in May 2022 scoring a Leesman Index Score (Lmi) of 79.0. Additionally, the Taiwan HQ also gained a Leesman+ certification – an achievement that mirrors the organisation’s global strategy.
Approach
A greater focus on wellbeing
Central to the transformation was the bank’s emphasis on employee wellbeing, leading it to dedicate a significant portion of floor space to wellbeing amenities. These included rejuvenation zones, quiet areas, and recreational spaces.
The 2022 results, showing a 32.9 percentage point increase in employee satisfaction with ‘Relaxing and taking a break’ in the new office, indicated great success of the bank’s efforts.
Promoting community
Standard Chartered revolutionised the dining experience by introducing micro-markets that encouraged movement within the building while offering a range of healthy meal options. This approach effectively enhanced both convenience and the overall health of employees.
The success was further verified by a 50.1 percentage point increase in employee satisfaction regarding ‘Restaurant/canteen’.
The power of technology and IT
By putting the needs of users first, Standard Chartered gained a 30.1% increase in employee satisfaction for ‘IT help desk’. This was achieved through the new Guru Bar — a specialised IT help desk enabling employees to promptly address IT-related concerns. The personalised service streamlined troubleshooting and improved overall productivity.
The introduction of Community Hosts further demonstrated the bank’s commitment to exceptional experiences, facilitating navigation, addressing queries, and nurturing connections, all of which contributed to a more collaborative and supportive workplace culture.
Everyday exceptional experience
The bank’s successful transition from individual offices to a shared workplace was supported by senior management’s willingness to lead by example, effectively streamlining communication and decision-making processes.
The integration of advanced booking systems and smart sensors further exemplified a commitment to flexibility and operational efficiency.
Sustainability – Top of the corporate agenda
Sustainability was a central focus throughout this transformation, with initiatives such as EV charging stations, energy-efficient lighting, and eco-friendly furniture taking priority. These efforts aligned seamlessly with the bank’s dedication to addressing climate change and promoting environmental responsibility.
The success was verified by its 2022 results with a 19.4% increase in employee agreement that their workplace had a positive ‘Impact on environmental sustainability’.
Conclusion
Standard Chartered’s journey toward delivering an unparalleled workplace experience, even amidst the pandemic, serves as a testament to its dedication to employee wellbeing and productivity.
The bank’s holistic approach, encompassing wellbeing, technology, sustainability, and accessibility, sets an example for organisations aiming to create positive and impactful workplace experience. Through its strategy, Standard Chartered continues to shape the future of workplace environments for the better.
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