Google's Desk-Sharing Policy: Practicality vs. Employee Well-being

1. Google announces desk-sharing policy to improve office space efficiency and save costs
2. Desk-sharing could lead to reduced privacy, limited storage, and noise distractions for employees
3. The company plans to address employee concerns and maintain a comfortable work environment through overflow drop-in space and effective communication

Adapting to the New Era of Remote Work: The Role of Technology in Making It Possible

“What we discovered in designing this workplace of the future is that we need a workplace that has choices for all these work styles,” says Scott Strzinek, NI Corp.’s senior director of global facilities. 

The company had employees test the changes, designed by Gensler, in a portion of its building before going ahead with a renovation of 450,000 square feet, to be completed in 2024. NI Corp., which has 70 offices in 25 countries, plans to roll out the designs to other locations over the next few years." - WSJ

Back in the day, remote work was a pipe dream for many companies. It was challenging to implement and manage, and not all employees had the necessary technology or equipment to work from home. But over the years, technology has made remote work more accessible and convenient for businesses of all sizes.

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Amazon CEO Announces Plan to Return to the Office Despite Employee Satisfaction with Remote Work

In this article, we discuss Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's announcement that the company plans to return to the office for the majority of its employees at least three days per week from May 1, 2023. 

Despite the fact that 77% of employees report greater productivity while working off-site, Jassy believes that being in the office together most of the time allows for better collaboration, more effective invention, and easier learning. 

However, there is no presented or existing data to support any of the documented reasons for a return to the office, and a new study from the University of Birmingham found that the majority of managers see benefits in working from home, including increased productivity, motivation, and concentration. 

The article questions the value of chance encounters and serendipity in the workplace and suggests that cultivating strong relationships, developing new skills, and actively seeking out opportunities to grow and learn are more effective strategies for success.

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The Impact of Remote Work on Commercial Real Estate And You

Why is this important to you:

• The shift to remote work is leading to a decline in demand for traditional office space and an increase in vacancies.
• This trend means that businesses will reevaluate their office space requirements and look for ways to reduce real estate costs.
• There will be an increased demand for technologies that enable remote work, which helps office technology salespeople tailor solutions to meet the changing needs of your customers.

This indicates a fundamental shift in the way businesses use office space. With more employees working from home, the demand for traditional office space is declining, leading to a significant increase in vacancies.

As a result, there may be an increased demand for technologies that enable remote work, such as video conferencing tools, collaboration software, and cloud-based storage solutions. 

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Work from Anywhere and the Transience of Existence: Lessons from Blade Runner in the Age of Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we work, communicate, and live. With many businesses forced to close their offices and switch to remote work, the "work from anywhere" movement has gained momentum. However, this trend was already on the rise before the pandemic, fueled by advances in technology that make it possible to work and collaborate from anywhere in the world.

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.

As the article "Remote Work Is Here to Stay. Manhattan May Never Be the Same" by Matthew Haag highlights,

Copywriters Evaporate: Why the Audience is Finally Taking the Stage

Where the audience reigns supreme.

In the world of art, there has always been a false notion that the artist, performer, manager, and provider hold the key to success. This idea has been reinforced by the numerous award shows and accolades given to those who create. However, with the advent of the fear of Covid (#WFA) and AI (#ChatGPT), it seems that the tide is finally turning. The audience is now being recognized as the true driver of success in the entertainment industry.

"DaVinci had a great mind. But, it is how the product (Mona Lisa) impacts and makes the customer (beholder) feel."

Your House of Representatives, "Get Back To Work, You Filthy Animals."

The Future of Federal Work: #WFA vs. In-Office Work

See, I told you so, "How Long Until We See "Work from the office" mandates?".  

Two things: 

1. The bill will never be signed, and won't make it out of the House
2. Once again, the wording insults all of us who currently work from anywhere and those who recently found the #WFA movement more productive and fulfilling.

A summary of the article:

Navigating the Hybrid Era: How Companies Can Thrive in the New Normal of Remote and In-Person Work

It's been almost three years since we first started working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. And since then, many of us have not returned to our office desks five days a week. This shift towards hybrid work, which combines remote and in-person work, is here to stay and is the biggest change in the way we work in our lifetimes.

Beyond the Cubicle: How WFH is Changing the Dynamics of the Work Spouse Relationship (or How to Survive Sharing a Home Office with Your Work Spouse)

Well, folks, let me tell ya, the 'Work Spouse' has been around since the dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Y'know, back in the days before the Covid-19 pandemic, the office was a breeding ground for interpersonal relationships, and the label 'work spouse' was like a rubber stamp of approval for a third-party 9-5 romance.

WFH: The Death of the 'Work Spouse'

The "Work Wife", and "Work Spouse" has been around since the '30s. The Pre-Covid office environment was a petri dish for interpersonal relationships - the label recognizes, if not legitimizes, a third-party 9-5 relationship.

"Fighting for the Soul of Society: The Impact of Politics on Business"

In this society, where politics and business blend,

We must stay informed and not pretend,

To think that our work is separate from the rest,

For copier sales, like all, are affected by the test.

The pandemic has shown us, all politics is local,

It shapes the economy, it shapes the vocal,

It shapes the way we sell, the way we lead,

It shapes the future, of which we are the seed.

As copier salespersons, we must be like "V",

Well-versed in all aspects, vigilant,

From elected leaders to local school boards,

We must stay informed, and not be ignored.

We must anticipate regulations and laws,

And make strategic decisions, without pause,

We must stay informed about the latest trends,

And understand the needs of our friends.

