Walking the Flexible Office Talk... Last week I visited the San Francisco office of AT Kearney , the global consulting firm. Three years ago Kearney reduced its square footage in half by subleasing one of two floors at 101 California Street. Simultaneously, they transitioned to a flexible office system managed with AgilQuest software. So does it work? You bet.

As Ellen Hanscom, Kearney's office manager, toured me around the space, one thing became crystal clear. The staff that administers a flexible office program is vital to its success. For example, Alyse Christensen, the receptionist, does most of the scheduling. And as she explained to me, "I know people's favorite offices, where they want to sit, and where they don't want to sit." (Almost every office has two desks in it.)

Hanscom described the move from static to flexible offices as smooth after breaking through a "resistance barrier" around 8-12 months into the process. Now that people are used to it, they actually prefer it. Personal files and gear are stored in one or more filing drawers and a personal locker for electronic gear (roughly 14 x 14 x 13 inches). When you book an office, you carry your files and personal gear into that office.

With a mobile workforce, building a sense of community is very important. So Kearney expects all consultants to spend Fridays in their home office for "integrated projects, training and professional development, and opportunities for social events." This is part of what Kearney calls its "434U" program. Four days at the client and Three days at home For You. And on Friday your home is not the golf course!

--Peter Pike