After a quiet month of April in terms of assignments, we entered the month of May with several beautiful and surprisingly creative sessions using Teams and our revamped Fresh Forward app. We also took our Service Station in hand and got it ready for the one-and-a-half-meter society. We even now have our own Skylounge Studio for webinars and podcasts.
The first one and a half meter sessions are scheduled in our coronaproof environment. We are up and running again.
Online 'imagining'
When you have been used for over 18 years to enjoy get to work creatively With people together, it is a bit of a puzzle how to implement this remotely. Fortunately, so many creative ideas came up during our internal online sessions that we were able to take them further. We have (quickly) added various functionalities to our FF app, so that we can use it more widely than just as part of our inspiration trips. The app can now facilitate our entire process, from start to finish, online. Combined with Teams, in which we can work both in plenary and in breakout rooms, we have gained new experiences over the past few weeks. As a result, we can now conduct our trajectories not only physically, but also online or in a combination of both.
Getting inspiration online
An important part of our process is getting inspiration from outside; getting away from our own perceptions and industry. Of course, many inspiring examples and videos can be found online, 
but we want to take this a step further. For that reason, on the one hand, we have created the Skylounge Studio in our Service Station, where we can facilitate lectures and webinars, among other things. In addition, we engage with interesting speakers there and can then livestream this with the client we are working with. On the other hand, together with our LUNAR Institute, we are implementing our Global Connectors Network. This is a network of "correspondents" that keeps us informed on a regular basis about new developments in their part of the world. We can also use them in a targeted way to take a virtual inspiration tour around the world with our clients.
Also working on-site again
From one day to the next, the place normally bustling with life was deserted and silent. But we have not been idle here either for the past month and a half. We have done a big cleanup, given the walls a lot of licks of paint and revamped the furnishings and functionalities of various rooms. And now we are ready for the one-and-a-half-meter society.
What did we do?
Following all guidelines and advice, we included:
- Modified the reception, presentation and workshop areas so that there is at least one and a half meters of sitting and walking space between people
- Created a clear routing in the building so you don't bump into each other
- Put up a clear signing that helps remind people of the one and a half meter distance
- Disinfectant sprays placed in all rooms
- Established a schedule for regular cleaning and disinfection of toilets and door handles
- Devised new dishes and modified existing ones so that we can offer our lunches and dinners portioned (still tasty, of course ?).
What do we have to offer now?
We offer the same warm and creative environment with the service we previously pampered our customers with. We now do this on an exclusive basis, with no other guests using the Service Station. Specifically, we have:
- Our Lounge, which can accommodate plenary presentations of up to 18 people
- Our Workshop, Showroom and Skylounge, which can be used as a breakout room or small meeting room for 4-10 people
- Our Skylounge Studio, equipped and usable for recording podcasts, livestreaming presentations or holding webinars
- Our Laundry with the kitchen where our hostesses prepare the most delicious dishes
From now on we welcome you again with open arms (one and a half meters away) at our safe and inspiring location. Be sure to come take a look (by appointment, that is) at our renovated Service Station!
By Matt van der Poel, CXO at Fresh Forward - May 14, 2020
