You’ve nailed the business idea, found a gorgeous office space, and hired an all-star team. But creating a truly great workplace takes more than that. If you’re aiming for an exceptional workplace experience, it's crucial to ensure your team feels connected and purposeful. Building these connections is key, and while technology and solutions can help, the effort you put in matters most.
We’ve gathered insights from six companies that are acing their connected workplace. Dive in, learn from the best, and see what you can implement to elevate your own workplace.
What is a connected workplace and why is it important?
A connected workplace goes beyond physical spaces, blending technology, communication, and a vibrant company culture to spark collaboration and innovation. It empowers employees to connect and collaborate effortlessly, boosting productivity and creating a cohesive, energized environment. Embracing this approach is the key to elevating employee satisfaction and driving business success.
For more insights and actionable tips, read our guide on building a connected workplace in 2024.
6 best practices of connected workplaces
Here's how six companies designed a connected workplace tailored to their specific needs. Each approached the challenge differently, resulting in a workplace that suited them perfectly.
1. Canva
Canva's hybrid work environment expertly balances flexibility and connection. Rooted in its mission to empower global design, Canva upholds values that support a unified culture across all locations.
Canva promotes meaningful connections through team events, cross-departmental meetups, and its own vibrant communal spaces like cafes and bars in its offices. Their virtual initiatives such as the Canva Cooking School and seasonal online activities, along with physical gatherings like escape rooms and bowling, maintain engagement across remote teams. Their "Force for Good" initiative encourages volunteerism, fostering a sense of community among employees.
Canva's commitment to inclusion ensures every team member feels valued from day one, supported by customizable benefits like the "Vibe & Thrive" allowance for home office setups, professional growth, and wellbeing. With a culture driven by ongoing feedback, Canva remains a dynamic, supportive, and connected workplace.
Key features of Canva’s connected workplace:
- Regular virtual and in-person team events
- “Force for Good” initiative to foster a sense of community
- Customizable “Vibe & Thrive” allowance for diverse needs
2. Drata
Drata is a great example of how to maintain a connected remote workplace. They foster lively interactions with tools like Slack and Gong, using location-specific channels for meetups, team gatherings, and quarterly training sessions to prioritize knowledge sharing and team connections.
The onboarding process is designed for teamwork, with new hires joining cohorts to support one another and access dynamic live and on-demand content. Cross-departmental meetups during onboarding further integrate newcomers into the company culture, reinforcing a sense of connection.
Drata’s dynamic virtual quarterly business reviews feature engaging activities, speakers, and trivia, enhancing learning experiences. Their dedication to fostering genuine human connections contributes to their success in creating a collaborative and connected remote workplace, proving that remote environments can rival the engagement of in-person settings.
Key features of Drata’s connected workplace:
- Team-specific off-sites
- Use of Slack for chats and location-specific meetups
- Transparent company-wide meetings with department updates
3. EPIC Agency
EPIC’s workspace embodies creativity and inspiration with spacious offices, cozy chill zones, a modern cafeteria, a theater, and even a Lego museum. Their dedicated Happiness manager ensures a harmonious blend of productivity and enjoyment by organizing team-building events and ensuring a constant supply of croissants.
EPIC enhanced their workplace environment by implementing Joan workplace experience platform. Joan's introduction revolutionized the way meeting rooms are managed, offering an intuitive interface and real-time updates that simplify booking, promoting efficiency and reducing scheduling conflicts. This upgrade has not only optimized operations but also nurtured a more productive and cohesive work environment at EPIC.
Key features of EPIC's connected workplace:
- Dedicated Happiness Manager
- Implementation of Joan workplace experience platform
- Creative workspace environment that inspires creativity
4. Zappi
Zappi cultivates a connected workplace centered on collaboration, respect, and support. As a distributed company, Zappi emphasizes cross-functional teamwork, empowering diverse teams with tools like Slack, Notion, Jira, Miro, and Trello. They developed a custom Slack app to match random people for virtual coffees each week, and their all-hands meeting on Fridays includes a DJ. The open door policies, quarterly surveys, and leadership consultations ensure every voice is heard.
Transparency is a cornerstone of Zappi's connected culture, exemplified by their CEO's 94% approval rating on Glassdoor. His leadership encourages open dialogue and trust, fostering an environment where ideas are valued and collaboration thrives. Open door policies, quarterly surveys, and regular leadership consultations ensure that all perspectives are valued and contribute to their inclusive workplace culture.
Key features of Zappi’s connected workplace:
- Transparent and inclusive leadership
- Use of various project management apps
- Open door policy and regular employee surveys
5. Strata
Strata nurtures a vibrant culture centered on collaboration and continuous growth. The company ensures every team member is set up for success with tailored onboarding plans that feature hands-on learning alongside peers. Their quarterly new hire retreats at the Chicago campus deepen connections among leaders and peers, fostering a strong community and shared sense of purpose.
Beyond onboarding, Strata invests in career development through initiatives like a career lattice structure and comprehensive leadership training, enriching skills across various career paths. This commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a connected workplace reflects Strata's belief that collective learning and growth empower employees to make a meaningful impact.
Key features of Strata's connected workplace:
- In-person team collaboration days on campuses
- Career lattice structure for diverse career progression
- Quarterly new hire retreats for leadership and peer connections
6. Pax8
Pax8's connected workplace focuses on creating dynamic environments that entice staff away from their comfortable home setups. Their efforts are not just about boosting productivity; it's about crafting spaces that add significant value to the workday, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. This vision drove Pax8's innovative office layouts, integrating cutting-edge technology like Joan and design elements that enhance both utility and allure.
Pax8's strategy includes designing for diversity and flexibility, tailoring city offices to young professionals who prefer vibrant, centrally-located spaces, and suburban offices for older employees who value amenities like ample parking and a quieter atmosphere. Their office design emphasizes zones rather than departments, including quiet zones for focused work and more vibrant, busy areas that facilitate collaboration and social interaction.
Pax8 offices feature high-quality amenities, such as catering services, transforming the workplace into a desirable destination where employees can enjoy exceptional food and refreshments, making the office a place where they want to be, not just where they need to be.
Key features of Pax8’s connected workplace:
- Zoned design for diverse work styles and needs
- Innovative office layouts with cutting-edge technology
- City offices for young professionals and suburban offices for older employees
Create a connected workplace with Joan
One solution you can count on to build a connected workplace is Joan. Joan takes workplace experience to the next level by ensuring every inch of your space is optimized, simplifying team interactions, and integrating seamlessly with your technological needs. With Joan, your office isn't just a place to work—it's a place where everyone thrives.
Contact us today, If you're ready to transform your workplace into a well-oiled, productivity-boosting machine.