edtechsInfoOct 1, 2023
Christopher Mims

Nick Bloom of Stanford, probably the world authority on data-driven studies of the impact of remote work, delivers what is so far the definitive assessment of whether or not it’s a good idea.

Short answer: it can do wonders. Both hybrid and remote work, work.

But they require the right management and tools.

Managers who don’t know how to manage remote workers can ruin the experience for everyone.

https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/4228100-does-working-from-home-damage-productivity-just-look-at-the-data/

Does working from home damage productivity? Just look at the data. 

Does working from home work?  In a nutshell, that answer is “yes.” But it’s important to understand why.

The Hill
Sep 30, 2023 at 6:18pmWeb
Show threadelle mundySep 30, 2023
@mimsical i think also it’s useful to use the data to tell better stories, rather than saying data is better than stories, as this excerpt seems to suggest. at the end of the day, we’re all story-driven humans, and that’s what changes minds
Show threadChristopher MimsSep 30, 2023
@exchgr Yes, I agree. Nick’s data would be best paired with stories of companies making it all work. Fwiw that’s the kind of thing I’m researching now. It’s slow going because companies are reluctant to grant access.
Show threadeestileib (she/hers)Sep 30, 2023

@mimsical @exchgr

Have you tried being an unabashed shill?

I hear it works for Isaacson...

Show threadYury MolodtsovSep 30, 2023
@mimsical Something that we knew all along but glad to see it confirmed :)
Show threadBen WaberSep 30, 2023
@mimsical I just don't like the framing of the article though. Workplace strategy changes how people work. That can raise organizational productivity in some cases and lower it in others, but it's not just about management - it's about matching those patterns to the type of work and changing it over time. Bloom occasionally gets at that in some of his talks, but he never emphasizes it otherwise to the detriment of the overall conversation
Show threadChristopher MimsOct 1, 2023
@bwaber This is a very important and good way to add nuance to this discussion. Both that it depends on the type of work *and* that it can and does change over time...
Show threadMarc CrileySep 30, 2023

@mimsical Not optimistic here. Reminded of studies done in the 70s and 80s demonstrating that knowledge workers were most productive with one decently sized office per worker and with a door that could be closed.

Instead we got cubicle farms and then open plan offices.

I was able to early retire, and I don't miss it.

Show threadedtechsInfoOct 1, 2023
@mimsical managing a WFH team, my concerns are:
1. Building the team and culture
2. Enabling collective creativity
3. Ensuring ergonomic working practices (i.e good chairs, time away from the screen)
It certainly isn't productivity. Nevertheless good article amongst the tidal wave of anti-WFH drivel.
Show threadMatt MaisonOct 2, 2023

@mimsical

@ranimolla