

Workplace Innovator Podcast | Enhancing Your Employee Experience | Facility Management | CRE | Digital Workplace Technology
Eptura™
The Workplace Innovator Podcast, hosted by speaker, entrepreneur and answer-man Mike Petrusky, offers real-world insights from top facility management & workplace leaders on how to use tech, talent and tenacity to create the best workplaces on earth. Powered by Eptura™, The Workplace Innovator helps corporate real estate, facility management, IT, and HR leaders design incredible “friction-free” workplace experiences that fuel employee productivity, tech innovation and optimal space utilization, today, and tomorrow. Tune in now!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2024 • 22min
Ep. 324: “Prioritize Well-being” – Data-Driven Solutions for Improving Workplace Experience with Bryan Berthold of Cushman & Wakefield
Bryan Berthold is Global Lead of Workplace Experience at Cushman & Wakefield where he is passionate about transforming workplace experiences using data-driven solutions. Mike Petrusky ask Bryan to share the latest research and insights his team has discovered related to the importance of well-being in the workplace and how facility management and corporate real estate leaders can improve the overall employee experience. They agree that flexibility and choice are essential components of a positive workplace experience and Bryan shares the data to back this up. As the purpose of office spaces shifts towards community and connection, FM and real estate professionals are well-positioned to take the lead in solving the challenges of hybrid work due to their integrated problem-solving skills. Tune in as Mike and Bryan offer you the information and inspiration you need to be a workplace innovator in your organization! Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanberthold/ Learn more about C&W Experience per Square Foot™ Instant Insights: https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/united-states/insights/experience-per-square-foot-instant-insights Check out the “On My Way To Work” video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4E39sM-pNaGhLoG0dkM947o Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Sep 24, 2024 • 20min
Ep. 323: “Create a Magic Moment” – Innovative Guest Services and Facility Management Strategies with Bianca Angelico of On Verve
Bianca Angelico is Director and “Chief DayMaker” at On Verve, an innovative guest services company, where she is passionate about leading her team and creating thriving workplaces. Mike Petrusky asks Bianca about her background in the facility management industry, current philosophy when caring for people in the workplace, and why one size does not fit all when it comes to end-user experiences. They explore how communication is essential in creating a great guest experience and discuss the power of technology for enhancing the employee experience. Mike and Bianca agree that effective change management requires understanding human behavior and creating strategies that suit different personas and they offer ideas for creating fun moments in the workplace and encourage you to be a workplace innovator in your organization! Connect with Bianca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancaangelico/ Learn more about On Verve: https://www.on-verve.co.uk/ Check out the “On My Way To Work” video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4E39sM-pNaGhLoG0dkM947o Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Sep 17, 2024 • 21min
Ep. 322: “The New World of Work” – Mindfulness and Bringing Humanity to the Workplace with Sean Tolram of HSBC and My Trained Mind
Sean Tolram is Mindfulness Programme Manager at HSBC and Founder of My Trained Mind where he is passionate about helping professionals build happy, healthy, and successful careers. Mike Petrusky asks Sean about his journey into mindfulness and why he believes that the modern workplace needs to focus on humanity if we hope to create thriving organizations in the future. Sean shares how stress in the workplace can lead to errors and decreased productivity and offers practical examples of how mindfulness can help workplace leaders build stress resilience in their teams. Mike and Sean discuss change management strategies and explore how change can be seen as a threat by the human brain, causing stress. They agree that in the new world of work, leaders must focus on employees as humans, and they offer the insights and inspiration needed to help you be a workplace innovator! Connect with Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seantolram/ Learn more about My Trained Mind: https://mytrainedmind.com/ Check out the “On My Way To Work” video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4E39sM-pNaGhLoG0dkM947o Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Sep 10, 2024 • 20min
Ep. 321: “A Different Way of Working” – Launching the World’s First Neighborhood Work Club with Kayla Gottschalk, SFP, FMG of Switchyards
Kayla Gottschalk, SFP, FMG is Launch Lead at Switchyards, the world’s first neighborhood work club, where she is a passionate advocator within the built environment who believes the physical space truly enhances the experience. Mike Petrusky asks Kayla about her FM and workplace career journey as a young professional who entered the field on a mission to lead space transformations, improve business operations, and create globally inspiring spaces. They discuss the power of community connections through IFMA and the opportunity for industry leaders to think creatively and deliver the workplace experiences people desire today. Join the conversation as Mike and Kayla explore the many ways we can all be improving our work and places as they drive around Atlanta together and help inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Kayla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-gottschalk-sfp-fmg-51a80624/ Learn more about Switchyards: https://switchyards.com/ Watch the full video of this episode: https://youtu.be/5tnAuZktPqM?si=Yu_JpRe4OZBOivXe Check out more of the “On My Way To Work” video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4E39sM-pNaGhLoG0dkM947o Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Sep 3, 2024 • 27min
Ep. 320: “Radical Change in FM” – IFMA’s World Workplace 2024 Preview with Lena Thompson, Kay Sargent, Mayra Portalatin, and Geoff Snavely
