Idea in Brief
The Problem
Remote work is delivering some near-term productivity boosts and cost savings, but the longer-term impact may be very negative for company performance.
Why That Is
Human beings require personal connection to build trust. Learning through observation requires physical proximity. And chance encounters between diverse individuals are a rich source of innovation.
The Solution
Tomorrow’s offices will serve primarily as a place to renew social ties, build a learning culture, and offer opportunities for serendipity. They will be designed and managed to foster human connections with the help of technology.
In June 2019 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) opened Olympic House, its new headquarters, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Constructed over six years, at a cost of $150 million, the new building was empty within just nine months. IOC staffers, like knowledge workers around the world, were working from home.