New financial year, new layout for this newsletter! I thought I'd try to bring the focus issue to the front, with the Signals, Strategy and Impact links below. What do you think of the new layout?
Focus Issue - Biophilic design in the workplace
Biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements into the built environment, has a long history dating back to the mid-20th century when major corporations established campuses in natural settings to foster creativity and productivity. This design approach continues to gain popularity, with tech giants like Apple and Amazon embracing biophilic principles in their headquarters. Research has consistently shown that biophilic elements such as natural lighting, ventilation, plants, and green walls can boost productivity by 6%, creativity by 15%, and wellbeing by 15%.
Biophilic design takes many forms, from carpeting resembling grass to wood and stone materials to living plant walls. Even viewing images of nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health. The benefits extend beyond the individual to the community level, as biophilic urban planning can enhance social connection and overall public wellbeing. Projects like the "Smart Social Spaces" initiative demonstrate how technology and nature-centric design can be integrated to create healthier cities.
Looking ahead, biophilic design is poised to play an even bigger role as companies increasingly prioritise employee wellness and sustainable practices. Future developments like Saudi Arabia's NEOM aim to build fully renewable, biodiverse societies in harmony with nature. Emerging fields like urban microbiology are shedding light on how green spaces impact our health down to the microbiome level. And a new generation of architects are dreaming up innovations like climate-responsive buildings and urban biodiversity renewal.
The evidence is clear that biophilic design is more than a passing trend - it represents a fundamental shift in how we conceive of the spaces where we live and work. By mindfully bringing the outdoors in, we can create workplaces that are healthier, happier, and more inspiring. Businesses that embrace biophilic principles will likely reap the benefits in terms of boosted employee performance and reduced absenteeism and turnover. As the trend continues to accelerate, biophilic design may soon become an expectation rather than an exception. Organisations that fail to provide their people with access to nature, in whatever form, risk falling behind in the competition for talent and productivity. The future of work is green.
Consider these strategic insights:
Here are some actionable insights for Australian small/medium businesses based on the biophilic design report:
- Retrofit biophilic elements into existing workspaces: Even small changes like adding potted plants, natural materials, or nature artwork can provide measurable boosts to productivity and wellbeing without major renovations.
- Collaborate with local suppliers and designers: Partner with Australian nurseries, furniture makers, architects and others to source sustainable biophilic products and expertise, strengthening your local business ecosystem.
- Integrate biophilic principles into remote and hybrid work: Provide remote workers with resources and stipends to create nature-centric home offices. For hybrid workers, reimagine the office as a biophilic oasis that enhances the in-person experience.
- Measure impacts and tell your biophilic story: Quantify how biophilic initiatives affect key metrics like productivity, engagement and retention. Share your journey to educate stakeholders and attract values-aligned talent and customers.
Signals from the future:
Emerging trends that are likely to drive changes to the way we live, work and do business.
Energy/Climate:
- Batteries: how cheap can they get? - Auke’s Substack - Future advancements in battery technology will drastically reduce costs, making energy storage more affordable and revolutionising the electricity grid.
- Geothermal startup Fervo Energy has announced its largest contract to date, a milestone 15-year deal to sell 320 megawatts of power to Southern California Edison - r/Futurology - Harnessing geothermal energy for sustainable power generation, Fervo Energy's innovations promise a cleaner future, challenging traditional energy sources.
- IEA sees long oil demand plateau after peak - Commodity & Energy Price Benchmarks - Electric vehicle sales are projected to impact global oil demand, leading to a peak by 2030. IEA emphasises emission reductions to limit global warming.
- Global carbon capture market could rise from $2.7 billion in 2023 to $100 billion/yr from 2030-35 - r/Futurology - Unlocking the power of empathy in marketing to build strong connections with consumers and drive brand loyalty.
- China reduces investment in coal, increase solar capacity by 50% - Future(s) Studies - Unlocking new opportunities through cross-cultural communication and understanding is crucial for global business success.
Tech:
- Japan introduces enormous humanoid robot to maintain train lines - the Guardian - Innovative robotic solution for railway maintenance aims to address labor shortages and enhance safety in Japan's transportation sector.
- $120k in prizes for LLM bots that can compete with humans on predicting the future - Future(s) Studies - Harnessing AI to predict the future through a competitive platform challenges the capabilities of technology and human intuition.
- Electric Air Taxis Are on the Way: Quiet eVTOLs May Be Flying Passengers as Early as 2025 - Singularity Hub - The future of electric air taxis promises to revolutionise urban transportation with reduced emissions and increased accessibility, but faces challenges for widespread adoption.
- Gen AI Can Tailor Ads to Our Personalities-and They’re Pretty Persuasive - Kellogg Insight - Personalised gen AI advertising is more persuasive than generic ads, especially for experiences over products. Consumers are accepting of targeted messaging.
- Vertical Farming Company Bowery Is Reimagining the Fresh Food Supply Chain - Forbes - Vertical farming company Bowery utilises technology and AI to revolutionise agriculture, enhancing sustainability, efficiency, and food security through innovative vertical farming practices.
- What is 'AI washing' and why is it a problem? - r/Futurology - Misleading claims of AI use by companies, known as "AI washing," can deceive investors, harm operations, and erode consumer trust. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing.
Deep strategy:
Longer form articles rich with insights:
- Microsoft: A Case Study in Strategy Transformation - Harvard Business Review - Transformative change at Microsoft necessitated a shift from tradition to innovation, with CFO Amy Hood navigating the delicate balance between growth and profitability.
- Unpacking the mysteries of productivity - McKinsey - Unlocking productivity growth through AI is crucial for global economies. Factors like net zero, trade, and demographics play key roles.
- Why closing the small business productivity gap can create enormous value for economies - McKinsey - Unlocking the productivity potential of MSMEs could significantly boost economies worldwide by closing the gap with larger companies through tailored approaches and strategic partnerships.
Business at the point of impact:
Emerging issues and technology trends can change the way we work and do business.
- The Board’s Role in AI and Sustainability - The Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance - Boards must proactively address AI and sustainability challenges, leveraging them as strategic assets for value creation through collaboration and informed decision-making.
- Time-To-Automation Paradox - Forbes - Efficient automation in DevOps hinges on balancing human elements with tools and processes to avoid perpetual deferment and misalignment with business goals.
- 2024 Microsoft Work Trend Index Shows Shifting Workplace Dynamics - Forbes - Unlocking the potential of AI in the workplace requires aligning strategic goals, addressing security concerns, and investing in training for both employees and leaders.
- AI Success Depends on Tackling “Process Debt” - Harvard Business Review - Unlocking the full potential of AI in organisations involves addressing and overcoming process debt to achieve startling results and enhance work effectiveness.
