OCCUPANCY PLANNING

FUNDAMENTALS

wORKPLACE APPROACH

Nike’s workplace approach is based on an ecosystem of shared resources, maximizing utilization and effectiveness. This is an integrated offering of locations, space types, services, and digital tools designed for the unique ways employees work at Nike.

isometric drawing of Nike workplace

What it is

Nike’s workplace approach is based on the concept of Activity Based Work (ABW) and has been evolving since it was first launched in 2015. It was developed and has evolved through extensive internal and external research, using data and insights to shape each component. The portfolio is currently a mix of this approach and Legacy 1:1 environments (which have limited services, technology, and space types).


This approach is a holistic way of working that maximizes employee connections and the effectiveness of the workplace. It’s flexible and agile to adapt to the evolution of business needs. It’s the key to optimizing resources and unlocking enterprise value.


This approach:

  • Empowers each employee to choose where to do their work best, based on their individual needs, the needs of their role, and the needs of their team.
  • Provides the right balance and access to a variety of space types and elements in the physical environment.
  • Provides the right hardware and digital tools for the work activities of each team.
  • Requires a commitment to the shared ecosystem behaviors by the individual, team, and leadership.
  • Requires ongoing operational support.
  • Can have a mixture of unassigned and assigned workspaces. Although the majority of this approach has unassigned workstations, some employees or teams will have assigned seating to support their work activities and job functions most effectively.
  • Applies to all of Nike’s teams. It may look different across locations, but the same foundational components apply universally. Solutions are tailored to support Nike’s diverse work activities and functions. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s also not a bespoke product directed by local leader preferences.
  • Increases equity by providing a variety of settings to work in, with equal access regardless of job role or rank. This can be particularly helpful for people who are neurodiverse and may work better with specific noise, privacy, or lighting conditions.
  • Recognizes that Nike’s workplaces are only one component of how and where employees work. The full ecosystem also includes work-from-home and other locations.

Value Proposition

Research shows that Nike’s workplace strategy delivers benefits at the team and individual levels. It increases operational excellence, which benefits the enterprise.

  • Team

    Increased Effectiveness: This approach addresses the needs of the whole ecosystem to reflect the variety of locations, spaces, tools, and services that teams require to do their best work. Nike employees in buildings with a shared ecosystem report higher scores for “access to the right spaces when needed”, which industry studies show contributes to an individual’s sense of productivity.


    Deeper Connections: This approach enables closer physical proximity to bring employees together and promote cross-functional exposure. It amplifies the level of interconnectedness between employees and removes rank-based barriers to foster deep connections.




  • Individual

    Increased Agency: Flexibility is a key trait to thrive at Nike, and employees say it’s the top driver for a positive work environment. This approach allows employees to choose what they need and when they need it, resulting in more positive work experiences.


    Greater Well-being: This approach promotes healthy habits of moving throughout the day and fosters greater agency to participate in well-being benefits that leave employees feeling increasingly motivated.


    Higher Engagement: Culture is everything to Nike. The vibrancy and density of a shared ecosystem make it easier for Nike employees to stay connected to the brand, their work, and each other, enabling a more purposeful engagement.

  • Operational Excellence

    A Right-Sized Portfolio: Nike has an expansive global portfolio, with associated annual operating costs. This approach maximizes value and optimizes spending. It prioritizes space that is the most beneficial, aligning with business needs and utilization.


    Operational agility: Nike is constantly evolving. The unassigned seating component of this approach makes the workplace more agile, enabling the workplace to respond to organizational shifts rapidly, with less associated costs.

Components

By integrating physical space, technology, behaviors, and operational enablers, the ultimate value of Nike’s workplace approach is unlocked. Below are the core components, not all are within GPS' scope. Where applicable, GPS standards and planning ratios incorporate these components.

  • Physical Space
    • Spaces for teams to collaborate and ideate
    • Spaces for learning (meetings, events, training, engagement)
    • Spaces for individuals to work with minimal distraction and noise
    • Spaces for individuals to work near others, as an alternative to a typical workstation
    • Spaces that foster culture building and well-being (exercise, play, eat, drink)
    • Spaces for private well-being (prayer, health, meditation, mother’s room)
    • Ergonomic workstations that can be easily adjusted
    • Physical wayfinding signs and maps
    • Individual storage areas that are separate from the workstation (lockers, cubbies, cabinets)
    • Day-use lockers for guests and employees moving between buildings
    • Team storage areas (closets, rooms)

  • Technology
    • Enhanced digital tools for collaboration
    • WiFi with adequate bandwidth and coverage throughout the workspace
    • WiFi at outdoor work/gathering areas
    • Employees locations can be identified for in-person collaboration (e.g. slack status or chat)
    • Workstations and focus-work spaces equipped with individual screens suitable for the work activities of the team
    • Reservation platform to book spaces and tools and see real-time availability for nearby buildings
    • Badge access for employees to all relevant buildings and spaces
    • Visitor management platform to streamline guest registration and access
    • Digital wayfinding maps available through mobile devices
    • Location-specific workplace information and resources available on a web-based platform
    • Music in key locations like gathering places and restrooms
    • Digital displays to share Nike messages and announcements and content management platform to manage enterprise content

  • Behaviors
    • Employees can choose their preferred work location and setup without fear of repercussions
    • Employees feel that they can adjust their spaces to enable the most effective way to accomplish their work activities
    • Employees have clarity on their team’s primary allocation and the options where they are able to work (e.g. a specific part of a floor, entire building, campus)
    • Employees are provided explicit expectations for in-person vs remote work
    • Teams establish meeting expectations for format (in-person, hybrid, or virtual) and location to maximize effectiveness and predictability
    • Employees feel a connection to the Nike brand, purpose, and culture
    • Employees feel comfort and familiarity throughout all Nike spaces
    • Employees feel a reflection of their team identity through physical cues and cultural norms
    • Continuing education and updated guidance on best practices is provided
    • The enterprise and employees commit to continuous learning and adoption for the behaviors of a shared ecosytem

  • Operational Enablers
    • The Technology team provides multi-channel support (e.g. in person, chat, etc.) to troubleshoot tools, infrastructure, systems and hardware
    • On-site support services to streamline employee experiences and successfully utilize the shared ecosystem
    • Regular checks and maintenance of tech and other components to ensure they are functional; issues promptly resolved
    • Onboarding information provides clarity on the benefits and expectations of a shared ecosystem when teams shift from a Legacy 1:1 environment and when a new employees join
    • Insights gathered to optimize processes and communication to maximize utilization and benefits