Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

Japan’s irregular working hours often lead to overwork and exhaustion, but in an effort to promote healthy work cultures, Itoki Corp. and Koyoju Gohan are releasing vertical nap boxes. By tapping into the established behaviour of sleeping in the office, the innovation asks workers to nap on the job.

The Manuscript Writing Café in Tokyo is helping writers meet their deadlines by creating pressured working conditions out of the office. While many people are happy with the flexibility of remote working, some are looking for ways of staying focused outside of traditional workplaces.

As Gen Zers make their way onto the career ladder, they’re questioning workplace norms and seeking careers that help them balance their personal lives, social values, and financial goals. So what does work-life balance look like for this generation – and how can brands and workplaces respond?

People’s perceptions of productivity have shifted. Capacities is a cloud-first platform that has captivated personal knowledge management users due to its structure, user interface, and interconnectivity, fulfilling a growing desire to optimise workflows and upskill all within the same space.