Corporate Agility and Evolving Workplace Needs | OfficeSpace

Unisource Solutions President Rick Bartlett discusses how evolving corporate needs have impacted his company’s business model.

For a company that has helped many organizations with their workplace strategy execution, some of the biggest strategic changes they made were internal.

Rick Bartlett, President of Unisource Solutions, has been with the company for over 20 years and played a key role in transforming their corporate strategy. He describes a pivotal moment when the company innovated internally to better cater to changing client needs. This adaptability has opened new opportunities to work with organizations seeking to revitalize their workplaces.

Changes in Client Demand

Unisource Solutions has led office relocation projects since 1987. Bartlett explains:

Our company built its business on executing projects well. We provided bundled service programs—asset management, warehousing, reconfiguration, technical and labor resources, and product sourcing. We were always executing someone else’s plan. A designer or customer would bring us a floor plan, and we’d specify and install the furniture as requested.

Today, it’s different. We’re not just executing someone else’s plan; we’re helping create the plan. Companies are designing spaces differently and asking for our input. A few years ago, we nearly lost a major client because they needed a change agent, not just an execution engine. We adapted by bringing in new resources to meet their challenges, which led us to redefine our organization and the people we needed for a next-generation approach to office design and project execution.

The company shifted from a production mindset to a creative one, while still maintaining strong execution capabilities. Now, they help plan projects and define their purpose from the outset.

The Office Relocation Process

Bartlett describes the evolution of the office relocation process:

Previously, the process was about efficiency—fitting as many cubicles as possible into a building. For years, companies prioritized the building as their main asset, focusing on efficient use of space and often ignoring occupant needs. Eventually, organizations realized the occupants were more valuable than the building. Now, planning is people-centric, aiming to optimize space for a more engaging occupant experience.

Trends in Corporate Furniture

Bartlett notes current trends:

Organizations are accommodating individuals in as many ways as possible. Individual space has shrunk, but it should be highly functional and adaptable. There’s a shift to more agile environments—activity-based working and free-address setups focus on individual needs. When individuals can make the most of their time in the space, the building performs better overall.

Agile Work Environments: Hot Desking and Desk Booking

Bartlett shares a case study:

We worked with a large biotech company in Southern California that transitioned to a completely agile, free-address campus for about 6,000 people. Initially, the goal was to reduce their real estate footprint, but it evolved into creating a physical social network. By encouraging collaboration and breaking down silos, they built organizational trust and fostered innovation.

Impact on Unisource Solutions’ Business Model

Bartlett explains:

We used to plan and install rows of 8x8 cubicles. Now, the individual workstation is often just a height-adjustable desk, and the rest of the office is filled with collaborative settings—conference rooms, meeting hubs, lounge areas, and amenity spaces. These elements define the character of a space and allow companies to express their brand and culture.

As customers seek products that reflect their brand and values, we’ve started designing and manufacturing bespoke furniture through our Platform division. This allows us to meet specific requirements and help clients manifest their brand and culture in meaningful ways.

Discussion Prompt

How do you think new ways of working have impacted office relocations and corporate furniture? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.