The FORT Podcast: Chris Herd & Jonathan Wasserstrum – A Conversation on Remote Work – Pros & Cons
Chris Herd is the Founder & CEO at Firstbase, which helps companies build infrastructure with a remote-first mindset. He takes the side of remote work being most beneficial in the future of work.
Jonathan Wasserstrum is the Co-Founder and CEO of SquareFoot, which helps companies find commercial real estate and office space. Jonathan takes the side of in-person work being most beneficial in the future of work.
On this episode, Chris Powers moderates a debate between Chris Herd and Jonathan about which method of running business will lead to greater levels of success. Enjoy!
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(02:51) – Jonathan and Chris’ Background and What They’re Doing Today
(05:00) – What does remote work mean to each of you and how do you think about the concept?
(10:09) – Jonathan – Do you define SquareFoot as a remote-first or office-first company?
(12:07) – How are leaders deciding whether they’ll be an office or remote company?
(16:36 ) – Trust Between Employers and Employees
(18:56) – What’s the Cadence of Coming Together as a Team and Being Able to Work Remotely
(25:40) – How does size or prestige of a company impact the ability of employees to influence the decision on remote vs. in person?
(31:20) – Is there any danger to your long-term career-worth by choosing to leave a company that mandates in-office work?
(35:47 ) – Relationship/Friendship Building In-Office vs. Remote
No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings
(46:27) – What are the signals or data points to see what matters in either taking a company remote or discovering how much time is ‘needed’ in-office over the next 5 years?
(51:03) – Where are a lot of these remote radicals going to live and work?
(55:27) – Data on Where People Want to Start Technology Companies Pre and Post Covid
(1:01:19) – How do you think about the next generation of workers coming out of school and only understanding a remote-work life. Do they miss out on mentorship or human interaction?
(1:10:08) – How do promotions get delegated on in-person workers and remote?
(1:11:43) – Trust and Tracking within Remote Companies
(1:16:25) – Wrap Up & Closing Statements
The FORT is produced by Straight Up Podcasts