The challenge
Citydev, the Brussels housing corporation, had been operating since the 1990s in the old Gosset cigar factory in the heart of Sint-Jans Molenbeek. Due to its closed and traditional nature, these offices no longer met the needs of modern business operations. The management decided to thoroughly renovate the Gosset site while temporarily relocating to a modernized office building in central Brussels. Citydev plays an important role in strengthening and expanding the social fabric of Brussels, meaning visibility and accessibility of the administration’s activities are essential. The project also needed to focus on improving collaboration and communication between teams. By moving away from a traditional office environment, they aimed to strengthen knowledge exchange, increase transparency, and promote collaboration across departments. Additionally, they wanted to emphasize sustainability by working with local partners and using recyclable materials.
Our Approach
brainmove was engaged to guide Citydev throughout the entire transformation process. We began by developing a clear vision for the journey. Through workshops with the management team, the project brand “Connect” was launched. All change initiatives were organized and communicated under this brand. Citydev also wanted to transition to a paperless work environment, so digitalization and archiving were thoroughly addressed.
brainmove supported Citydev in assessing the needs and processes of the teams. A participative approach was used to develop team profiles, and the needs were aligned with the teams through workshops and creative brainstorming sessions. An ambassadors group was activated to develop “quick wins” that led to concrete and visible progress.
brainmove advised Citydev on the concept for the new work environment and, in collaboration with various partners, developed both the macro and micro plans for the new building. They also requested support for the actual move. brainmove played a central role in the execution of the relocation and ensured the project stayed on track. We created a tailored checklist and a comprehensive retro planning document to ensure a smooth move. The creation and activation of a project team through various measures were key to the success of the project.
Result
A change process should not be limited to a few events, but should be a true process where employees are gradually involved. By providing employees with a clear framework, we were able to organize their participation safely and reduce resistance. Ultimately, Citydev moved to a dynamic and more open work environment, focusing on knowledge exchange and collaboration. Through regular surveys with specialized questionnaires followed by evaluation sessions, the client was able to observe an increase in both employee satisfaction and user comfort.