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Episode 82: Office Space vs Working Remotely

The EcomCrew Ecommerce Podcast · with Dave Bryant · August 17, 2017 · 32 min

Summary

This episode debates the pros and cons of maintaining a physical office versus operating a fully remote team, especially relevant for ecommerce businesses. It offers perspectives on overhead costs, professionalism, flexibility, and the impact on hiring and warehouse needs. Ecommerce operators can gain insights into structuring their teams and operations to optimize for efficiency and growth.

Key takeaways

Themes

finance & fundraisingfounder & leadershipsupply chain & operations

Topics covered

remote work vs officeoverhead cost reductionwarehouse space considerationscoworking spaceshiring and remote teamsbusiness scalability

Episode description

Dave joins me today for a debate. Is it better to have an office space for your company or not? We have slightly different views on this subject. I personally like the professionalism of an office space and warehouse. Dave likes the freedom of working remotely and outsourcing. We compare our reasons for why we have our preferences and give our listeners some pros and cons of both business styles. There is nothing wrong with either business approach. We simply want to explore our personal work styles, so that maybe you can decide which one best fits your situation. Here are some points from our conversation: Dave's upcoming move to Asia. Why Dave has decided to work from home. Why I prefer having my staff in an office setting. Dave's office space blunder. Why a company should avoid overhead whenever possible. The benefits of renting a co-working space. How Treadmill.com pushed me into finding warehouse space. The problems of running a brick and mortar location. Should you hire an employee first, or rent an office first? How modern business culture has changed. <span st

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Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about finance & fundraising?
Consider the stage of your business when deciding on office space; early-stage businesses might benefit from minimizing overhead with remote work or co-working spaces.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Evaluate how a physical office or remote setup impacts your ability to attract and retain talent, especially for specialized roles.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Factor in warehousing and fulfillment needs when considering physical space vs. remote operations, as these can drive the necessity for a physical location.
What does this episode say about finance & fundraising?
Don't prematurely commit to a physical office space; assess your company's actual needs and growth trajectory to avoid unnecessary overhead.
What does this episode say about finance & fundraising?
Explore co-working spaces as a flexible alternative that offers some benefits of an office without the full commitment and cost.

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