Max Shepherd-Cross’ Post

"If we're mandating office use, that's not really flexible. That is the opposite of flexible." Just wrapped up a conversation with Zoë Ogden from Impression who where recently ranked the 5th most flexible company by Flexa. Here’s their playbook for flexible work: 🤹 Blending Personal and Professional: At Impression, flexibility isn't just a policy; it's about understanding that everyone has unique needs. Whether it’s family time, personal hobbies, or work tasks, they're creating an environment where all aspects of life get the attention they deserve. 🌍 Purpose Over Presence: They ditched the strict in-office mandates for purpose-driven meetups. Why sit in an office without your team, right? Impression ensures that office days are packed with value—whether it’s creative ideation sessions, crucial one-to-ones, or just enjoying a well-earned coffee together. 📊 Real Results, Real Flexibility: It's not about clocking in and out. Impression measures success by results. This approach respects personal work styles and promotes efficiency—no need to be desk-bound to deliver top-notch work. 🚀 Testing the Waters: True to their transparent and innovative culture, they're all about trialing new ways of working. If something enhances their team's productivity or wellbeing, it’s a keeper. If not, it’s back to the drawing board. 💬 Hybrid with Heart: By focusing on connectivity and genuine interactions, Impression maintains a vibrant culture. Their hybrid model supports significant face-to-face collaboration while respecting individual needs for remote work. Zoë’s insights remind us that successful flexible working strategies are rooted in trust, tailored approaches, and a firm commitment to employee wellbeing. Impression isn’t just adapting to new normals; they’re creating them. 👀 What’s your take on flexible working? Have you found a sweet spot between remote and office work? #WorkCulture #FlexibleWorking #Leadership #EmployeeWellbeing #BusinessInnovation

Navigating the Work Culture: Work From Home, Office, and Hybrid As the workplace continues to evolve, businesses and employees are redefining what work looks like. Whether you’re working from home, in the office, or embracing a hybrid model, each approach offers unique benefits and challenges. Let’s dive into what makes each work style stand out! 1️⃣ Work From Home (WFH): Flexibility is key. Working from home offers employees autonomy, reduced commuting time, and a better work-life balance. It allows for a quieter, personalized environment, but it can also feel isolating. Clear communication and self-discipline become crucial for success. 2️⃣ In-Office Work: Being physically present in the office fosters team bonding, spontaneous collaboration, and a structured environment. Face-to-face interactions enhance creativity and problem-solving, but it can sometimes lack the flexibility that employees seek. 3️⃣ Hybrid Model: The best of both worlds! A hybrid model allows employees to alternate between home and office, promoting flexibility while retaining the benefits of in-person collaboration. However, it requires effective technology tools and strong communication strategies to ensure all team members are engaged. 👉 The key takeaway? No one-size-fits-all solution. Companies must understand their culture, employee preferences, and operational needs to design the most effective model. Abhinav G. #workfromhome #office #hybrid #culture #Tech #productivity #challenges

Here's why the acronym OOO (Out of Office) is no longer sufficient👇 As we navigate the post-pandemic reality of remote and distributed workforces, it's evident that traditional work paradigms are evolving. The once ubiquitous term "OOO" (Out of Office) seems increasingly outdated in a world where their may be no Office. I propose we adopt a more fitting acronym: "AFW" (Away From Work). The transition from OOO to AFW is not just a change in terminology but a necessary evolution in our understanding of work-life balance. In a remote work environment, being out of the office doesn't necessarily equate to being off work. Everywhere has become our office, and thus, the signal that we are not to be disturbed needs to be unambiguous. AFW does exactly that; it communicates a clear boundary - I am not just out of a physical location, but I am consciously choosing to unplug from work. Adopting AFW over OOO signifies a deeper respect for personal time and well-being. It acknowledges that to perform optimally, individuals need time to rest and recharge without the looming expectation of being reachable. This is particularly crucial in a remote setup where work can easily seep into personal hours due to the accessibility of digital communication tools. AFW sends a clear message to colleagues and clients alike: I am currently prioritizing my well-being and personal commitments, and I will return more focused and productive. Moreover, AFW encourages a culture of trust and autonomy. It empowers employees to manage their time and workload in a way that suits their life commitments and work style, fostering a more inclusive and flexible work environment. This not only benefits individual well-being but also enhances organizational productivity and employee satisfaction. As we continue to adapt to the changing landscape of work, it's crucial that our language and practices reflect these shifts. AFW is more than an acronym; it's a statement of intent, a commitment to prioritizing well-being, and a step towards a healthier work-life. Let's embrace AFW and set a new standard for what it means to be truly away from work in the digital age. What else should we update to fit out new work paradigm? #remote #work done #differently

