The Remote Culture: Balancing Technology and Humanity
The shift to remote work is a familiar topic these days, but it didn’t just start when the pandemic hit. Thomas Waite, CEO of K16 Solutions, an education technology firm, shared his thoughts about remote work’s past, present, and future.
“We’ve felt little impact, as we’ve been a remote team for years. I’ve had the chance to talk to other businesses about the change. It’s been positive for them. It saves money and time. Employees are happier and more productive,” Waite said.
It’s true that remote workers are often more productive. According to a recent study, remote employees work 1.4 days per month than their office-based peers. But why are they more productive.
Dr. Waite believes this has a lot to with removing some of the barriers of in-office politics. “With remote work, you either produce something or you don’t,” he shared.
The key to productivity isn’t just technology that bridges the transactional distance. The culture of the company matters, and that doesn’t change in a remote dynamic.
However, many employers have concerns about being able to manage remote employees or losing interpersonal connections. Waite stated these concerns go back to ensuring you don’t forget the humanity piece of the equation. “I know my remote team better than those I’m in the office with regularly. It’s because I’m on the phone with them as they begin their day. It adds another layer of intimacy you don’t get in the office.”
Waite also credits the “no ego” rule in their culture. “I care about you and what you’re producing. We don’t have to pretend. Technology won’t magically change things. Culture matters and should blend humanity and technology,” he commented.
Catch more of Waite’s insights on the remote work culture by watching the video.
Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!
Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale
Latest
Biden Nears Win as Japan, Dutch Back China Chip Controls
For more on the West’s race to implement China chip controls, read Bloomberg’s explainer on the computer chip “arms race.” (Bloomberg) — Japan and the Netherlands are poised to join the US in limiting China’s access to advanced semiconductor machinery, forging a powerful alliance that will undercut Beijing’s ambitions to build its own domestic […]
NYSE Mayhem Traced to a Staffer Who Left a Backup System Running
(Bloomberg) — More than 700 miles from Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange’s backup data center on Cermak Road in Chicago is supposed to safeguard US markets, standing by at all hours in case disaster ever strikes the world’s largest venue for trading shares. When markets are closed, it participates in a well-worn routine, […]
California Storms Have Farmers Rushing to Avoid Crop Shortfall
(Bloomberg) — California farmers are facing costly damages from weeks of severe California storms that may trigger more expensive US fruits and vegetables in a time of massive food inflation. “The numbers are going to be somewhere in the hundreds of millions and perhaps in the billions,” Dave Puglia, head of the trade group Western […]
