How could we do a breakfast series in 2020 without diving into the topic of virtual working? With the advance of video conferencing (MS Teams / Zoom) and cloud computing, working from home has become a real option to many organizations.
The benefits of remote work can be very attractive. For one, a lack of a commute can benefit both the employer and an employee. The employer gains the ability to recruit from anywhere, and the employee can choose to live anywhere which will suit their lifestyle.
It may not be apparent quite yet but I have a suspicion that over long periods of time, virtual work will start to show it’s weaknesses. When I worked in the field, the culture of the regional office was unparalleled. It came from the feeling of togetherness and family which could was only made possible due to the close quarters environment. We’ve all heard the age old platitude: “Those who eat together, stay together.” On that note, how many of us have felt closer to our colleagues after a late night out?
I think that after a longer period of time the workplace camaraderie and culture will begin to erode. Perhaps corporations will have to find ways to ensure face to face interactions still happen.
Many companies have declared that remote work will be the norm through 2020 and even deep into 2021. Most notably I’ve heard of the big tech giants leading the way on this front. Think Google, Shopify, Apple, etc. In a globalized economy and marketplace it makes sense that companies would want to recruit worldwide to get their hands on the best talent available.
Remote work is definitely not a pandemic thing. It has been talked about since the early 2010s when video conferencing became more mainstream in the workplace. Don’t believe me? Check out this report from Deloitte in 2014.
Guided Discussion
- What advantages and disadvantages have you personally experienced through remote work?
- What type of teams/projects do you think would thrive in a virtual environment?
- Are there any different expectations which should become the norm in a remote environment?
- As a (future) leader, how do you think this will impact your leadership style?
Early Birds > Late Worms 