Five days at the office? That's history! 🔄🏠💼 Hybrid working is redefining 'normal' in our work lives. It's not just about comfort—it's about striking a balance that benefits everyone involved. 👥 For professionals, it means mixing structured office time with the freedom of working from home. The result? You can enjoy the best of both worlds! Team collaboration and face-to-face meetings when you need them, and heads-down focus in your home office when you don't. ✅ Fewer commutes save time, reduce stress, and are kinder to our planet. It's a chance to blend work and personal life in a sustainable, more enjoyable way. 📈 For businesses, this flexibility can lead to heightened productivity. Happy employees often equal better output, plus it can attract talent looking for a modern, forward-thinking workplace. 💡 At CASALI Recruitment, we understand the importance of a tailored approach—whether it's for a day's work or a career move. We've seen firsthand the positive impact hybrid working setups can have on motivation and performance. Keen to dive into the hybrid work life or find talent that thrives in this new era? Drop us a line or visit casalirecruitment.co.uk to learn more. #HybridWorking #WorkLifeBalance #modernworking

Five days at the office? That's history! 🔄🏠💼 Hybrid working is redefining 'normal' in our work lives. It's not just about comfort—it's about striking a balance that benefits everyone involved. 👥 For professionals, it means mixing structured office time with the freedom of working from home. The result? You can enjoy the best of both worlds! Team collaboration and face-to-face meetings when you need them, and heads-down focus in your home office when you don't. ✅ Fewer commutes save time, reduce stress, and are kinder to our planet. It's a chance to blend work and personal life in a sustainable, more enjoyable way. 📈 For businesses, this flexibility can lead to heightened productivity. Happy employees often equal better output, plus it can attract talent looking for a modern, forward-thinking workplace. 💡 At CASALI Recruitment, we understand the importance of a tailored approach—whether it's for a day's work or a career move. We've seen firsthand the positive impact hybrid working setups can have on motivation and performance. Keen to dive into the hybrid work life or find talent that thrives in this new era? Drop us a line or visit casalirecruitment.co.uk to learn more. #HybridWorking #WorkLifeBalance #modernworking

Happy Friday! Drink some water 💧 📈 The return to office (RTO) trend is gaining momentum! 👇🏼 According to recent data shared by Business Insider, more employees are showing up at the office, with a notable rise on Mondays and Fridays. As businesses adapt to hybrid work models, this shift highlights a growing balance between remote flexibility and in-person collaboration. But what’s driving this? Could it be the benefits of face-to-face interaction, or is it the evolving office culture that keeps people engaged? At Bevi, we understand that creating a welcoming, efficient workplace environment can make all the difference in encouraging employees to embrace their office days. Our mission is to provide sustainable, high-quality hydration solutions that add value to in-office experiences. How are you adapting to the evolving work landscape? 💼🌿 #ReturnToOffice #HybridWork #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeExperience #Sustainability #Bevi

