The competition for talent has intensified in recent years, but the reasons why have shifted. Today, the real comparison employees make isn’t just between companies and salary, but the workplace experience and location on offer. This was a topic much debated at Savills panel discussion at the CoreNet Global Portfolio Management Partner Webinar that considered topics including the expectations on the workplace and how to attract and maintain the best employees.

More than ever, employees are placing factors such as hybrid working, culture and personalisation at the centre of their career decisions. Organisations that recognise and respond to these expectations could be better positioned to attract and retain top talent; the challenge is to create workplaces that offer an experience compelling enough to draw people in.

For many employees, a positive workplace experience is an expectation. The focus is shifting toward organisations that can provide predictability, personalisation and purpose, rather than simply offering a generic hybrid working structure.

As the ‘experience economy’ continues to mature, employees increasingly expect the same personalisation from their workplace that they receive from the digital platforms they use as Spotify, Netflix and Klarna deliver intuitive, tailored user experiences. Employees are now looking for workplaces that mirror this responsiveness, offering environments that adapt to their individual routines, preferences and needs.

While many companies are focused on attracting new and retaining existing talent, they can often overlook one of the biggest drivers of employee attrition: everyday friction.

Small but persistent frustrations can have a significant impact on employee satisfaction and productivity. These can include outdated workplace environments, limited access to mentorship, unreliable technology or inefficient processes. Even seemingly minor inconveniences such as difficulty booking meeting rooms, searching for available desks, noise, or long waits for lifts can erode the overall employee experience.

Addressing these everyday friction points is essential to create a workplace that people genuinely want to be part of.

The potential of AI in improving the workplace

Artificial intelligence and workplace data are increasingly being recognised as powerful tools for improving the employee experience.

By analysing patterns in how employees use space, technology and time, organisations can better understand what people need to work effectively. This insight can help predict demand for different types of workspaces, improve resource allocation and design environments that support both individual productivity and collaboration. In doing so, companies can connect workplace decisions directly to human outcomes and business performance.

Forward-thinking organisations are beginning to adopt operating systems that integrate space, technology, data and behaviour, allowing workplaces to evolve dynamically, responding to how employees actually work rather than relying on rigid frameworks.

Managing a multi-generational workforce

Adding further complexity, is the presence of up to five generations working s together. While this diversity presents challenges, it also creates significant opportunities.

Each generation brings different forms of experience. When supported effectively, this can create powerful opportunities for intergenerational learning; a key driver of innovation.

Workplace design must therefore evolve to support a broader range of needs. Rather than structuring spaces purely around tasks, organisations are increasingly exploring environments designed around cognitive states such as deep focus, collaboration, social interaction or restoration.

Designing workplaces that people choose

The demand for talent is no longer simply about offering competitive salaries or flexible policies. Instead, it’s about creating workplaces that people actively choose to engage with.

Organisations that focus on reducing everyday friction, personalising the workplace experience and supporting a diverse, multi-generational workforce will be better positioned to succeed. By combining thoughtful design, workplace data and emerging technologies, companies have an opportunity to reimagine the office.

Further information

Contact Kelly McGarvey (née Hamer)