WorkScape Circle 2025 Reflections

On August 28th, we gathered with an exceptional group of Digital Workplace Leaders at Villa Foresta for WorkScape Circle 2025 - an intimate, invitation-only forum designed to move the conversation from ideas to impact. Throughout the day, we explored how to unlock the promise of AI and agents, elevate digital workplace excellence, and protect human wellbeing in an AI-powered world. The setting was ideal for focused dialog: breakfast on the terrace overlooking Stockholm’s skyline, thought‑provoking sessions, and time to connect deeply with peers. Even though everything that is shared at WorkScape Circle is exclusive to the attendees who attend in person, we wanted to share a high-level overview for those of you who were not able to attend. 

Working smarter in the new era

After breakfast, we kicked off the day with Gustav Molnar - speaker, coach, and author of ”Work Smarter” - who focused on sustainable performance. His message landed with many: in a world of abundant tools and constant change, the real advantage is energy management, work‑life orchestration, and high‑performing collaboration. The takeaway was refreshingly practical and summed up in one word, “workestry”. Orchestrate your work - make space for deep work, align collaboration norms to the type of work at hand, and always have a clear, meaningful goal to aim for. AI is accelerating, but as humans we need to invest in ourselves first, to optimize performance. After the session (which included Gustav stepping out of his comfort zone and performing a song he had composed, all attendees were given a copy of his book, newly released in English.

Unlocking the full potential of AI and agents

With lifted spirits and a lot of energy, we shifted gear and focused on how to unlock the potential of AI agents. First, Péter Kuna, Chief of Staff, Microsoft Europe North, shared Microsoft’s perspective on the “Frontier Firm”, how a new type of business is evolving that is being built from the ground up with AI. He shared stories of how Microsoft is successfully leveraging AI agents for sales training and other areas of upskilling. His message centered on leaders needing to have an AI‑driven mindset anchored in human values: clarity of purpose, transparency, and how to craft policies that enable innovation without compromising security or integrity. It is essential that people feel equipped, not replaced by AI.

Following Peter’s more “people-centric” perspective, the next round-table discussion, “From Copilot to Colleague - How AI Agents are changing the way we work”, led by Johan Sanneblad, CEO & Co-Founder,  TokenTek, dove deeper into the underlying technologies. Johan warned attendees to just see AI agents as “yet another chatbot.” The underlying technology is now so advanced that enormous efficiency gains are realized when we move entire processes - not just isolated tasks - to agentic-powered business flows. If you haven't already gotten started with AI agents, it's time to start now! 

Measuring impact of Digital Workplace initiatives

After a joint lunch with continued conversations, we shifted focus again and welcomed Johan Ulvenholm, Senior Operations Developer at Folksam, to share insights from their multi-year Digital Employee Experience (DEX) journey. A story that impressed (and overwhelmed) many of the attendees. Johan shared how they had implemented DEX scoring metrics and monthly employee surveys to collect feedback from users. An invaluable source of data for continuous improvements.

From data and analysis to one of the day’s most appreciated sessions, a real‑life story from Sandvik’s Digital Workplace team - Hannele Takala and Janine Fischer (presented by Hannele). In a story-based format, she shared their journey through The Spark → The Dip → The Climb → The Pay‑off.

• The Spark: Microsoft 365 Copilot was introduced
• The Dip: a temporary pause in Copilot licensing late 2024 forced a hard look at oversharing, access reviews, retention, and labeling - a critical cleanup that many organizations overlook or postpone.
• The Climb: the team doubled down on AI literacy and Copilot skills, launched a Microsoft‑funded Copilot Kick‑start program delivered by Storyals, and built momentum through live and on‑demand Microsoft 365 Copilot trainings.
• The Pay‑off: a stronger data foundation, better guardrails, and a pull effect - “rock concert” demand for learning, with seats snapped up in minutes.
  

Nurturing wellbeing in an AI‑powered world

Energized after a team-building activity in the majestic outdoor art museum,  Millesgården, we gathered for a Q&A session with Freddy Bang, CTO of  Zensai. Freddy shared his journey leading Zensai’s transformation from a traditional LMS (Learning Management System) provider to a pioneer in “Human Success” - integrating learning, performance, and engagement into a unified platform built on Microsoft 365. Freddy introduced the “Human Success Score,”  which directly connects learning and individual performance to business outcomes. This was a new concept to many of the attendees, and something we will likely hear more about in the future.

The final session was delivered by Linda Jarnhamn , Founder of flow²thrive and a specialist in neuroscience. Instead of focusing on productivity gains realized by AI, she made us think about what truly matters for human productivity, namely - air quality (CO₂), interruption overload, and recovery patterns. She also shared experiences of how neuro‑technology and eye-tracking devices provide new insights into our actual performance. The discussion quickly turned practical: what would we change if we had this data? Where are the ethical boundaries when it comes to tracking user data? And how do we ensure any new measurement enhances, not erodes, human dignity?

Gratitude - and what’s next?

A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed insights and energy this year - and to everyone who leaned into dialog with openness and courage. WorkScape Circle remains a private, in-person forum by design, organized in partnership to foster genuine exchange among peers. If you’re shaping the future of your digital workplace and would like to join us, register your interest for the next edition of WorkScape Circle in 2026.