Before the space is finished
A finished workplace is what people see. They see the desks, the meeting rooms, the reception and the light. What they do not see is everything that had to happen first. Someone had to understand what the client needed. Someone had to put the right team together. Many decisions had to be made, and made on time. The space matters a great deal, but the work behind it matters just as much.
My part in the work
At Outtabox, my role is strategy, commercial development and client relationships. I meet the people who are responsible for a new workplace, listen to what they are trying to achieve and help shape an agreement both sides can stand behind. Designers, engineers and construction teams bring the technical expertise. I do not pretend to do their jobs. My job is to make sure they have what they need and that the client stays close to the decisions.
Trust is built in the details
Enterprise clients are trusting you with their people, their budget and their reputation. That trust grows when you are clear about what you will deliver, honest about what could go wrong and quick to respond when something changes. I have learned that the way you handle a small question early in a project often decides how a client feels at the end of it.
The team is the business
A workplace company is only as good as the people who show up to do the work. Building Outtabox has meant finding people who care about quality and giving them room to do their best. When the team works well together, clients feel it. When it does not, no amount of presentation can hide it.
What I keep coming back to
Projects like Roche’s Abuja workplace, News Central’s Abuja offices and the Miva Open University Robotics & Innovation Laboratory were delivered by a team. I see my contribution as stewardship. I try to look after the relationships, the commitments and the people involved, and to follow through on what we have agreed.