🌍 This Week We Have Been Exploring How Hybrid Working Should Be: A Win-Win for Employers and Employees. Let’s face it, hybrid working isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about creating a system where both employees and organisations can thrive. It’s about flexibility, trust, and understanding that when done right, hybrid working should benefit everyone. However with anything there always comes challenges, hybrid working should not be a free pass for employees to abuse the system. For example, just because you've been on annual leave doesn’t mean one of your "typical office days" should automatically be reduced to just 1 day in the office that week. Similarly, hybrid working is not there for personal convenience—like working from home while managing children without proper support, or staying home because your partner has the car. These aren’t valid reasons for skipping in-office work. Hybrid working should serve both the employee and the organisation. Here’s how to make it work: Flexibility with Purpose: Employees should have the freedom to work where it makes sense for their tasks, but it should always be with a clear purpose. It’s about doing your best work—whether that’s in the office, on client site or at home. Meaningful In-Office Time: Time in the office should be used for collaboration, team-building, and opportunities that benefit from physical presence. Employer Support: Employers should create the right environment and offer tools that enable employees to succeed, regardless of where they work. Commitment to the Organisation: Hybrid working should not be a tool for avoiding responsibilities. If an organisation needs you in the office, your place of work should be the office, and you should be prepared to come in when necessary. I Will Say We Need To Focus On Results, Not Location: Let’s measure success by outcomes and impact, not just hours or physical presence. Hybrid working requires mutual respect, flexibility, and balance. It’s about finding the right rhythm that benefits both the organisation and its people, ensuring that productivity remains high and that work is always done with intention. #HybridWorking #WorkplaceFlexibility #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #FutureOfWork #ResultsOriented #NotWorkLifeBalance #JustLifeBalance

Seeing a lot of back to the office (or not) articles these days. Here are my thoughts. The Future of Work: Diversity in Workplace Models As we navigate the evolving landscape of work, it's clear that no single solution fits all. We're likely to see a diverse ecosystem of workplace models emerge: - Fully remote companies will continue to thrive, particularly in tech and knowledge-based industries. - New startups will have the flexibility to choose their preferred model from inception. - Many established firms are settling on a 3-day in-office model, balancing collaboration and flexibility. - Some organizations may opt for a 4-day in-office week with flexible Fridays, accommodating work-life balance needs. Predictions: - By 2025, we'll see a more stabilized distribution of workplace models across industries. - Companies offering flexible models will likely see lower employee turnover rates but also slightly lower productivity. - Office design will continue to evolve, emphasizing collaboration spaces and amenities to attract in-office work. - Most companies will be back to at least 3 days or 4 days in the office while employees can choose where they want to work on the other days. Ultimately, the success of any model will depend on its alignment with company culture, industry demands, and employee preferences. The key for businesses will be to remain adaptable and responsive to both market conditions and workforce needs. What are your thoughts? #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceFlexibility #HybridWork #RemoteWork #OfficeReturn #WorkLifeBalance #officeleasing #cre #commercialofficeleasing

What does "proper work" really mean? As a hybrid working company, we disagree with the notion that people achieve less when working from home. But we don't want this to turn into a battle of ideals. Instead, we'd like to share our vision of why we believe hybrid working works for us (though it might not be the case for everyone): 💜 Our team members achieve a better work-life balance, enabling them to be more relaxed and achieve high-focused work. 💜 We have a more diverse team – supporting diverse needs and working patterns shouldn't be a big no. It gives everyone the chance to organise their day in a way that works best for them. 💜 Our employee retention rates are through the roof, and even better, we've recently welcomed back two employees who "boomeranged" back to us. 💜 We meet with purpose – four times per year: two company-wide meetings and two function-specific meet ups where we reflect on what we've achieved and give each other the energy we need. 💜 We’ve implemented tools that enable collaboration, making it feel as though we're all in the same office. 💜 We care deeply about our employees' happiness and well-being, which is reflected in the way we do things here. We don't believe following trends is a sustainable approach for any business. If anything, it looks like... Instability and lack of clear vision if you change policies all the time. We'll continue on the path we've been on for some time now, and we hope to inspire you to join us! If you're interested in our hybrid working policy, check the comments for a free template. #RemoteWorking #RTO #ReturnToTheOffice #ProperWork #HybridWorking #CharlieHR #SmallBusiness

What you do is, you change the conversation to what is working together at our best like? Then work out what is the best to work away from the office? Wherever that is and what is the best way to work in our office? As we could focus on why don’t team want to be in, rather we should be thinking what will give us the best ways to work for our clients and society? After all for ICE Creates team that’s what we are all concerned with. 25 for 25 #hybrid #teamwork