The DNA of Work
Advanced Workplace Associates
All episodes
Best episodes
Seasons
Top 10 The DNA of Work Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The DNA of Work episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The DNA of Work for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The DNA of Work episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Why you need the workplace management framework
The DNA of Work
05/16/23 • 27 min
Organizations are finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain the right skills and talent – in the face of rising employee expectations and fierce competition. Under these conditions, the experience people have at work is critical – leaving this to chance is foolish and wastes an enormous opportunity to ensure people have what they need to deliver for your organization.
Delivering the best workplace experiences requires you to carefully manage the workplace (whether that’s an office, or people’s homes). The Workplace Management Framework provides a structure for the development and assessment of best practice in the management of the workplace. And there is now a training course (available through IFMA) to help workplace professionals learn what they need to know and how to implement these best practices.
Here's a quick overview of the topics in this episode:
- Defining the experience of work (05:40)
- The creation of the workplace management framework (12:25)
- Discovering the “how to” aspects of the training program (18:14)
- Designing for change (21:31)
Mentions:
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Guests:
- Andrew Mawson, Founder & MD, AWA
- Brad Taylor, Director of Consulting, AWA
- Lucy Jeynes, Managing Director, Larch Consulting
AWA Guest details: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/our-team/
CONTACTS & WEBSITE details:
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson
AWA Institute contact: Natalia Savitcaia
Music: Licensed by Soundstripe – Lone Canyon
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Is hybrid hell on earth?
The DNA of Work
09/28/21 • 27 min
Is your organisation implementing a hybrid model? Are you responsible for delivering it for your organisation?
We look at who is typically getting the job of making hybrid work, why leadership commitment and support are vital, and how piloting can be a safe way to transition into a new model for your organisation. This journey is complicated and while some organisations don’t know how to get started, others are getting stuck. If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone.
Find out about the challenges facing those trying to navigate hybrid, such as HR and Corporate Real Estate and pick up some practical tips from our experts.
And if you’d like to know more, sign up for our AWI Event, “Journey to the new world – process for transition” (see details below).
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Featured guests:
- Celeste Tell, Senior Associate, AWA
- Nida Mehtab, Senior Associate, AWA
- Lisa Whited, Senior Associate, AWA
- Brad Taylor, Director of the Advanced Workplace Institute
AWA Guest details: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/about-awa/the-team/
AWI EVENT: Journey to the new world - process for transition
12 October 2021 4pm BST / 11am US Eastern / 8am US Pacific
If you would like to attend our online event, please register your interest using the link below, or get in touch with David or Brad (email addresses below):
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvcO2grjkpE9aYYvzxusXKJXvKU-6XfDrV
CONTACTS & WEBSITE details:
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Associates: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/
AWI contacts: David Smalley [email protected] and Brad Taylor [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Institute: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/services/advanced-workplace-institute/
Music: courtesy of bensounds.com
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Employment - all change
The DNA of Work
07/20/21 • 33 min
Since the start of the pandemic, organisations have been navigating many changes, not least of which is their relationships with employees. We’ve seen a softening in these relationships, with compassion and empathy now the watch words for managers. Our guests discuss the change in the balance of power at work, where many employees now feel empowered to speak more openly about what they need – whether that is within the current organisation, or a fresh start.
Sharing her popular catchphrase “The thing is not the thing”, Adria Horn from Tilson Technology Management explains that she learned through many years leading people in the military that it is often difficult for people to pinpoint the issues they are facing. So whatever they bring to you is generally not actually “the thing” – i.e. there is another, underlying issue that you need to try to help them uncover and then address. All part of the new approach to managing in a world where the pandemic has brought so many changes and challenges, but also opportunities.
In addition, AWA’s Izabel Barros shares her perspective on developments in Brazil, where 95% of Brazilian CEOs are looking to implement hybrid work environments. Labour laws are very strict in the country and Izabel tells us about an agreement reached between an insurance company and a union to implement flexibility at work, which looks like great progress.
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Featured guests:
- Adria Horn, Executive Vice President (Workplace), Tilson Technology Management (USA) https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriahorn/
- Lisa Whited, Senior Associate in Change Management, AWA (USA)
- Dr Izabel Barros, AWA (Brazil)
AWA Guest details: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/about-awa/the-team/
CONTACTS & WEBSITE details:
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Associates: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/
AWI contact: David Smalley [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Institute: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/services/advanced-workplace-institute/
Music: courtesy of bensounds.com
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Teaching old dogs new tricks
The DNA of Work
11/23/21 • 25 min
“If you’re a manager, then managing people is the most important thing you do" says our guest at the start of this episode, which looks at some of the things that managers can do to up their game when navigating current changes in the world of work.
Adjusting to new ways of working has been difficult for many (old dogs and new ones!), and plenty of managers have found themselves a little adrift, lacking the fully developed skills they need to manage in a hybrid world.
We explore some tips and approaches that can set managers and organisations on the right track. Often it just comes down to the basics – put people first (don’t have your back to them), empathise, ask more questions (many more!) listen and communicate authentically.
