BOOK REVIEW: Remote by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

BOOK REVIEW: Remote
by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

ABOUT THE BOOK (from Amazon):

The “work from home” phenomenon is thoroughly explored in this illuminating new book from bestselling 37signals founders Fried and Hansson, who point to the surging trend of employees working from home (and anywhere else) and explain the challenges and unexpected benefits. Most important, they show why – with a few controversial exceptions such as Yahoo — more businesses will want to promote this new model of getting things done.

The Industrial Revolution’s “under one roof” model of conducting work is steadily declining owing to technology that is rapidly creating virtual workspaces and allowing workers to provide their vital contribution without physically clustering together. Today, the new paradigm is “move work to the workers, rather than workers to the workplace.” According to Reuters, one in five global workers telecommutes frequently and nearly ten percent work from home every day. Moms in particular will welcome this trend. A full 60% wish they had a flexible work option. But companies see advantages too in the way remote work increases their talent pool, reduces turnover, lessens their real estate footprint, and improves the ability to conduct business across multiple time zones, to name just a few advantages. In Remote, inconoclastic authors Fried and Hansson will convince readers that letting all or part of work teams function remotely is a great idea–and they’re going to show precisely how a remote work setup can be accomplished.

MY REVIEW:

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I started working remotely 8 years ago for a company that is 100% remote. After working my way up within the company, I now oversee all of the day-to-day operations. 

I am a strong believer in remote working. I personally thrive in this environment, but over the years I have learned that working remotely is not for everyone. I felt that the authors of Remote did not get as deep into the real-life issues of remote work environments as I was hoping they would.  Their approach was more of a sales pitch on allowing employees to work remotely (and using their software program to manage those remote projects).

Regardless, Remote is a quick and easy read.  If you’re considering allowing workers in your company to work remotely – or if you’re trying to pitch the idea to your boss – this book has a lot of helpful information.