In an era where return-to-office mandates dominate headlines, Giles Skiba from Symity offers a refreshing perspective on creating workplaces that employees actually want to visit. Speaking with UC Today’s Kieran Devlin, Skiba draws from 25 years of AV and collaboration experience to outline what makes modern offices truly effective.
The key? Soft encouragement over hard mandates. “We’re all humans,” Skiba explains. “We like to think that we’ve come to the decision to do something.” This philosophy extends beyond policy to practical implementation – from intelligent desk booking systems that prevent “desk pirates” to thoughtfully designed spaces with proper acoustics and lighting.
Future-Proofing the Office
Skiba emphasizes that collaboration technology isn’t for the people in the room – it’s for remote participants. Poor room design, not equipment failure, often creates those frustrating meetings where boardroom participants are invisible or inaudible to virtual attendees.
Looking ahead, Skiba predicts the current aggressive RTO push will “flip too far” before finding its natural balance. Success lies in making office visits feel like events worth attending, complete with synchronized team presence, visitor-friendly environments, and technology that enhances rather than hinders collaboration. The future office isn’t about enforcement—it’s about creating destinations that inspire productivity and connection.
