Workspace design is evolving away from generic 'cookie cutter' offices toward purpose-built experience centers that leverage technology and intentional design. Companies like Align Technologies are leading this shift, creating environments that inspire employees while delivering better service to clients. The movement reflects a broader rethinking of what the workplace should accomplish beyond basic functionality.
As the landscape of workspace design pivots, an innovative approach to creating engaging, interactive spaces is driving companies like Align Technologies to reimagine the “cookie cutter” office concept. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design, businesses are creating experience centers that both inspire employees and provide optimal service for their clientele.
This emphasis on creating not just spaces, but experiences, reflects a trend in the industry moving towards providing unique, tailored environments that stimulate creativity, boost productivity, and, ultimately, ensure retention of top talent. Such a paradigm shift isn’t merely about building infrastructure—it’s about creating an ongoing narrative that evolves with the users of the space, supported by dedicated, skilled professionals. It’s also a testament to the potential of partnerships in driving change, pushing boundaries and encouraging innovative thinking.
As we transition from traditional to future-oriented workspaces, Michael McMayne, VP of Commercial Operations Technologies for Align Technologies sat down for a conversation with Tim Livolsi, about the exciting evolution of workspace design.
Video TranscriptExpand ↓
Hey, everyone, Tom Livalsey with CTS coming at you live from Stark Enterprises with Tony Stark. That's probably what it looks like. In the background, this is actually Align Technologies' East Coast headquarters. I'm joined by Michael McMhn, the mastermind of all of this. Wanted to sit down with Michael and and get his thoughts on the design of the facility, how it's going, you know, are you getting the results from from this facility? And, yeah, without further ado, Michael, good to have you. It's been a it's been a great project coming. It's great to be here with you today to see the doors open all the way and The technology come to life. It's I think as you can see and as you know first hand, it's a it's a beautiful space. CTS, we do this all over the place. This is a different project. Right? For us, this is the holy grail. I mean, this has everything from interactivity, from the second you walk into this experience center all the way to the back. It's very well thought out. There's technology all over the place. In my opinion, the days of building a cookie cutter office space, they're over. If you want to keep and retain top talent. It's gonna take facilities like this. So was that in your mind when you guys started the design process for this. Ultimately, Tom, when we started this project, it was started with the full intent of creating a best in class world class center where doctors can come learn hands on to give brighter and more beautiful smiles to patients across the world You know, another really cool thing that came out of this project and kind of enhanced the relationship between two organizations was your willingness and even desire to have a dedicated full time person on staff to manage this. Because I mean, this is This is a a very high-tech space with a lot of high touch. What was your thoughts and and how beneficial has it been to have that that full time support in the layer of customer service. A project never ends when it ends. It just begins in life. Right? So the completion of the project in phase one is the bill the design and the deployment. The second phase of the project is the deployment and the ongoing operation of the project. Right? And it's easy to think sort of one chapter closes the building is complete. The improvements are made. We move on. We hand it over the fence and someone else takes it over. Right? That's sort of I think yesterday's way of thinking. For us here, we we realized that this is an investment we made. It needs to operate efficiently it needs to operate effectively and it needs to operate predictably. Right? And in order for us to do that and have a little interruption when we're doing it, we need to make sure that we have an efficient operator, an effective operator, and a predictably reliant operator. But really what's powering the center for us is a is a full time person that's from CTS, that's in our building every day working with our team. And I think what we ultimately get out of that is those three things. Right? And we know that if there is a problem, there's a powerful team behind them that can come in and execute any changes or modifications that are required. But I I would I would say to you ultimately, it's trusting your partner -- Yeah. -- and trusting their people. So that that same mentality. Right? That outside the box thinking. Right? At the end of the day as an integrator, that's that's what we're always trying to present. Right? The the old historic days, whether again it'd be from the how you design your facilities, all the way to, you know, procurement options and things. You know, we have subscription option that we're rolling out soon, it it takes clients like yourself to to help drive that change. And hopefully, you know, when other folks hear and see this this space, it'll start to have some trickle down in in the end user community. So again, thankful for everything you guys have done. And thanks for your time today. Sure, Tom. Thank you. Cheers to you.
