the ROCKS GLASS

Seth Godin: Goodbye to the Office

cameronmoll:

Seth compares factories from the industrial age to corporate offices today, and draws this conclusion:

If we were starting this whole office thing today, it’s inconceivable we’d pay the rent/time/commuting cost to get what we get. I think in ten years the TV show ‘the Office’ will be seen as a quaint antique.

When you need to have a meeting, have a meeting. When you need to collaborate, collaborate. The rest of the time, do the work, wherever you like.

Although the factory vs. office comparison probably wouldn’t hold up entirely under further scrutiny, I agree for the most part. Having worked in several office environments at companies big and small, there’s really no need to be on-site 100% of the time. I’m far more productive when I’m working where and how I prefer to work.

After people really start listening to my hand waving rants about caring about the things you make, this is the second cause I’m going to wave the banner for.

Cameron nails it right on the head: There’s really no need to be on-site 100% of the time.

I am also much more productive when I am able to work at a location of my choosing. Some of my most productive days have been those where I’ve chosen to work at home for the day.

I’m lucky enough to work at a place that doesn’t frown upon simply deciding to work from home, a coffee shop or strip club. However it’s kind of an unwritten rule that you should be in the office at least 75% of the time.

Someday, a culture shift spurred by even more technological advances will make office appearances of 50% or less acceptable. FaceTime on iPhone 4 will be one of the gateways to that.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get ready for a lunch meeting I’m going to have at a transvestite hamburger joint.