Beyond Traditional Office Spaces: A Focus On Hybrid Work And Employee Experience

Prior to the pandemic, employees were only able to work from the office, with very limited hybrid or remote options. However, even as some people continue to work from home or return to the office part-time, businesses have not completely abandoned their physical workplaces. This is because going to the office has always been about more than just work.

In response to these changes, offices have evolved to accommodate hybrid working styles. This has led to the emergence of innovative design trends that prioritize the employee experience. The evolution of office space has been multi-faceted, integrating workplace strategy and design to create purposeful spaces that cater to different work styles.

One company that has embraced this shift in office space is Beyond ONE. With its unrivaled service, Beyond ONE offers a range of opportunities for its employees. From easy meeting room bookings to discounted product purchases, Beyond ONE provides a platform for members to connect with each other and the wider business community.

Beyond ONE focuses on creating workspaces that enhance performance and positivity. Their spaces are designed to be light-filled, with bold color palettes that spark creativity. They also provide relaxing lounge spaces that support team collaboration and quiet contemplation. The goal is to create an environment that enhances human performance and connectivity.

Hani Elkukhun, Chief Executive Officer of Beyond ONE, shared in an interview with OneArabia.me the inception of Beyond ONE and its emphasis on customer-centric experiences. Elkukhun stated that Beyond ONE was founded with the mission to connect people and enrich their lives through a simple, inclusive digital platform. The organization identified a gap in the market for a hyper-convenient, inclusive digital service and decided to build a platform to meet this demand.

In a competitive digital service provider and aggregator market, Beyond ONE differentiates itself by aiming to become a fully integrated digital service platform. They aim to offer a one-stop digital platform for administrative, social, entertainment, and communication needs. However, they also prioritize humanizing their offering and creating personalized experiences for their customers. Beyond ONE aims to cater to customers of all ages, nationalities, and economic backgrounds, simplifying their lives through their services.

As Beyond ONE operates in multiple countries and has various brands under its umbrella, they ensure each brand aligns with their overarching goals while catering to local market needs. They have strategies and structures in place to seamlessly integrate their brands. This includes embedding strong leadership and creating touchpoints that link the brands together. Their shared goals revolve around their customers, employees, the environment, and society.

Managing a diverse and widespread workforce with over 1,600 employees across different regions presents its challenges and successes. Beyond ONE values the diversity of their team and recognizes the value it brings to the organization. They utilize creative organizational design and strategy to break silos and ensure all areas of the business are connected. Cross-functional taskforces are created to solve complex business problems and provide key insights from different perspectives and expertise.

Beyond ONE is currently involved in negotiations for acquiring other companies. They prioritize making a positive impact and look for businesses that align with their mission. While the economics of a deal need to make sense, their focus is on providing an exit opportunity for businesses facing challenges while protecting their brand and employees. Any acquisition is only considered if the business is open to it and if successful integration into the group is ensured.

Among Beyond ONE's current brands are Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa and FRiENDi Mobile. Since acquiring these brands, they have seen accelerated growth, with Virgin Mobile announcing strategic partnerships with stc TV and Riyadh Airports.

Looking towards the future, Beyond ONE's main goals for the next five years include breaking down barriers and artificial lines between life's essential services. They aim to expand their footprint in fast-growing markets and continue evolving their services. While planning five years ahead in the rapidly changing digital landscape is difficult, they remain clear on their mission. They also plan to grow their environmental and social initiatives, such as their commitment to protecting ecosystems in Ecuador through Rainforest Concern.

Companies like Beyond ONE are embracing this change by creating purposeful and innovative workspaces that prioritize the employee experience. Beyond ONE, with its customer-centric approach, aims to simplify the lives of its customers through its inclusive digital platform. With a diverse workforce and plans for expansion and acquisitions, Beyond ONE is focused on making a positive impact and evolving to meet the needs of a rapidly changing digital landscape.