RE #164: 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!

Follow Chris on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/FortWorthChris

Learn more about Chris Powers and Fort Capital: www.FortCapitalLP.com

Follow Chris on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/

Jonathan on Twitter

Chris Herd on Twitter

(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’s 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

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