With increased pressure to balance operational efficiencies with spaces and experiences that support employees, businesses spanning the technology sector are facing new challenges – and opportunities. While some tech companies previously focused on scaling, innovative workplace design and human experience, companies from all subsegments of the tech industry are now striving to reduce costs while attracting and retaining top talent, achieving ESG goals, and ensuring safe and productive facilities.

What hasn’t changed is that leaders in tech want to know what their peers – or competitors – are doing. To gain insight on trends, best practices and AI’s impact on commercial real estate, leaders from across the industry gathered at JLL’s first Technology Executive Forum. The event featured networking, a futurist keynote speaker, panels of industry trailblazers and a fireside chat with JLL C-suite leaders.

To start the conversation among industry leaders, Justin Kenyon, Managing Director for the Technology Division, JLL Work Dynamics, led a dialogue with Mike Huaco, Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Workplace at Synopsys, and Melissa Myers, Head of Global Workplace and Safety at Okta, about how technology sector companies are adapting their spaces to meet growth and headcount goals.

Their discussion revealed that through increased focus on data analytics, leaders in technology industry real estate are gaining critical insights on how people are using workspaces and concentrating on talent acquisition and site locations.

“What we're trying to do is look at what's important to the organization—and that is talent,” Huaco said. “Where are we going to hire? Really focusing on hiring the right talent in the right location.”

Myers agreed, affirming people, productivity and place are all fundamental to operational success, so CRE leaders are shifting “to focus on our whole business. Now we're understanding that workplace plays a critical role.”

C-suite leaders confirmed top-performing tech companies are adapting to evolving workplace dynamics to thrive through economic uncertainty and drive operational success. Neil Murray, Global CEO of Work Dynamics at JLL, Cynthia Kantor, Chief Client and Growth Officer at JLL, and J. Corey Lewis, Senior Director of Workplace Services at Google Americas, provided insight on the needs and trends shared by JLL’s Global Client Advisory Board.

The resounding feedback from CRE leaders in tech: embracing DEI and organizational culture is vital for future growth. As the industry progresses, diversity is key within the workforce and in the way the organization approaches processes and problem-solving.