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 Todayâs 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. âWeâre all humans,â Skiba explains. âWe like to think that weâve come to the decision to do something.â This philosophy extends beyond policy to practical implementation â from intelligent desk booking systems that prevent âdesk piratesâ to thoughtfully designed spaces with proper acoustics and lighting.
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Future-Proofing the Office
Skiba emphasizes that collaboration technology isnât for the people in the room â itâs 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 âflip too farâ 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 isnât about enforcementâitâs about creating destinations that inspire productivity and connection.
