The challenge
For many years, Partena Professional operated from the outdated Kartuizer building in the old center of Brussels. This building no longer met the requirements of a modern, professional work environment. Based on a “stay or leave” analysis, the organization decided to leave the building and search for a new location near the central station, improving proximity to public transportation. The new workplace concept also needed to address the needs of hybrid working. Due to the increase in remote work, the available office space in the Kartuizer building had become too large.
Partena Pro operates based on the principles of “Collaborative Governance.” In this organizational model, leadership tasks are distributed among team members, who collaborate in “circles.” This allows employees to have more autonomy and encourages them to take on more responsibility. This innovative organizational model enhances the organization’s agility and requires a workspace that supports it. The circles regularly align and use various formal and informal meeting spaces for this purpose. Additionally, work is highly project-oriented, with employees gathering based on the specific projects they are working on.
Partena Pro chose the stunning Aria building near Brussels Central Station and engaged brainmove to conduct a thorough needs analysis. Since the organization wanted to move away from the traditional office model with fixed, assigned desks, they also asked brainmove to develop a tailored change management process.
Our approach
brainmove began with strategic interviews to map out the expectations and needs of the stakeholders. The results of the interviews were discussed in a vision workshop. We then used our profiling methodology to gain a clear understanding of the future activities of the teams in the new building. Finally, we organized several thematic workshops to analyze the typical processes within Partena Pro and align them with the needs of the “Collaborative Governance” model. Based on insights from the extensive needs analysis, we developed an optimal workplace concept. Partena Pro decided to adopt a fully flexible model where employees share workstations and choose spaces based on their needs.
Setting up a participatory process in a participatory organization is a delicate operation. The right balance must be struck between the needs and strategy of the organization on one hand, and the personal desires of the staff on the other.
The leaders in the organization play a crucial role in the change process. They need to motivate their teams and ensure that well-being is prioritized. Partena Pro decided to invest in a comprehensive support process, developing various training modules. We provided training for managers to sharpen their roles in hybrid working, with a focus on knowledge sharing, well-being, and communication.
We worked closely with a fantastic group of ambassadors who helped us establish clear behavioral agreements for the new work environment. These ambassadors were also engaged as trainers during the process. Together with this group, we rolled out an evaluation and post-implementation support process.
The result
The evidence-based methodology of brainmove provided clear and objective data that could be used as input for the design team. Through close collaboration with the interior designer, we were able to translate the teams’ needs into an ambitious and high-performance work environment. The innovative concept symbolizes the dynamics within Partena Pro and can serve as a showcase for professional clients. Through a tactical participatory process, employees were cleverly involved in the project, strengthening the support for the new way of working.
