In today’s dynamic workplace, investing in the right technology is not optional—it’s essential for maintaining agility, improving employee experience, and supporting long-term business goals. Yet even the most compelling workplace technology can stall without executive sponsorship. The challenge isn’t identifying smart solutions—it’s securing C-suite buy-in.
This article outlines how to present a strong case for new workplace technologies—specifically smart sensors—by aligning with executive priorities, quantifying return on investment, and showcasing cross-departmental value.
What are senior executives looking for?
Typically, the most critical consideration is return on investment. Every organization has a particular method of determining ROI.
In calculating an ROI for smart sensor technology, the investment cost includes purchasing, installing, and maintaining sensors. In contrast, the potential gains include reduced space expenses and savings on HVAC and other costs, like cleaning. AVUITY’s ROI calculators and ROI case studies are a helpful starting place, but they don’t tell the whole story.
Financial formulas are frequently augmented by operational metrics like energy consumption or targeted strategic values such as employee engagement and customer satisfaction. Even a positive return on the funds invested may not be sufficient to gain approval without other factors supporting the change.
Using smart sensors as an example, potential improvements in employee engagement and reduced energy consumption (measured in financial costs and sustainability gains) add to the attractive financial projections.
Ancillary benefits like competitive advantage, improved customer experience, elevated company reputation, and risk mitigation also have the potential to influence senior executive consideration.
Financial benefits of smart sensors
The financial case for smart sensors includes several opportunities. For many clients, much of the savings result from reducing space under management, owned, or occupied. As companies work toward a new space usage paradigm, many examine how to utilize their space best.
One effective way of getting accurate data on space utilization is through sensor data. Sensors measure how many people use an area, for how long, for what purpose, and when. This analysis can help a company determine how many square feet it needs and how best to distribute them. For example, your organization might have an excess of workstation areas but a shortfall of conference rooms. On an even more granular basis, you might have the correct number of meeting rooms but the wrong sizes. If small groups often use several large meeting rooms, you can repurpose the space by converting to smaller rooms that meet your needs more effectively.
Portfolio rightsizing offers potential financial savings and other benefits, including employee satisfaction. But you don’t have to reduce your office space footprint to save money with sensor data. Sensors provide precise data about utilization, including number of people, ambient temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Real-time data allows HVAC settings to dynamically adapt to space needs throughout the day, maintaining comfort while reducing costs.
Money is not the sole consideration
While a good prospective ROI is essential, it’s not the only metric to consider. It’s also vital that stakeholders across the organization agree on the approach presented to the leadership team. As mentioned, sensor data can help drive decisions about how much space your organization needs and how to allocate that space best.
For example, if your present facility has individual workspaces for 500 people, but your sensor data indicates that the average daily occupancy is 350, that highlights an opportunity to reconfigure your space. Suppose the data also shows that existing collaboration spaces are routinely oversubscribed. Transforming individual workspaces into more collaboration areas can increase usage and contribute to employee engagement and productivity.
Cross-departmental considerations
When you bring a proposal for smart sensors or any proptech solution to your executive team, having broad consensus from across the organization is helpful. Ensure that representatives of groups like technology, operations, finance, and human resources understand the plan and how it can help each area enhance its operations and success.
For example, human resources can anticipate greater employee satisfaction with potentially improved compliance with RTO or similar mandates. This outcome stems from space that better meets the employees’ need for specific layouts, more comfortable environments, and more straightforward navigation (if the VuBook technology is adopted). Insights on air quality, room temperature, and noise levels also support HR efforts to promote employee well-being initiatives.
Facilities managers can clearly see the potential benefits. Sensor data tracks occupancy and usage, helping them maintain, control, and allocate space properly. Sensors also monitor equipment performance, triggering alerts before malfunctions, which can reduce downtime and repair costs. Dynamic adjustment of HVAC settings according to tracked usage supports cost-effective and sustainability-friendly energy savings.
Naturally, your finance team appreciates the reduced energy usage and maintenance cost. Sensor data also supports better forecasting of capital investments and operational expenses, empowering your finance department to plan effectively for expenses.
Don’t overlook the impact of environmental considerations. Reducing energy usage not only saves money, it reduces costs and may enhance your building’s value. LEED-certified buildings have higher sale values and can often support higher rent prices than other buildings without the environmental advantages.
Back it up the benefits with actual data
When pitching the leadership on smart sensors or another technology investment, lead with solid benefits. Highlight how the technology supports your organizational priorities, like cost control, operational efficiency, employee satisfaction, and sustainability.
Demonstrate quantifiable savings from reduced space needs, energy efficiency, and enhanced productivity. Present an ROI calculation with both annual savings and a projected payback period.
Ensure you include support from other departments and address potential challenges and risks. Remember to include a connection to company priorities and values. If you encounter hesitancy from the top, consider proposing a pilot program in one building or even part of one, allowing you to gather actual data to support your projections.
Conclusion
Obtaining C-suite support for new workplace technology like smart sensors requires a strategic business case that aligns with executive priorities: cost optimization, operational resilience, employee satisfaction, and long-term flexibility.
Back your proposal with quantifiable data, cross-functional input, and a clear roadmap that includes financial returns, operational improvements, and cultural impact. The goal isn't just to adopt new tools—it's to enable smarter, more responsive workplaces that support the organization’s future vision.