Lena Thompson, IFMA Fellow, FMP, SFP serves on the IFMA Global Board of Directors, Kay Sargent, FASID, FIIDA, CID, LEED® AP, MCR/w, WELL AP is Senior Principal & Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors at HOK, Mayra Portalatin, SFP, LEED AP is Vice President of Facilities Services at NVE, Inc., and Geoff Snavely, LEED AP is Vice President & General Manager at milliCare by EBC Carpet Services. Mike Petrusky hosts a roundtable discussion with these industry-leaders as they prepare to present a session called “Radical Change in FM: Lean In or Be Left Behind” at IFMA’s World Workplace 2024 in San Antonio, TX on October 11 at 10:30am CDT. Change has always been the one constant, but now we’re in a period of radical change for FM, real estate, and the workplace. This panel will look at the new frontier of the built environment from many perspectives – FM practitioners, workplace consultants, and industry partners — and why we must all be leaders who are not afraid to upskill, leverage tech, and “be comfortable being uncomfortable”. As we navigate through an uncertain future, remember to enjoy the ride and be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Lena Thompson, FMP, SFP on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-thompson-5b05a86/ Connect with Kay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-sargent-53b2431/ Connect with Mayra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayraportalatin/ Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffsnavelymillicare/ Register for IFMA’s World Workplace: https://i.snoball.it/p/jeVL/l/3 Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Aug 27, 2024 • 21min
Ep. 319: “It’s About Being Open” – Transformation and Design in Our Evolving Work System with Swapna Sathyan of CannonDesign
Swapna Sathyan is Board Chair at CannonDesign, Principal and Director at Blue Cottage of CannonDesign where she is passionate about helping clients envision the future and transform their organizations to achieve that vision. Mike Petrusky ask Swapna about her perspectives on the work of work today and how embracing change and viewing the workplace as an evolving work system is essential for leaders. They explore the role of technology in shaping the future of work as caring for the people in our organizations will involve more complexity due to evolving science, health, education, and organizational objectives. Swapna believes that real estate is no longer just about providing a physical space, but also about engagement, sustainability, and employee wellness. She offers practical advice and insights to help you design for inclusivity and deliver personalized experiences as you seek to become a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Swapna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swapnasathyan/ Learn more about CannonDesign: https://www.cannondesign.com/about/living-centered-design Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Aug 20, 2024 • 23min
Ep. 318: “Support the Workplace” – Design and Communication Strategies for the Future of Work with Esme Banks Marr of BVN Architecture
Esme Banks Marr is Strategy Director at BVN Architecture in London where she is passionate about interpreting and translating data into shareable and actionable insights, internal and external communications to support change and applied research. Mike Petrusky asks Esme about her career journey in the world of FM and the built environment, and they explore how communication is essential in the future of work and the workplace. Esme believes that the pandemic has elevated the importance of the role of the workplace and leaders must approach design strategies in new and innovative ways. Communication is crucial for driving workplace change and improvements and using pulse surveys and sentiment analysis tools may offer the insights needed for future decision-making. Mike and Esme also discuss generative AI as a potential tool to support the workplace, and they offer the inspiration you will need to continue upskilling as you seek to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Esme on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmebanksmarr/ Learn more about BVN: https://www.bvn.com.au/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Aug 13, 2024 • 24min
Ep. 317: “Let’s Do It Together” – Workplace Experience and Facility Management Leadership with Lauren Puff
Lauren Puff, Global Workplace Experience Leader at Peloton, shares her journey through facility management and operational excellence. She highlights the vital role of leadership in fostering collaboration and meaningful connections in the workplace. Together with Mike, they discuss how physical spaces and technology can enhance employee engagement. Lauren emphasizes change management as a crucial skill for leaders, alongside building trust and effective communication to create productive teams. Tune in for practical insights to inspire innovation in your organization!

Aug 6, 2024 • 22min
Ep. 316: “Small Changes Can Add Up To Something Big” – Culture, Change Management and the Employee Experience with Nick Lynn, PhD of WTW
Nick Lynn, PhD is Senior Director of Employee Experience and Engagement at WTW, a global professional services firm, where he is passionate about using EX insights to solve business problems, such as simplifying the way people work and encouraging collaboration and innovation. Mike Petrusky asks Nick about the current world of the workplace and how leaders can build a culture of trust and higher engagement. They explore the importance of employee well-being and fostering a sense of community in a holistic way that includes physical, mental, financial, and social aspects. The most effective leaders are those who continue to learn and adapt and facility management professionals have a key role to play in the change process. Nick believes that successful transformations involve creating an environment where new habits can form and trust is the glue that holds everything together. Listen to hear some practical tips and find the inspiration you need to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklynn/ Subscribe to Nick’s Substack: https://nicklynnphd.substack.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Jul 30, 2024 • 22min
Ep. 315: “We Have Enough Data” – Smart Buildings and the Science of Improving our Workspaces with Dr. Elizabeth C. Nelson of Smart Building Collective
Dr. Elizabeth C. Nelson is Co-Founder and Head of Innovation & Content at Smart Building Collective and author of “The Healthy Office Revolution” with a PhD in biomedical engineering that focuses on our complex relationship with technology and a better way of living and working. Mike Petrusky asks Elizabeth about her research into how leaders can create better workspaces that support both the mental health and productivity of the workforce. They explore the role of technology in the built environment with a focus on optimizing space usage and how to improve workplaces with the help of worktech tools. Elizabeth believes that designing spaces for the most sensitive among us, such as introverts and neurodivergent individuals, can create a healthier and more beneficial environment for everyone. The Smart Building Collective provides certification and consultancy for buildings and technical solutions, helping to improve and optimize workspaces, and Elizabeth applies her daring yet applicable research to help you be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonelizabeth/ Learn more about Smart Building Collective: https://smartbuildingcollective.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/