The Office isn’t Working – Not True

We came across an opinion piece on cnn.com by Jason Fried, co-founder and president of 37signals and disagree with his thesis, “The modern office has become an interruption factory.  You can’t get work done at work anymore.”

In the lead sentence Fried asserts, “Companies spend billions on rent, offices and office equipment so their employees will have a great place to work.”  While true, this broad statement is not an accurate assessment of how all businesses are currently managing their property needs.  To the detriment of many companies, some are indeed adhering to an outdated real estate philosophy, which entails long-term lease agreements, hefty upfront capital expenditures and no flexibility with respect to size and terms.

However, forward-thinking businesses are looking at the workplace in a different light and are choosing innovative, agile workplaces that maximize the output of their employees while being mindful of the bottom line.

The clients we work with range in size and specifically chose us because of the flexibility, scalability and cost savings we deliver.  We analyzed the needs of the 21^st Century business and responded with collaboration spaces, enterprise-grade technology and even lighting and furniture that allows clients to thrive.

If the office is host to a myriad of distractions, as the author suggests, how is the local coffee shop, which is inundated with disruptions a haven for productivity?  Does having an important client meeting at a coffeehouse project the right image?  Is using free public Wi-Fi a secure way of running a business?

Obviously, work is getting done in locations outside of the traditional office – thanks to technology and the rise of the mobile worker.  However, it is very simplistic to dismiss the need of an office – all of the time.  A modern, 21^st Century workplace provides businesses with an environment that enhances productivity – something the local coffee shop or spare bedroom office could never do.