Ayala Land’s recipe for happiness at the work place

MANILA, Philippines - It takes a lot more to be productive in this age of distraction. Even within the confines of four walls we are linked to the world outside and all its trappings thanks to our electronic devices; and when we are outside, there is a whole lot to distract us from any inspiration that might already be before our eyes. Gone is the era when a clean, well-lit place is enough for an employee to produce — these days, we need more.

Ayala Land, apart from being attuned with the needs of consumers on the residential and retail front, has been catering to the needs of top multinationals and local conglomerates in providing office real estate solutions for years now. Thru their office development and leasing arm, Ayala Land Offices, that builds specifically for businesses, the company has quite the track record of designing not only some of the most sought after office buildings, but also some of the most work-life-balance-oriented ones.

Their maiden project, the Makati Stock Exchange located in the Makati CBD, for instance, maintains its sheen that’s attributed to an Ayala Land property. For a structure that was built decades ago, it still remains relevant and demand for space continues to be strong. This results from the thoughtful planning that went into the design and careful maintenance and management of the facilities and premises.

Ayala Land Offices leads in developing office spaces that uplift the working experience through innovation. The company designs for all types of clients, from multinational companies to the next-gen workforce in BPO firms, and carefully tailors the space toward maximizing employee productivity and satisfaction.

What’s happiness got to do with it?

Several factors contribute to work productivity — your relationship with your boss and peers, compensation, emotional well-being at the office, and the work environment, among them. The latter, more than being about having the latest technology or the sleekest designer furniture around, is hinged on being able to provide work-life balance within the building. This is especially important in offices with long working hours and high stress environments like BPOs.

“You spend majority of your day at the office. For instance, an average person spends about 9-10 hours of his waking time working,” shares Junie Jalandoni, ALI senior vice president and group head of Ayala Land Offices. “Our goal is to help create a conducive working environment that allow employees to be more productive.”

Tower One & Exchange Plaza is an example of this vision of an ideal work space. Located in the heart of the Makati CBD, considered the premier financial capital of the country, it is home to the Philippine Stock Exchange and has the same cosmopolitan vibe of regional headquarters of top multinationals. It is nestled within the 7-hectare Ayala Triangle where employees can enjoy the Ayala Triangle Gardens and dining options among its many restaurants during their breaks and free time.

“The facility should reflect the quality of the company that occupies it. Employees should be proud of where they work,” shares Carol Mills, ALI assistant vice president and head of office business. “It should also be in a location that is convenient for our customers as well as their clients.”

Companies that periodically measure productivity have reported that tenants of Ayala Land Offices are among the happiest. “We talk to everyone from their staff to the CEO and they always report almost 100-percent satisfaction in the work environment. They rank high in employee retention and seat productivity,” Francis Roxas, ALI senior division manager for office leasing adds. “In BPO companies they experience high employee turn-over so keeping them happy is key.”

The U.P.-AyalaLand TechnoHub, situated within the UP complex, is another example. The campus-type development is built especially for information technology and information technology-enabled companies and startups with younger employees. It is the first S&T Park in the country that has become a venue for industry-academe collaboration.  It is envisioned to be a vehicle for start-up IT companies to flourish and eventually become major players in the industry.  

The facilities are planned with the employees’ needs and lifestyles in mind. Dining establishments are within reach, many of which have also adjusted operating hours to service the employees of BPO firms. Basic services such as banks, ATMs and convenience stores are also present within the developments. In campus-type developments, there are ample open spaces and greeneries that provide a break from the four walls of their cubicles.

The sustainability promise

Ayala Land, known for its sustainable practices, carries the stamp of environmental consciousness with every office building. The U.P.-AyalaLand TechnoHub, for instance, is equipped with a technology called district cooling system that allows buildings within to share the air-conditioning thus saving energy. It also has a gray water facility which means used water is recycled and reused for greenery.

“Ayala Land makes a conscious effort to be sustainable because we understand that building in an area impacts the surrounding environment. For the TechnoHub, we made sure to build around the existing trees in the property,” says Marc Reyes, ALI division manager for office project development. “We follow the least disruptive means of development and integrate into the existing environment as much as possible.”

The architecture of the Baguio-AyalaLand TechnoHub, for example, was planned to seamlessly integrate the quaint and country feel of one of Baguio’s historical landmarks, Camp John Hay. One Evotech in NUVALI, which was awarded LEED Silver, is also integrated into the outdoorsy environment of the location. The building itself has bike ramps inside, to encourage a more active and sustainable lifestyle among its tenants.

Satisfaction guaranteed

Every Ayala Land office building encourages productivity and recreation. They provide access to transportation, hotels for visiting executives, residential areas, and a quality labor pool. The company looks at offices as ecosystems that require certain amenities in order to thrive independently as they should. It also considers its tenants as an Ayala Land consumer.

“Our projects are always located within mixed-use communities where you have residential, retail, office, hotels and other components,” says Jalandoni. “When we look at an office employee, we also see him as a retail customer and, a residential customer.” This approach allows Ayala Land to deliver their needs, and in turn, enable them to be at their most productive, whether as an employee of a multinational firm, a shopper on the hunt for retail thrills, or a resident craving for some peace and quiet at the end of a busy day.