The Future of Work is Asynchronous/Remote (or at least it should be)
Startups and big firms are on a collision course with the future of work.
Why it matters: Knowledge workers have grown accustomed to flexible work schedules. Asynchronous work offers the flexibility to meet the needs of employers and employees.
- Automattic (parent of WordPress) pioneered asynchronous work.
- Employees set schedules, but must meet goals.
- Asynchronous work creates logistical challenges, but leads to better hires and productivity.
“Too often, we say, “You’re accountable to be at your desk this time of the day.” Who cares? Your customer is not buying how many hours a day people are at their desk.” ~ Matt Mullenweg
The big picture: This approach opens your startup to talent you may have been excluding before.
- Traditional offices force everyone to work at the lowest common denominator.
- Asynchronous allows employees to design their own work environment.
The other side: Understand the difference between truly asynchronous and remote.
- It might take 24 hours for five people to respond to an issue that could have been resolved in a 30-minute synchronous meeting.
Bottom line: Clarity of writing is the number one factor with asynchronous work. People may think they’re on the same page when they actually have a different understanding. Automattic invests in classes and workshops to improve employees’ writing skills.
Dig deeper: This CEO Lets His Employees Work Whenever They Want — From Wherever They Want
This post first appeared in the Social Leverage Letter
