THIS WEEK

The missing ingredient in workplace investments? It’s community.

Companies are upgrading their offices, but something still isn’t working. New Steelcase global research reveals employees still feel underwhelmed — even after workplace improvements. The gap comes down to more than design. It’s about community. Insights from nearly 5,500 workers show when people feel a sense of belonging and can access a variety of spaces, they’re more productive, engaged and report better wellbeing. Explore how creating workplaces that foster connection transforms the employee experience and performance.

RESEARCH

Four High-Impact Fixes to Make the Office Worth It

A workplace can look great. But what really defines a good day is whether it helps people get work done. A new global Steelcase study identifies four critical gaps holding the office back. Targeted improvements, even subtly at first, can make a meaningful difference right away.

DESIGN

The Business Case for Community

Community isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s what drives better work. Community-Based Design, the approach Steelcase uses to create its own spaces, draws from urban planning principles to create thriving, resilient workplaces.

WORK BETTER PODCAST

Why Quieter Offices Aren’t Better with Bill Schiffmiller

SEASON 8 / EPISODE 9

Office noise has a way of telling on us – every clatter, interruption or raised voice is a clue about how people are really working and feeling. In this Work Better podcast, Bill Schiffmiller, founder of Akoio and a lifelong expert in auditory health, explains that noise isn’t just an irritant but a form of information that reveals stress points, communication breakdowns and cultural friction inside organizations.

He breaks the auditory experience into three parts: noise, sound and hearing and argues that designing workplaces with this full spectrum in mind leads to healthier, more inclusive environments. Schiffmiller reframes sound as a strategic asset, showing how auditory awareness directly shapes how people feel, focus and ultimately thrive at work.

New & Notable

Places and products that work better

CAFÉ SPACES

Where Work Meets Community

Today’s café spaces do more than serve food — they support how people move, pause and connect throughout the workday. Designed with function and flow in mind, the café becomes a natural extension of work. WorkValet lockers keep personal items close and organized, while the Jean Nouvel Seating Collection adds a relaxed, organic feel. Together, they create a space that feels easy, intuitive and welcoming.

Let’s help make work better.