The Great Office Divide: Full Time vs Flexibility
The Great Office Divide: Full Time vs Flexibility
Plus, Nathan Manuel on how offices are shifting to experience-centric spaces
👋 Happy Tuesday! Amazon's recent push for a 5-day return to office raises questions about broader trends in the Tech industry. Our research shows Tech has the highest concentration of Fully Flexible firms across sectors, with only 4% requiring Full-Time office presence. Will this flexibility shift in the future? The answer remains to be seen.
In this week’s edition:
🏢 Starbucks vs Amazon RTO Strategies
🧑🍳 Top Industries Prioritizing In-Person Work
🎙️ Experience-Centric Office Spaces with Nathan Manuel
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THIS WEEK’S FLEX FOCUS 🔍
Starbucks vs. Amazon: Contrasting Return-to-Office Strategies
Starbucks and Amazon have taken starkly different approaches in the ongoing debate over post-pandemic work policies. Starbucks' new CEO, Brian Niccol, advocates for flexibility, encouraging employees to work wherever they need to ensure job effectiveness.
In contrast, Amazon has mandated a full return to office, requiring all corporate employees to work on-site five days a week starting January 2025. This move signals a complete reversal of the remote work trend that has dominated the tech industry since 2020.
These divergent strategies highlight companies' ongoing struggle to balance employee preferences, productivity, and corporate culture. As the business world grapples with these issues, the effectiveness of Starbucks' flexible approach versus Amazon's traditional stance in fostering innovation and driving success remains to be seen.
FLEX WORK QUICK HITS 💥
Stay ahead of the curve with our curated roundup of the trending flexible work stories making waves right now. Here's what you need to know 👇
Fortune: Companies grappling with return-to-office resistance should reimagine workplaces as immersive, authentic "flagship" experiences.
Axios: A new KPMG survey reveals that CEOs heavily favor in-office workers for promotions and opportunities, signaling a potential shift away from remote work.
Bloomberg: The post-pandemic rise of small-town co-working spaces offers workers community and flexibility, challenging traditional office return mandates and reshaping local economies.
The Hill: An OMB report reveals that federal agencies exceed the 50% in-office goal, challenging congressional pressure to reduce telework and highlighting its strategic value in government operations.
STAT OF THE WEEK 📈
From Restaurants to Manufacturing: Industries Prioritizing In-Office Work
Restaurants & Food Services enterprises are the most likely to require Full Time In Office for corporate employees. That’s likely driven by the desire to have corporate employees close to customers as they come into locations.
Education, Retail & Apparel, Healthcare, and Manufacturing & Logistics also have a significant percentage of firms requiring Full Time In Office for corporate employees.
FLEXPERT INSIGHTS 🧠
Preserving Company Culture in Coworking Spaces: A Practical Approach
Maintaining company culture remains a top concern for workplace leaders in an era of remote work and shared office spaces. However, Kayley DiCicco argues that preserving organizational identity within coworking environments is not only possible but achievable through three key strategies: intentional workplace design, leveraging on-site amenities, and promoting inclusivity.
Kayley emphasizes the importance of customizing dedicated spaces to reflect brand identity, utilizing available resources to enhance employee experience, and fostering engagement through regular events. By implementing these approaches, companies can maintain and potentially strengthen their culture, leading to increased profitability and employee satisfaction in the evolving landscape of modern workplaces.
FLEX PERSPECTIVES 🎙️
Redefining the Office: The Shift to Experience-Centric Spaces | Nathan Manuel
In this episode of Flex Perspectives, Rob Sadow is joined by Nathan Manuel, Co-Founder and Principal of Real Estate & Workplace Solutions at PM2. Nathan previously ran real estate and workplace for PagerDuty and MediaMath.
Join us as we discuss:
Nathan's approach to office development innovation during his 10-year tenure at MediaMath, including the buildout of 22 offices
Post-pandemic innovation in office design and functionality
Various office models and their suitability for different types of companies
Also available on Apple Podcasts.
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