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Over the past month, I& #39;ve been doing a lot of thinking/chatting about remote work ...
From software companies to manufacturers, VCs to educators, organizations large and small are engaging in a massive natural experiment in the science of remote work.
Some thoughts:
1/20
From software companies to manufacturers, VCs to educators, organizations large and small are engaging in a massive natural experiment in the science of remote work.
Some thoughts:
1/20
1/19
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ€Ż" title="Exploding head" aria-label="Emoji: Exploding head"> Working from home creates new stresses: Some folks have told me they feel more tired at the end of the day despite not having a commute. The endless hours sitting in the same position in front of a small screen likely has something to do with it!
2/20
2/20
If your means allow, consider upgrading your âhome office,â even if itâs just your kitchen table.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đĄ" title="Electric light bulb" aria-label="Emoji: Electric light bulb"> Consider more/better lighting
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đïž" title="Couch and lamp" aria-label="Emoji: Couch and lamp"> Set up multiple locations to take calls
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đŁ" title="Footprints" aria-label="Emoji: Footprints"> Do some walk & talks, even if just around your apartment
3/20
3/20
This is obviously harder if you have roommates or a tiny apartment, but taking some time to set up your space could pay dividends. Iâd also encourage founders to consider offering employees funds to buy an extra monitor, better chair, or other productivity enhancers.
4/20
4/20
Some have shared that they miss their commutes. In many ways, commutes are a time to clear oneâs head. Try scheduling a workout mid-day, a relaxing ritual, or even a nap or favorite Netflix episode to mark the end of the day.
5/20
5/20
All of this leaves managers less time for focused work and deep thinking.
6/20
7/20
The reality is that for families with two wage-earners, companies need to be flexible as parents sort out who will be cover the children at what times. Many are just working this out, but the formal end of the school year will add new complexity. (camps=essential svc!)
8/20
8/20
We encourage broad latitude here. If your kid shows up in the background of a call, it should be acceptable, even encouraged. At FC, we host a talent show featuring one of the office children before each Monday meeting!
9/20
9/20
As this shutdown persists and the initial feeling of solidarity subsides, managing these varied schedules may require additional creativity â if nothing else, more of a focus on asynchronous communication, and perhaps stretching the workday to include earlier/later calls.
10/20
10/20
11/20
12/20
While these seem simple and organic, thereâs overhead â and skill â required to make this work. You need to maintain the balance between friendly and professional, accommodate different time zones, and yes, someone has to facilitate and keep the conversation flowingâŠ
13/20
13/20
Companies making physical goods faces unique challenges â Where is the employee supposed to set up a soldering station in their studio apartment?
14/20
One company had to send an employee home with a high-end industrial sewing machine, creating something out of Depression-era Lower East Side! Iâm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg of odd working arrangements.
15/20
15/20
Weâre now mercifully free of deskside flossers, but a new cast of characters has emerged to take their place!
16/20
A few examples Iâve come across:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ€" title="Zipper-mouth face" aria-label="Emoji: Zipper-mouth face"> That guy who canât be bothered to mute on a 20-person call
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ" title="Performing arts" aria-label="Emoji: Performing arts"> The one who inexplicably keeps turning their video on/off during a call
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ€Ș" title="Zany face" aria-label="Emoji: Zany face"> And ofc, the Zoom background âcomediansâ (guilty as charged!)
17/20
17/20
18/20
19/20
Itâs too early to make bold predictions about the nature of work, but remote productivity will obviously be a bigger part of the mix.
Learning how to manage remotely, while staying productive, and maintaining mental health is the new MBA.
What are you seeing that works?
20/End
Learning how to manage remotely, while staying productive, and maintaining mental health is the new MBA.
What are you seeing that works?
20/End
