Chris Moriarty is Co-founder and Director of Audiem, a workplace experience analytics platform that leverages cutting-edge technology to uncover actionable insights from employee feedback. He is also a key speaker at The Office Event, taking place on 7th – 8th May at ExCeL London.
The Office Event is the UK’s definitive workplace experience and design show, bringing together experts and thought leaders to explore the future of workspaces and workplace culture.
In this interview, Chris shares a preview of the insights he’ll bring to his panel, “Leveraging the power of data to bring the ‘people and place’ worlds together,” where he’ll discuss how organisations can use data to create workplace environments that empower employees and enhance business performance. Don’t miss the chance to hear his valuable perspective at this must-attend industry event!
Could you share a bit about your journey into the field of workplace data analytics and what inspired you to co-found Audiem and produce the Workplace Geeks Podcast?
It started in Corporate Communications at professional bodies (CIM and then IWFM). I was responsible for articulating our positions on key things impacting the profession but research and insight were the routes to that.
I’ve always had a passion for storytelling (I blame the Irish genes) so being able to strengthen stories with evidence, and bring numbers to life with words has always appealed to me.
Audiem was the perfect marriage of all of that. I was excited when my (now) co-founders showed me a prototype of what Audiem became. Turning words into data and using that to tell powerful stories is something that holds so much potential.
Workplace Geeks was another way of exploring research in the sector. I’d finished my MBA and found myself exploring academia in a way I hadn’t before and we wanted to bring that to life for the sector in an enjoyable, accessible way. We’ve done about 60 episodes now.
What are some of the biggest challenges companies face when trying to integrate data-driven strategies into their workplace design?
I think it’s three core challenges. Volume, complexity, variety. On one hand, we’re in a privileged position where we have all the data you could want but I think a lot of people have gone chart blind. We find ourselves being overwhelmed with what we’re looking at and wondering what on earth we need to do with all these dots and lines on the chart. What we need is insight, not data.
That’s the exciting opportunity that AI provides. It can do the heavy lifting for us and help us get to the gold. NatWest are the organisation that has pushed our tool the furthest in our short history, they’ve got 23 different data sources all piped into one environment where they can navigate the data, interrogate it, and filter it. Combine that computing power with some skills around storytelling and you’re on to a winner.
How does the platform balance the collection of data with ensuring employees feel their voices are heard and valued?
It certainly democratises the process. In the past, the only way to turn survey responses into rich data was to use some headlines as a talking point in a focus group but let’s face it, the people in the room are often the usual suspects and the loudest voice. The analytics that power our insights aren’t bothered about who you are, your role, or your seniority, your story matters as much as everyone else.
There’s also something in being able to write your experience down rather than trying to infer your story through a series of agreement scale questions. You’ve got space to express yourself, safe in the knowledge that your comment won’t get lost amongst the thousands of comments in there. It matters.
How do you see the role of data evolving in the context of workplace design and employee experience?
We’re certainly seeing a lot of organisations moving towards an ‘always on’ data ecosystem rather than relying on annual surveys to try and find out what’s going on. A number of our clients are opting for short-sharp questionnaires sitting behind QR codes in the workplace, or through feedback buttons on workplace apps etc.
The other thing that we’re seeing is organisations want to bring all the different types of data into one view. We’ve worked with a number of technology solutions to position our employee sentiment data alongside other data points like lease information, energy management, and utilisation.
What trends or innovations in workplace data analytics are you most excited about for the future?
I think that we’re only just scratching the surface with AI. Our next goal is to give our clients the ability to summarise any slice of the data they want instantly so that we can start building a granular understanding of what’s happening in organisations and before long we hope to be able to offer organisations to ask the data questions.
Generally, the one to keep an eye on is agentic AI which is the next step in the technology. I think it’s what most people think about when they talk about AI but this next step will get us closer to buildings self-managing so the profession/industry needs to work out it’s place in the supply chain with that in mind.
What key messages do you hope the audience will take away about the role of analytics in workplace environments?
Data is not the answer, it’s a pathway to the insights which can lead to answers. So collecting it isn’t enough. You have to know why you’re collecting it, what you’re going to do with it, and how you can continue to evolve it. We need to develop our skills in turning data into powerful stories that can give confidence to decision-makers about directions of travel and investment priorities. We can’t be passive in that. Also, test and learn. Don’t wait for a perfect solution. Try something, see what happens, adjust and measure again. It’s time that workplace experience became scientific because we have the tools to do that now.
What are you looking forward to most about speaking at and exhibiting at The Office?
Trying out ideas on people. I’m much more interested in the response of an audience to an idea (positive or negative) than I am in telling them what I think. When an idea is shared we start the process of improving it. These are my takes on what I’m seeing but when we get in a room together and play with these ideas they turn into something much more powerful.
You can meet Chris in person at The Office Event where he’ll be speaking. The Office Event is a unique and timely trade show with free-to-attend content that offers a one-stop-shop for organisations who are rethinking their approach to workplace design, workplace experience and facilities management. Now in its second year, The Office will take place on 7th and 8th May 2025, at ExCel in London. Co-located with The Watercooler Event for the full 360-degree workplace culture and employee wellbeing experience. You can find out more here.
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