One Degree Between Success And Failure
It's the truism of the 21st century: the world is flat, and for most of us, it's getting even flatter by the day. It's not just about globalization or outsourcing anymore. We're merging into one giant on-demand workforce with labor supplied from around the globe. Technological advances make outsourcing and other international work much easier to coordinate, less expensive to complete, and more efficient overall.
To put it in context, it's no longer possible to be an entrepreneur based in a remote corner of the world and effectively manage the whole enterprise from behind a PC monitor in your den. Finding, hiring and training the right people is becoming increasingly important. But there are more advantages to being close to those you manage. You can more easily stay on top of day-to-day operations, share best practices and brainstorm new ideas without geographic isolation, etc.
But for the first time in history, it's possible to live almost anywhere and still be an effective manager. In the past you had to be in the same room with your employees to supervise them, but thanks to modern-day communication technologies you can keep tabs on them no matter where they are. The distance between team members is becoming increasingly irrelevant. The location of a business and its managers is no longer a valid measure of productivity. If a business can generate the same profit from any given labor pool as it does from its office location--and it can--then that's the best place to put your money.
The No-Office model is proliferating at an astonishing rate. According to Thompson International, world corporations have reduced the number of employees on their payrolls by 13% over the past 10 years. Many are conducting labor force studies based on virtual offices, where actual physical locations are not essential for day-to-day operations.
The trend is being driven by a new generation of business leaders that understand the need to be more agile and efficient in today's globalized economy. It's an ironic twist; the world economy is moving toward its most efficient state ever--but at the same time it feels more disjointed, too. More people than ever are working for virtual companies and niche labor markets. People who have never met are getting work done together. But it can be lonely out there.
The danger of working in isolation is the element of risk. If people work remotely, they might not feel as responsible to the greater organization. They may lack opportunities to learn from one another because they don't share the same physical space. The Internet provides a wealth of information, but nothing replaces face-to-face interaction and communication.
At least that's how we used to think about it, but the workforce of tomorrow will look very different than today's. For most people in the 21st century, the distance between two points has become almost irrelevant. A physical separation is no longer necessary for effective communication or teamwork. The notion of a virtual workforce will soon be as common as a physical one.
If it's inevitable, how do we handle it?
Where It All Begins: Where Is Your Organization Now?
At the very first level, you need to make sure you are saving some money with the new model. The easiest way to make this happen is to drive home the idea that everyone will be more productive by working in an environment they enjoy. If you already have a physical headquarters, and everyone likes it there, you'll need a more powerful motivating factor. But if your environment is not as productive as it should be, improve your space.
There was a time when businesspeople believed their workspace had to be furnished with traditional office supplies like desks and chairs. Nowadays, that's not the case. There are lots of inexpensive options for non-office spaces. For example, many people work at home and like to work in their living rooms. The point is that you should have a workplace that suits your style and personality. But if you're still stuck on the office idea, why not try something new?
Some businesses are taking advantage of the location independence they now enjoy by working out of cafes or coffee shops. It's a style that's well suited for solo workers and small teams. The work environment is more social, with people on the move and the general hustle-and-bustle of a local business or public gathering place.
If your business is mobile or home-based, it makes sense to find a good place to work that offers plenty of opportunities for social interaction. If you like to be in the center of things, why not try a coffee shop? It's an interesting experiment with lots of potential benefits. As proof, consider the latest trends in global business that are based in coffee shops.
Coffee shops are a new global business model. Google. Starbucks. La Boulangerie Moka in Paris. There's a growing list of international companies and individuals who get their work done remotely and then gather to share ideas and exchange information to complete projects as a group.
Conclusion:
I have no doubt that the future will be a great one. If you don't already have a virtual office, there are plenty of great ideas and resources out there to help you create one. If you haven't yet considered the idea, I would encourage you to explore this option more deeply. Virtual offices can open up many exciting possibilities for your company. You might like what you see. And if so, I wish you the best of luck! If not, give it some careful thought.