We must pay attention to our community,

And tailor our strategies accordingly,

For the survival of our business is tied,

To the soul of society, on which we must rely.

So let us stay informed, let us be "V",

For victory in copier sales, and all we do,

For the fight for a sustainable future,

Is a fight for the soul of society, and our culture.

In today's society, politics and business are inextricably linked. The common thread that connects them is centralized, authoritarian rule.

The Death of The Copier: How Converting Copier Supplies into Hand Sanitizer Can Help Fight Germs and Bacteria

As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic, businesses and organizations have had to adapt in order to keep their employees and customers safe. One such adaptation has been the conversion of copier supplies into hand sanitizer. While this may seem like a small change, it is a crucial step in the fight against germs and bacteria.

The use of hand sanitizer has become increasingly important as a way to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. With the rise of COVID-19, the need for hand sanitizer has skyrocketed, leading to shortages and increased prices. In order to meet this demand, many businesses have turned to make their own hand sanitizer. One of the most popular ways to do this is by converting copier supplies into hand sanitizer.

"Friday the 13th: The Fall of Templars and Rise of Remote Working"

Friday the 13th is a date that has long been associated with bad luck and superstition. But where did this belief originate? Some theories suggest that it is connected to the persecution of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307. 

On that day, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Templars, a medieval Christian military order, on charges of heresy and other crimes. The Templars were arrested and tortured, and many were eventually executed. 

"Just like the Knights Templar, businesses and employees are facing new challenges and obstacles as they adapt to a new way of working."

The idea of Friday the 13th being a day of bad luck may have originated from the events of that day, as the arrest and persecution of the Templars marked the end of the order and the beginning of its downfall.

Why The Work From Anywhere Movement Is Important & What Your Peers Are Saying.

At one time the range of ‘office technology’ consisted of expensive devices and platforms like networks, printers, copiers, filing cabinets, desktop computers, postage machines, telephones, and fax machines to name a few.

Technology evolved. Fewer company networks, smartphones in every pocket, laptops instead of desktops, faxes in the form of email attachments, and filing cabinets in the Cloud.

What remained was the physical place to meet – meeting rooms, company kitchens, watercoolers, open

and shared areas, and the essential, Executive Conference room.

2023 Predictions - "After The Fire, the Fire Still Burns"

Past and Future According to Greg Walters

Here we go...

Upon an ocean of auguries and reflections, my contrarian tendencies pull me into ignoring if not despising each "end of the year" account and "predictions for next year".  So many articles and pontifications - it's stifling.  

Who needs it? 

Well, low and behold, I've surrendered to the waves, to the Fire.  Here is my contribution to the deadwood of 2022 and the albatross of 2023.

*SPECIAL NOTE IF YOU WANT TO SKIP TO SEE YOUR FUTURE SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO "Artificial Intelligence" becomes simply "Intelligent".*

Marc Benioff Is Wrong young, remote employees are Not hurting the company's productivity. It's the Software.

The pre-Covid commute has been replaced by entering data into the CRM.

Maybe Salesforce just isn't that good of a product. 

He overhired.  The market changed.  Remote professionals discovered that they don't need a manager.  Oh...and SalesForce isn't that good of a system its customers are old-school, command and control, status-quo, adhere to the process not deliverables, CYA, types that demand Walk Around Management, and define productivity as staying" between the lines."

And another thing - all these professors coming out of the woodwork and pontificating, are the propagators of the " old-school, command and control, status-quo, adhere to the process, not deliverables, CYA, types that demand Walk Around Management, and define productivity as staying between the lines." mentality - they taught it.

The world is in a place nobody has been before and comparing anything today with what was done just 48 months ago is foolish.

What did CIOs Read in 2022?

Inspired by the WSJ article, here.  Paywall.

Patton said it best, "...I read your book!"

Relevance, shared experience, and trust are currencies of the Post-Fear-of-Covid Age so knowing what your prospects view as important enough to spend time-consuming is a step in identifying with prospects and improving your worldly knowledge.

Proof Social Media is Rigged

Diana Rigg as Emma Peal, The Avengers

How Twitter Rigged the Covid Debate

The platform suppressed true information from doctors and public-health experts that was at odds with U.S. government policy.

Inspiration from an article about the connection between the US Government and ALL the tech companies written by David Zweig at The Free Press, here.

Summary via ChatGTP:

It is alleged that both the Trump and Biden administrations in the United States pressured Twitter to moderate content related to Covid-19 and the pandemic in a way that aligned with their agendas. The Trump administration was concerned with preventing panic buying and sought help from tech companies, including Twitter, to combat misinformation. 

Attracting Employees Back to the Office: Challenges with the Supply Chain and Selling Office Technology

As the world continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are struggling to attract employees back to the office. This can be a challenging task, as remote work has become more popular than ever before and many people have grown accustomed to the flexibility and convenience it offers.

One of the biggest challenges companies face when trying to bring employees back to the office is the supply chain. The pandemic has disrupted supply chains around the world, making it difficult for companies to obtain the necessary supplies and equipment to create a safe and comfortable working environment. This can be particularly problematic for office technology, such as computers, printers, and other types of equipment that are essential for employees to do their jobs effectively.

To attract employees back to the office, companies must be able to provide a safe and comfortable working environment that meets all of their needs. This includes having the right office technology in place to support their work. However, with the supply chain being disrupted, it can be difficult to obtain the necessary equipment in a timely manner.

The Greg Walters Show With Mike Stramaglio

Fly Me Too The Moon

New to the copier industry?  You want to hear the three things you should be doing to thrive in this world (of selling) and the next(of selling).