Ice Cream on a Hot Summer Day

It’s not difficult to sell ice cream on a hot summer day.  People want it because it tastes good, it’s full of sugar,  it’s cold, etc.  It has intrinsic appeal.   
 
Office space is not ice cream.  The consumer does not universally crave the product.  It’s mostly a necessary adjunct to the work we do.  When given the choice between ice cream or no ice cream, many will readily choose the former.  However, when given the choice between office and no office, many will choose no office (or, at least, less office).
 
Landlords have a product problem.  They must think carefully about how to make their product more like ice cream.  The consumer has to want it.  They can no longer rely on the product being consumed simply because it is forced upon employees.  This new era, call it the “ice-creamization” of the office, will be the catalyst for significant change that will render the historical construct of the office unrecognizable.  It’s a dynamic and exciting time; one that will ultimately lead to better solutions for all.