And for future managers – identify potential candidates and set them up to develop their skills over time, so that when the opportunity comes, they are ready to step into the role.
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Featured guests:
- Brad Taylor, Director of Consulting, AWA
- Philippa Hale, Senior Associate in Workplace Change Management, AWA
- Sue Warman, Vice President People at the AICPA and CIMA https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewarman/ https://www.aicpa.org/home
AWA Guest details: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/about-awa/the-team/
AWI event – 8 December 2021 4pm UK / 11am US Eastern / 8am US Pacific
If you would like to attend, please follow this link to register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArfuGgrDgtGdDJLcvr0tYtNoIWQpH0jWLn
CONTACTS & WEBSITE details:
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Associates: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/
AWI contact: Brad Taylor [email protected]
Music: courtesy of bensounds.com
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Can we really work anywhere?
The DNA of Work
11/09/21 • 29 min
In pre-Covid times, many organisations had very informal arrangements with employees who worked some or all of their time away from the office. Often, managers were the only ones that knew who was working remotely – HR departments had no need to record details or keep track of arrangements.
However, some employees now want to work remotely in a different country from the one in which their employer is based. Some apparently don’t even tell their employer before they leave the country!
This situation can open the employer and employee up to a whole raft of obligations, costs and taxes, depending upon where the employee works, where the company is based, how long the arrangement is going to last, and even the importance of the individual to the business.
Don’t sleepwalk into this situation! Our experts explain why employers need to carefully consider a range of aspects, so they can make conscious choices about what is right for their organisation and employee/s. Above all, you need a policy framework in this area, to protect you from nasty surprises which can range from additional cost to downright illegality.
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Featured guests:
- James Hourigan, Partner / Global Employer Services, BDO [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-hourigan-578022156/
- Ross Robertson, Partner / International Tax, BDO [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-robertson-40b8913a/
BDO https://www.bdo.co.uk/en-gb/home
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Associates: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/
AWI contacts: David Smalley [email protected] and Brad Taylor [email protected]
Music: courtesy of bensounds.com
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Don't slide into hybrid
The DNA of Work
10/26/21 • 29 min
Many organisations are grappling with their arrangements for hybrid working – trying to figure out what’s right for them. And that’s ok – nobody has a foolproof blueprint for the post pandemic world – everyone is finding what works for them, for now. You don’t need all the answers and living with some ambiguity and uncertainty is something we’ve all had to do since March 2020.
Things will change, and your response should evolve so that the agreements you have in place adapt to where you are and what your people need.
AWA has a 7-step process to help organisations navigate this terrain. We outline the steps, which form part of a change management process and we’ll explore why this is necessary to get everyone on board and feeling like they own the change and the way forward.
The pandemic has been hard, but this is an opportunity to put some things in place that we didn’t have before, and we’ve probably needed for years – like Taco Tuesdays!
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Featured guests:
- Lisa Whited, Senior Associate in Change Management, AWA
- Anne Balle, Senior Associate in Change Management, AWA
AWA Guest details: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/about-awa/the-team/
Author mentioned by Lisa: James Clear: Atomic Habits
CONTACTS & WEBSITE details:
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Associates: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/
AWI contacts: David Smalley [email protected] and Brad Taylor [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Institute: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/services/advanced-workplace-institute/
Music: courtesy of bensounds.com
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Just how do you lead a hybrid organization?
The DNA of Work
04/04/23 • 29 min
Leadership is leadership - if leaders and managers struggled pre pandemic, it's likely they're struggling now - unless they've upskilled. Hybrid is shining a bright light on management and leadership skills - exacerbating shortcomings and causing some to return to pre pandemic ways of working - to what's easier for them (not easier for their people).
This is a dangerous, slippery slope that will see people quit because they know how it feels to determine and control they way they work and to find meaning in their work. It's time to think about how managers are appointed, supported and rewarded to avoid these unfolding disasters.
Here's a quick overview of the topics in this episode:
- Trust is key (07:52)
- Listen, question assumptions and experiment (17:57)
- Appoint the right people and reward them appropriately (19:30)
- What can we do to make a difference? (24:43)
Mentions:
- Help your employees find purpose—or watch them leave (McKinsey article mentioned by Lisa)
- Six Factors (mentioned by Lisa) - Managing the virtual workforce (AWA report)
- Millennials And Gen Z: Now Is The Time To Reshape Businesses To Harness Their Power (Forbes article - mentioned by Partha)
- Promoting Technical Experts to People Managers (Evolving Strategies article - mentioned by Lisa)
- AWA Institute details and events (mentioned by Karen)
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Guests:
- Lisa Whited, Senior Associate for change management, AWA
- Partha Sarma, Senior Associate, AWA
- Imran Qureshi, Head of North America, WTW
- Philippa Hale, Senior Associate, AWA
AWA Guest details: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/our-team/
CONTACTS & WEBSITE details:
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson
AWA Institute contact: Natalia Savitcaia
Music: Licensed by Soundstripe – Lone Canyon
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Let's hack the workplace
The DNA of Work
12/21/21 • 31 min
After 20 months of Covid, and looking back on the mediocre workplaces that we’ve all experienced, what does the future hold? The balance of power certainly seems to have changed, and people feel empowered to make choices about where they work on any given day. Many are opting to work more of the week from home than in the office.
