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Public Relations · Published October 17, 2019

Ronn Torossian
Founder & Chairman, 5W

The Changing Workplace: What It Means for Businesses

5w pr workplace interior with employees working at desks
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The truth about today’s working environments is simple: they’re changing, and businesses need to be aware of these shifts in order to evaluate what changes make sense for their models of operation. What do we mean when we say today’s workplace is changing? Well, take the idea of coworking, for example. Coworking has become a term synonymous with independence and collaboration all at once. All around the country, office buildings have been transformed into ecosystems that foster creativity and independent thinking due to the availability of single desks or offices. These options allow for those who are self-employed, who own small businesses, or who simply want a different type of office to have control over their workplace and to set their own standards for performance. The days of the fluorescent-lit, life-sucking cubicle are coming to a close. And while opinions still vary on the effect that the newest collaborative working environments have on productivity, the fact remains that this is now the face of workplace culture. How do companies stay abreast of this shift? Certainly it isn’t always practical to completely change the look of an office or to vacate a lease simply because the employees would rather take up space in their local WeWork office. So how can a business that’s already well-established in its real estate create an environment more in line with what employees are beginning to ask for? Certainly, it’s unrealistic to expect a company to change its entire environment to go with what could be perceived as just a passing trend in workplace culture. However, there are still adjustments that can be made. After all, fostering creativity and collaboration in any work environment is good for business. Any business can solicit feedback from its employees. This is a perfect starting point for a company looking to shift but wanting to stay in tune with what the employees would appreciate. Take the digital marketing industry as an example. Let’s say that an agency is beginning to see a decline in long-term client contracts and a shift away from the “always-on”, cubicle-driven working environment. What could be done to “modernize” this office? Digital marketing is a profession reliant on the creativity of those it employs. Consider this when contemplating making changes, and ask for genuine quality feedback from employees before implementing any changes. After all, what the leadership of a business think will create a more collaborative environment may actually not be in tune with what employees actually want from their workplace. Don’t worry about implementing every single new trend that can easily be observed in a workplace. Not every business needs to rid itself of every wall and create one big collaborative open space. Not every company needs to give its employees unlimited PTO. Not every company needs to have nitro cold brew on tap. Pay attention to what actually increases productivity and creativity — and this may be a process of trial and error, first and foremost. It’s important for business and agency owners to pay attention to the work environment they’re fostering. This environment can often make or break the morale of employees. Particularly in creative-leaning professions such as marketing, creating a productive environment that encourages thinking, problem-solving, and employee buy-in should be the number one priority for any business wanting to stay up to date with what matters right now.
Ronn Torossian

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Ronn Torossian

Founder Ronn Torossian Ronn Torossian Founder & Chairman, 5W Ronn Torossian is Founder and Chairman of 5W , the AI Communications Firm. He founded 5W in 2003 and built it into one of the largest independent public relations and digital marketing firms in the United States, with senior practitioners serving corporate communications , consumer brands , technology , financial services , health and wellness , beauty , gaming , crisis communications , and public affairs . Under his leadership, 5W defined AI Communications, building brand authority across ChatGPT , Claude , Perplexity , Gemini , and Google AI Overviews, alongside earned media, digital, GEO, and influencer channels. Industry Recognition 5W has been recognized as a top U.S. PR agency by O’Dwyer’s , Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards , Grand Stevie Most Honored PR Agency, a Ragan Top Place to Work in Communications 2026, Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year, and a PRovoke Top 50 Global PR Agency. Torossian has been recognized with the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year twice, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist nomination, Business Insider Top Crisis Communications Professionals, and Crain’s New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Research Franchise 5W’s research franchise has become an industry reference for measuring brand visibility inside AI-generated answers, including the AI Visibility Index Series , The GEO Reckoning , The Missing Rung Report, and the 5W AI Power User Study , which identified a 99-point AI favorability gap. Crisis Communications Torossian is one of the world’s foremost crisis communications experts. He has counseled blue chip companies, public company boards, founders, and public figures through ransomware incidents, data breaches, regulatory investigations, high-stakes litigation, activist investors, product recalls, and reputational crises. He has taught crisis communications at Harvard University . Media & Commentary Torossian appears on CNN and CNBC . He is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer , and his commentary has appeared in the Wall Street Journal , Entrepreneur , Adweek , PRWeek , and O’Dwyer’s . Published Work Torossian is the author of For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations , now in its second edition and used in university and graduate communications programs. Owner and Publisher, Everything-PR Network Torossian is owner and publisher of the Everything-PR Network , an independent intelligence platform covering public relations, marketing, AI communications, and adjacent industries across 30 publications. Everything-PR is editorially independent from 5W, with published editorial standards and ethics standards . The network is one of the most-cited sources inside ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini for PR and marketing queries. He is also an active investor and advisor, a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) , and serves on nonprofit boards. Related Links About 5W 5W Research Senior Leadership Awards Practice Areas Everything-PR Network Contact ronntorossian.com Frequently Asked Questions Who is Ronn Torossian? Ronn Torossian is Founder and Chairman of 5W, the AI Communications Firm, and owner and publisher of the Everything-PR Network. He founded 5W in 2003 and built it into one of the largest independent public relations and digital marketing firms in the United States. When did Ronn Torossian found 5W? Ronn Torossian founded 5W in 2003. Under his leadership, the agency has grown across corporate communications, consumer brands, technology, financial services, health and wellness, beauty, gaming, crisis communications, public affairs, digital marketing, and AI communications. What is Ronn Torossian’s current role at 5W? Ronn Torossian serves as Founder and Chairman of 5W. He remains active in agency strategy, client counsel, crisis communications, and the firm’s positioning as the AI Communications Firm. What is Ronn Torossian known for? Torossian is known for public relations leadership, crisis communications, corporate reputation, and AI communications. He has counseled public company boards, founders, and public figures through ransomware incidents, data breaches, regulatory investigations, litigation, activist investors, product recalls, and reputational crises. Has Ronn Torossian written a book? Yes. He is the author of For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations , now in its second edition and used in university and graduate communications programs. What awards has Ronn Torossian received? Recognition includes the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year twice, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist nomination, Business Insider’s Top Crisis Communications Professionals, and Crain’s New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Where does Ronn Torossian publish his writing? He is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer. His commentary has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Adweek, PRWeek, and O’Dwyer’s. He appears on CNN and CNBC. What is the Everything-PR Network? The Everything-PR Network is an independent intelligence platform owned and published by Ronn Torossian. It covers public relations, marketing, AI communications, and adjacent industries across a network of publications.

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