Increasing workplace happiness with a flexible working concept
M-Files is a global software company providing a next-generation intelligent information management platform that improves business performance by helping people find and use information more effectively. With their headquarters located in Tampere, Finland, M-Files is a rapidly growing business with nearly 600 employees working in 10 different offices globally. Last year alone M-Files hired 150 new employees globally, most of them joining the troops working at their headquarters. Due to the rapid growth, M-Files expanded their HQ with a new 900m2 (that’s 9687,52 square feet) floor and did a full renovation for the space during summer 2019; they also introduced a new, flexible working concept to the employees:
“There is a lot of open space, and we wanted to make sure there are places for meetings and calls that really work and look fantastic. Therefore, we chose Framery pods,” says Miika Mäkitalo, COO of M-Files.
“We are a growth company and are constantly in need of new space. We wanted to create a cool and inspiring space for our new floor at our global headquarters. The new floor is mostly flexi space, meaning employees can choose their seat when they are at the office. There is a lot of open space, and we wanted to make sure there are places for meetings and calls that really work and look fantastic. Therefore, we chose Framery pods,” says Miika Mäkitalo, COO of M-Files.
M-Files Office Specialist Tiina Kirkkomäki admits that, like with all change, the new office concept evoked some initial concerns among the employees including questions such as, “how can I manage my work in an open office if I have a lot of phone calls, online meetings, or if I need silence for concentration?” But doing what they are designed to do, Framery pods took these concerns away.
“Framery pods provide peace of mind in our action-based office. We provided different Framery pods for different needs: you can have single person meetings or 2-5 person meetings; you can pop in a Framery pod without making a reservation or you can reserve a pod beforehand. Knowing that you have options for how and where you do your work really adds value to employee work satisfaction,” continues Kirkkomäki. M-Files uses Happy or Not devices to measure their employee work satisfaction and according to Kirkkomäki the results have been indicating more green (= happy) ever since the office renovation and Framery pods moved in.
“For the folks that work at the open area, Framery pods are a must. Without pods, the space would not work,” reckons Mäkitalo.
“For the folks that work at the open area, Framery pods are a must. Without pods, the space would not work. We could say that people on the floor are 20% happier with Framery pods,” reckons Mäkitalo.
Employee’s happiness and well-being at work is expressed throughout M-File’s office redesign. There’s a pool table in the middle of the office, green plants to keep the air fresh and even a cozy Relax-room dedicated for relaxing and power napping. Talk about being serious about happiness!
What always warms our hearts is the naming of Framery pods. At M-Files HQ you can be greeted by Framery 2Q meeting spaces named Naboo & Tatooine and a Framery Q booth named Yoda. It’s safe to say that a lot of Star Wars fans must be working at this office! May the force – and happiness – be with you.
