The Future of Work

What the biggest brands in the world are considering and how you can help shape their decision.

By Renn Vara

Google believes they will need more space to accommodate social distancing. Salesforce says it will come down to programming teams and using the space creatively. WeWork sees a bright future with flexibility as the highest priority. And small and midsize companies are rethinking their need for office space altogether.

Then there is the discussion about social capital and proximity to power. These experts say we have a human need for social connection that will win out over this current situation. But in the meantime, there will be a delicate balance between those who benefit from being in the office and those who enjoy working from home. Maybe.

What we know is that a lot of people don’t want to go back to the rat race that previously ruled their lives. They’ve been thinking about their lives, their futures, and the world they want to live in. They like getting things done at home. Being available to their family. Many are seeing their better selves. Isolation aside. And companies are seeing a serious increase in productivity. As the head of corporate space for Salesforce recently said on NPR, a light switch has been turned on.

Here’s what we know at SNP. This is a moment for great leaders and managers. Clarity of goals and objectives, expectations, outcomes, and active engagement are now more essential than ever. Communication is the skill they must master to win at this moment. As we say at SNP, we’re all broadcasters now. The great ones get it.

So what will the future of work be like? We believe the answer lies with you. Do you want to go back to a home away from home? The commute? Dictated place and time requirements? Or do you want the flexibility of working where you are most productive? Your companies are listening right now. Tell them.

We see a world with redesigned offices built for meetings and social spaces instead of rooms of desks. Neighborhood-based shared hubs. And meeting spaces to accommodate the increased demand for team offsites and large venues for company-wide meetings.

We will always need the social connection, the collaboration, and yes, the forums for power and ambition. But your company is doing the math. And like what they’re seeing. So it’s time to ask for what you want. You are the future of work.