Back in an office

I have alway been one for working from wherever you can, indeed I was promoting hybrid working long before it became fashionable (see my books if you are not convinced). My mantra has long been that you should work where you can add the most value. Sometimes that is in amongst your team and sometimes in among your customers. There is also work that can be done anywhere and, guess what, that can be done anywhere (power and connectivity permitting).

I’m happy to move about then but this doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate having somewhere to go. CyberNorth has been fortunate enough to grab some space for the next eight months, on floor 5 of a building at the bottom of Grainger Street in Newcastle. The location couldn’t be better for me as it is a five minute walk from the station and a similar walk to both the Lit and Phil as well as a host of nice places to eat. It also has some interesting views out of the window.

Some of the team are using it quite a bit and I go there on a Thursday when it makes sense. It’s great to be able to work with my colleagues and develop better relationships. Remote working is fine but face to face is best for building rapport. It’s also an opportunity to ask those questions that you never get around to and I can tick off a fair few things from my ‘to do’ spreadsheet. 

All of these things fall within my definition of work yet one thing is obvious, I find it almost impossible to do anything other than talk when we are together. In a way that is a good thing in that we are making the most of the time we have together. It does, however, put the kibosh on my thinking that there is work you can do anywhere. It now seems that there is work I can’t do when amongst my team. There is some stuff that you need peace and quiet for and this goes back to my mantra that I should work where I can add the most value.

I’m looking forward to Thursday!