HI there, 

WELCOME TO THE INNERCIRCLE:

your monthly recap to stay connected with the world of Smart tech and Smart life.

LET US BEGIN WITH SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT...

It’s winter. It’s month 11 of a pandemic. It’s time for a distraction. So, before we get down to business, grab a reusable cup and meet us by the virtual water cooler. It’s time to answer some pressing debates:

• Tampa Bay v. Kansas City: Who you got in the Super Bowl? Can old man Brady do it?
• Which groundhog did you bet on today? Puxatawny Phil or Wiarton Willie? 
• Reddit v. Wall street: what should happen now? (Too soon?)

RETURN TO WORK TIMELINE

Speaking of pressing questions, businesses are abuzz with not why or if we should get back to the office – but rather how and when. In our Top 5 Trends predictions for 2021, we talked about why working from home isn’t capable of fully driving the future of work.  

With vaccine roll-outs in flux and new COVID variants causing concern, a return to the office won’t be immediate, but we do expect it to happen this year. In our recent post, we explore the timeline to expect – which, (spoiler alert!) won’t see colleagues in ergonomic seats in a meaningful way until Q4 of this year.  

But what must happen right now is planning for that return. This is a new era of how we think about work – so it’s time to rethink office design and useability, too. Tech for Good, Society and the Future of Work, Better Business – these were all key themes on the Davos agenda a week ago too, as global thought leaders debated the evolution of how we interact with each other, the spaces where we work, and the impact of those spaces on the environment and our wellbeing. 

While it’s all so much to digest, it’s also a unique opportunity to embrace. We’re excited for the journey and will, throughout 2021, help uncover the answers.   

HOW TO HELP EMPLOYEES AND REGAIN LOST PRODUCTIVITY

To every business that is driven by the efforts of employees committed to a mission, productivity is everything. But boy is it a delicate ingredient to success, one that can be compromised if employee needs aren’t adequately considered, or by forces beyond control. 

Studies reveal that employees are increasingly impacted by feelings of isolation, stress, loneliness and declining mental health. That alone is an urgent problem, and it fuels reduced enthusiasm, sense of purpose, and low morale. 

As a result, productivity is endangered. As companies spy an eventual office return, leaders must embrace the pillars of choice, motivation and efficiency to support employees and build back productivity. 

Offices must become a service for employees to access, not an arbitrary place to visit. They must offer frictionless access to technology and resources, meeting and work spaces in order to maximize productivity. At the same time, companies can rethink their real estate hubs by sourcing spaces closer to suburban locations, giving employees the option to touch base without having to travel downtown.

NEW IN SMART TECH

The supermarket chain Kroger is the latest retailer to dive into Smart shopping carts to streamline a more touchless, efficient checkout experience via the AI firm Caper and its touchscreen-enabled buggies. 

An interesting new feature in MIT Technology Review suggests how professional sports leagues are prime for a deep digital transformation, from wearable tech boosting athlete performance to new immersive fan experience for those in the seats and those at home. Check out our work with Smart Stadiums to increase their fan experience. 

Ryerson University (shout out to InnerSpace’s hometown of Toronto) is leaning into a Smart campus project that will use predictive analytics, sensors and monitors, to get greener and cut energy costs while paving the way for Smart buildings – and of course a safe return to the lecture hall. 

Also in Canadian news, Montreal’s BrainBox AI is now live in 16 countries, a big pandemic success story fuelled by their autonomous software to enable Smart HVAC systems for office buildings, hotels and airports.  

Audio lovers might be interested in this updated list of the top Smart tech podcasts – and boy does it cover some territory.

IN OUR SPACE ...

• ICYMI part I: We are talking a lot about the coming shift toward a “Dynamic Office.” If you haven’t read our article detailing the lay of the land on this burning topic yet, it’s worth the five minutes. Find it here.
• ICYMI part II: We produced a 5 step guide for how the return-to-the-office can unfold in a manner safe for staff and good for the bottom line (as it relates to assessing your real estate needs). Find it here. 
• InnerSpace is pleased to sign a pledge by Canadian Council of Innovators to give our staff time off to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 when it becomes more widely available. (More on that here.)

"The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house. All that cold, cold, wet day."

-Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

That's a wrap... 

THANKS FOR READING, FOR SUBSCRIBING, AND FOR BEING PART OF THE CONVERSATION. GET IN TOUCH ANY TIME WITH QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK.

Stay well, stay safe.

YOUR TEAM AT INNERSPACE