This is causing some consternation in organisations. There is anxiety about the loss of culture, socialisation, collaboration and innovation through not having people in the office enough of the time. Whether any of these things are actually true, there is no doubt that the option to go into the office some of the time, to see and interact with colleagues is an important part of most people’s world of work.
How then can we draw people back to the office? Can we make it “better than home” for the right types of activities? How do we create a sense of purpose that people can connect to? How can we show people that we value them? Can we make the workplace hackable, so people can customise it to their needs? And can we make a significant contribution to climate change, by reducing the amount of space we occupy and therefore the amount we continue to heat, light and resource.
All of this and more (including bathrooms!) in this episode.
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Featured guests:
- Lisa Whited, Senior Associate, AWA
- Clark Elliott, Senior Associate, AWA
- Chris Hood, ex-Director of Consulting, AWA
- Gervais Tompkin, Founder of Plus Gervais LLC
AWA Guest details: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/about-awa/the-team/
Further material referred to by Lisa:
TED Talk: How to start a movement
If you would like to attend the AWI webinar - "Working abroad - dispelling the tax myths" on 12 January 2022 (4pm UK, 11am US Eastern, 8am US Pacific) , please use this link to register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tMG3gRQhRuG1XjPClvFZDg
CONTACTS & WEBSITE details:
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Associates: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/
AWI contact: Brad Taylor [email protected]
Music: courtesy of bensounds.com
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Why can't I think?
The DNA of Work
10/12/21 • 30 min
Are there times when you just can’t get started on a piece of work? Do you find it difficult to focus sometimes, particularly when there are constant interruptions? Does working with people you don’t know well feel like hard work?
These situations and many more reflect the level of mental workload we experience under different conditions. They are a combination of many factors – some of which have been researched and links have been established, so we know that they definitely have an impact on the load that we experience. Aspects such as the strength of our personal relationships and trust can help reduce the amount of mental workload we experience.
Our guests, both authors of AWA’s recent research, share some examples of how to unlock the reasons why our mental workload is affected, and what we might be able to do to combat the effect. Raising awareness is important, so we can be more self-aware and equipped to help ourselves (and others in our team) by taking positive action.
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Featured guests:
- Colombine Gardair, Senior Associate, Cognitive Science, AWA
- Lara Al Ansari, Associate, Research & Development, AWA
AWA Guest details: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/about-awa/the-team/
CONTACTS & WEBSITE details:
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Associates: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/
AWI contacts: David Smalley [email protected] and Brad Taylor [email protected]
Advanced Workplace Institute: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/awa/services/advanced-workplace-institute/
Music: courtesy of bensounds.com
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Why is everyone talking about workplace experiences?
The DNA of Work
01/31/23 • 34 min
We all have "workplace experiences" every day - but whether they are left to chance or consciously thought about and curated can make a world of difference to how we absorb our organisation's vision, brand and values.
Writing values on the walls and expecting that to do the job won't cut it. If the lived experience of the organisation (in the office, at home, and culturally) is filled with jarring disconnects from the story it tells about what it values, then the level of friction and lack of authenticity may drive people to disengage, and ultimately to leave. Which is why workplace experiences matter now, more than ever.
Here's a quick overview of the topics in this episode:
- The brain is the starting point (01:21)
- We can't leave workplace experiences to chance (07:12)
- Reward Gateway's journey - part 1 (17:16)
- Every element of the experience represents your brand (25:26)
AWA Host: Karen Plum
Guests:
- Andrew Mawson, Founder and Managing Director, AWA
- Brad Taylor, Director of Consulting, AWA
- Catrin Lewis, Head of Global Engagement and Internal Communications, Reward Gateway
AWA Guest details: https://www.advanced-workplace.com/our-team/
Reward Gateway additional materials:
- London office ways of working and office tour
- Project Meadow YouTube video, sharing the story of the London office
CONTACTS & WEBSITE details:
AWA contact: Andrew Mawson
AWA Institute contact: Natalia Savitcaia
Music: Licensed by Soundstripe – Lone Canyon
Want to know more about AWA?
Thanks for listening to the DNA of work podcast
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does The DNA of Work have?
The DNA of Work currently has 62 episodes available.
What topics does The DNA of Work cover?
The podcast is about Management, Podcasts and Business.
What is the most popular episode on The DNA of Work?
The episode title 'The rise of the employee consumer' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The DNA of Work?
The average episode length on The DNA of Work is 30 minutes.
How often are episodes of The DNA of Work released?
Episodes of The DNA of Work are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of The DNA of Work?
The first episode of The DNA of Work was released on May 22, 2021.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