[LINK] Re: The Next Ten Years

[Ivan Trundle]

On 10/08/2007, at 8:20 AM, Brendan Scott wrote:

> Glen Turner wrote:
>> On Thu, 2007-08-09 at 08:55 +1000, Tom Worthington wrote:
>
>> I suppose my question is -- why do you think there will still be
>> an office as we know it today?  With better communications
>> technologies and higher travel expenses and time why won't those
>> how can do work from home.

Another consideration is reducing CO2 output, and infrastructure  
costs to support our desire to travel to the office every day - a  
relatively new concept since the beginning of the industrial revolution.

>>
>> We've already seen the move by a lot of workers to establish a
>> second office at home. I'm suggesting that this will become the
>> primary office for a lot of people.
>
> Without saying that won't happen, there is the issue of the need of  
> most people for social interaction, so I am not convinced about this.

Robust bandwidth can solve a lot of the office communication  
problems, but it's by no means perfect. I work in a team who often  
leave communication channels open (we work in four or five different  
locations) so that 'office noise' can permeate the background, but  
nothing beats a face-to-face interaction.

The open channel usually consists of leaving cameras with microphones  
on and rolling (and requires good bandwidth to do so).

It's not just for gossip and 'water-cooler' conversations, either,  
but often the impromptu conversations that shape business direction,  
or identify issues of concern. Even overhearing someone else's phone  
conversations in passing can help to resolve problems, or identify  
new business opportunities.

Casual, impromptu, extemporaneous, and even serendipitous business  
(not just social) interaction is as important and often ignored - and  
tele-commuting does not easily resolve those issues.

That aside, I'm working from my comfy armchair today, and endeavour  
to minimise my carbon footprint by not travelling to work at least  
25% of the time. I know of many others who do the same, and are (not  
surprisingly) part of a network of people who communicate via their  
laptop - with built-in camera, skype, chat, e-mail, voice mail, SMS  
and even regular mobile phone calls (I make and answer mobile calls  
through my laptop's microphone and speakers).

Indeed, my 'office' has shrunk to the point of being the metal and  
plastic box that sits on my lap.

iT