How Upwork Enhanced Collaboration and Reduced Workspace Costs by 56% with Gable

The challenge

Upwork is the world's leading work marketplace, connecting businesses of all sizes with top global talent. However, it struggled to connect its global teams, particularly in regions without corporate offices. Its previous flexible space provider had limited network reach, inadequate analytics, and inflexible cost models. 

“Before working with Gable, our primary workplace challenges were connecting people in areas without corporate offices and helping them access the workspaces they needed exactly when and where required.”

Goals

To address these challenges, Upwork sought to:

• Provide seamless, on-demand access to flexible workspaces globally
• Facilitate intentional team gatherings and regional connection strategies
• Improve cost efficiency, accountability, and workspace usage tracking 

Why Upwork Chose Gable 

Upwork selected Gable for several reasons:

• An extensive, high-quality, pre-vetted global network of flexible workspaces 
• Superior user experience, allowing intuitive self-service workspace booking
• Enhanced customization capabilities and analytics for cost tracking and controls

“We chose Gable because of their large network, quality spaces, and platform experience. Gable enables our people to fluidly connect and easily book in-person days together or meetings and events.”

Results & benefits

Cost savings & efficiency 

After switching to Gable, Upwork reduced the costs of its flexible workspace program by 56%. Additionally, customizable controls allowed precise cost allocations directly to business units, significantly enhancing cost tracking and accountability.

“Gable has driven significant cost savings for us, providing customized controls that dictate how and where teams book, enabling greater accountability and real-time cost tracking.”

Improved collaboration & community 

Gable facilitated team gatherings and strengthened connections, significantly enhancing corporate belonging scores. Teams organically initiated coworking and social events, driven by the ease of coordinating through Gable’s platform.

Operational efficiency 

Gable’s self-service booking and concierge event planning dramatically reduced the administrative workload on Upwork’s workplace team, enabling them to focus more strategically. Admins can autonomously manage bookings and events, streamlining operations and making event organization a breeze.

Actionable insights 

Granular utilization data from Gable allows Upwork to continually refine its workplace strategy. Real-time insights enable responsive adjustments to better accommodate team and individual preferences.

Upwork’s workplace team can see that 64 different departments have booked on-demand spaces on Gable 1,227 times and get an easy overview of why these employees get together, so they can better support their in-person needs. 

Key Features 

• Intuitive booking platform promoting visibility and facilitating team gatherings
• Advanced analytics and highly customizable cost control options
• Gable Concierge provides personalized support for event planning
• Exceptional strategic partnership and high-quality service 

About Upwork

Upwork is the world’s work marketplace, connecting businesses with independent talent from across the globe. Its powerful, trust-driven platform enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential. 

Manage your hybrid workplace with Gable. 

Give your teams access to coworking spaces worldwide, manage your leased office spaces, check in visitors, organize events, and access real-time data and analytics—all in one easy-to-use platform.