Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo | Becoming a Remote-First Company
Jul 14, 2020
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Adam D'Angelo, CEO and co-founder of Quora, shares insights on the company’s transformative shift to a remote-first model spurred by the pandemic. He highlights the surprising benefits of remote work, such as increased flexibility and recruitment opportunities, while navigating challenges in communication and collaboration. D'Angelo discusses how informal interactions are maintained through innovative tools and underscores the importance of decisive leadership in this new work landscape. His vision for the future embraces a blend of remote and co-working spaces.
Quora's shift to a remote-first company was driven by newfound productivity benefits and reduced commuting stress observed during the pandemic.
The transition emphasized synchronous communication tools like Zoom to enhance collaboration, reflecting the company's commitment to employee engagement across time zones.
Deep dives
Transition to Remote-First Work Culture
Quora's decision to embrace a remote-first work structure emerged from their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, which dispelled previous assumptions about in-person collaboration. Adam D'Angelo noted that before the pandemic, Quora maintained a strict office culture, emphasizing the value of face-to-face interactions. However, the enforced shift to remote work revealed numerous benefits, including enhanced productivity and reduced commuting stress. As a result, Quora announced its commitment to a remote-first model, aligning its strategy with evolving workplace dynamics.
Leveraging Technology for Collaboration
Quora has adopted new technologies to ensure effective collaboration in a remote-first environment, emphasizing the importance of synchronous communication. While many companies have transitioned to asynchronous work, Quora prioritizes real-time interactions through tools like Zoom. Designated working hours from 9 am to 3 pm Pacific Time have been established to facilitate team collaboration across different time zones. This approach is particularly crucial for maintaining creativity and dynamic exchanges among diverse team members.
Employee Feedback and Adaptation
The transition to remote work sparked mixed reactions among Quora's employees, leading the company to implement surveys to gather feedback on productivity and preferences. Many employees expressed a desire to remain remote, highlighting the lifestyle improvements gained from eliminating long commutes and visa challenges. This feedback was instrumental in guiding Quora's decision-making process and acknowledging the importance of employee well-being in adapting to new work arrangements. The outcome was a clearer understanding of the workforce's needs and preferences, leading to a more favorable remote work policy.
Impact of Remote Work on the Labor Market
D'Angelo discussed the broader societal benefits of a shift towards remote work, including increased labor mobility and improved access to job opportunities globally. Historically, rising housing costs in major job markets hindered worker relocation, but remote work could help mitigate this issue by allowing talent to reside anywhere. Additionally, the ability for couples to navigate job opportunities independently fosters greater flexibility in career decisions. Overall, a wider adoption of remote work is expected to positively influence housing markets, employment patterns, and individual lifestyles.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tech startup Quora had a strong office culture and discouraged employees from working remotely most of the time. But once the company had no choice, Quora CEO and co-founder Adam D'Angelo says they discovered the benefits of working from anywhere far outweigh the drawbacks. In late June, Quora announced it would become a remote first company. Adam discusses the decision with Greylock partner David Thacker. This episode is part of Greymatter's #WorkFromAnywhere series hosted by David and fellow Greylock partners Sarah Guo.