A future framework for workplace environments

Okta is the leading independent provider of identity for the enterprise. The company's vision is to make its customers successful by enabling them to securely use the best technologies for their business, whether that's the technologies they use internally to be more productive or those they use to provide a great customer experience through an app or website.

To support its vision, Okta places a great emphasis on workplace strategy and its impact on corporate culture and employee satisfaction. Well before the world had to unexpectedly transition into remote and home-based work environments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Okta had been exploring a new workplace strategy that would take advantage of a fully distributed workforce, reducing the reliance on traditional office settings.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, shelter-in-place orders and strict social distancing guidelines across the globe created unprecedented challenges for many businesses. Organizations that were not previously accustomed to remote work had to quickly adapt, redefining their traditional operations. Technology solutions, virtual workflows, and new digital communication strategies had to be quickly developed and implemented, with varying degrees of success.

As a leader in highly functional, technology-enabled, flexible workplace environments, Okta already had more than 30 percent of its staff working remotely prior to the pandemic. This was still short, however, of Okta's ultimate goal to not only support remote-based work, but to implement the most agile, flexible workstyle as a core element of the Okta brand and culture. They wanted to rethink how and where they hire as an organization, how to optimize employee engagement, and how office space can be used as a tool to support productive work, rather than as a requirement for employment. They envisioned a dramatic new Dynamic Work strategy that supports employees with the necessary tools and technology while creating flexibility for employees to work and live wherever it made the most sense for them and their families.

In support of this vision, Okta developed the concept of distributed Experience Centers and engaged Flad to help visualize what this new work strategy might look like. Shifting away from traditional workplace environments that contain office space, desks, and conferencing areas, Experience Centers would serve as hubs for remote workers, featuring advanced technology and tools for conferencing, collaborating, and sharing Okta's products and services. Employees can enjoy the freedom of working from any location, but also have the option of a local workspace with typical office resources available as needed.

The image and character of these new Experience Center spaces was also an essential component as an extension of the Okta brand and culture and was envisioned as a branded storefront, much like an Apple retail and service store. The space concept blends a strong visual style with a casual work setting, café services, technology support, and conference facilities, all within a compact space footprint suitable for any urban or suburban area.

Flad is excited to continue working with Okta as they begin implementing this exciting new strategy. To learn more about Okta and their new Dynamic Work approach and the Experience Center concept, check out their recent blog article. For more information on Flad and our workplace strategy solutions, contact us here.