BCBusiness

January 2015 Best Cities for Work in B.C.

With a mission to inform, empower, celebrate and advocate for British Columbia's current and aspiring business leaders, BCBusiness go behind the headlines and bring readers face to face with the key issues and people driving business in B.C.

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+ cadillac fairview T here may not be a magic formula for creating a winning business, but with the right office space you certainly increase your odds for success. "An environment that encourages creativity, innovation and collaboration is the gold standard when it comes to leasing office space," says Lou Ficocelli, Senior Director of Office Leasing for Western Canada at Cadillac Fairview. "The search should start with four main requirements: a great location, convenient amenities, natural light and efficient space." These fac- tors are highly valued by the modern workforce and are essential to attracting top tal- ent, so keep all four in mind when you're on the hunt for a new office. Today's employees are less likely to own a car, so properties with easy access to rapid transit have the edge. And once employees get to work, the shops and services located in the direct vicinity can affect the appeal of the office too. "Access to high-quality food and coffee at or near the building is considered part of the ame- nity package, together with technology-rich meeting and fitness facilities, and mod- ern and generously sized end-of-trip facilities like: bike storage, locker rooms and shower facilities." Employers have come to understand the convenience of having such amenities within or next to their building, and many property management companies have committed significant capital to ensur- ing these amenities meet or exceed the needs of their clients. The "right to light" has also become an important consideration for companies pursuing a productive envi- ronment. "In the pursuit of creativity, innovation and collaboration, more firms are constructing environ- ments with less offices and more open spaces. Further to that, the panel heights of the worksta- tions are far shorter to allow for that light to flow right to the employees throughout the floor." These simple design considerations support areas within an office often referred to as 'We Spaces.' "These are open and well-lit collabora- tion areas throughout the floor where teams can conduct impromptu meetings or work ses- sions," Ficocelli explains. This may include an open lounge with high-top tables and a large mounted monitor for sharing and working on electronic documents, or soft seating areas with low tables for sharing projects. And this is where the efficiency comes in: buildings with a centre core, an efficient, column- free floor plate and effective floor-to-ceiling glass pro- vide the platform for these designs. Fostering an Engaging Workplace To run a great business, you need a great office. Cadillac Fairview's lou ficocelli shares his thoughts on a productive work environment Ready to find your perfect space? Visit pacificcentreoffice.com and waterfrontproperties.com. Space plan by SSdG interiors inc. Created by BCBusiness in partnership with

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