Joshua Feinberg and Emil Sayegh discuss the importance of physical presence in the digital infrastructure sector, particularly in data centers.
Emil highlights the fairness issue of having some employees work on-site 24/7 while others can work remotely, emphasizing the need for a uniform company culture.
He notes the pandemic's impact on operations and the necessity for technicians to be physically present.
Emil also stresses the value of in-person tours for clients to experience data centers' high-tech, sophisticated nature.
They agree that balancing remote work and company needs is necessary, suggesting a compromise to meet both company and employee requirements.
This video is excerpted from the podcast Ep. #62 Emil Sayegh, Serial Tech and Data Center CEO of Profit Growth Insights | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast.
Action Items
- Monitor industry trends, such as Amazon's recent mandate for 5 days per week in-office, and how that may impact the company's remote work policies.
- Evaluate the fairness and company culture implications of having a mix of remote and in-person roles.
- Explore ways to maintain a uniform company culture across all teams, including data center operators.
- Consider compromises and a "happy medium" approach to address the company's and employees' needs regarding remote work.
Outline
Importance of Physical Presence in Data Centers
- Joshua Feinberg emphasizes the significance of physical presence in digital infrastructure, noting that many top companies have "Realty" in their names.
- He raises the issue of conducting tours of data centers if one is not physically present, highlighting the challenge for sales roles.
- Emil Sayegh agrees, pointing out the necessity for data center technicians to be on-site 24/7, even during the pandemic, to maintain operations.
- Emil discusses the fairness issue of having some employees work remotely while others must be physically present, stressing the need for a uniform company culture.
Fairness and Company Culture
- Emil highlights the fairness issue of having some employees work remotely while others must be on-site, emphasizing the need for a uniform company culture.
- He mentions maintaining a consistent culture across different teams, including marketing, sales, development, and data center operators.
- Emil describes the awe-inspiring experience of walking customers through a data center, noting the advanced technology and precision engineering involved.
- Joshua acknowledges the pre-pandemic challenges of avoiding an "us versus them" mentality with remote work and notes the ongoing talent wars.
Balancing Remote Work and Company Needs
- Emil suggests that companies should be open-minded and willing to compromise to find a happy medium between remote work and company needs.
- He mentions Amazon's mandate of five days a week in the office as a potential industry trend.
- Emil emphasizes the importance of meeting the company's and employees' needs, maintaining a pragmatic approach to find a balance.
- Joshua agrees, noting that the benefits of remote work and the need for physical presence will likely lead to a middle ground in the next few years.
Resources
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