Comments on: What's So Great About Proximity Anyway?

By: FiZ

FiZ — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:41:26 +0000

Regardless of the commute time and hassle, I have one major argument for and against working in the office. One the positive: when I’m asking someone for advice on a problem, it helps me to be face-to-face with them rather than just IMing or even talking over the phone. The personal interaction helps me a lot more. However, my company seems to stress now and then that I “get to know my team”, which I would have no problem with normally, except for the fact that I can’t personally identify with them and also, when they have a minute to chit-chat, I don’t (and vice-versa). So sure, I’d love to friendly, when I’m not swamped with deadlines that you moved up from “sometime in the future” to “next week”.

By: Marcus Solorio

Marcus Solorio — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:02:25 +0000

While human face-to-face interaction is not always required, or even desired for that matter, I feel that having my colleagues readily available, via IM, or even phone, is invaluable…thoughout the course of a work day.
Also, face-to-face interaction can be very productive, depending on the task/project.
I find that strategic sessions, or project planning, etc is dependent upon good collaboration, especially vis-a-vis, while the more technically task-oriented the work, the more solitude is preferred, in my experience.

I work in an office where everyone has cube space only, including the President of the company, so solitude is often found in using a conference room as an ad-hoc office, or sometimes at the local coffee shop ;-)

By: theWealthyCanadian

theWealthyCanadian — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:08:06 +0000

Multitasking used to be the buzzword in business. However, more and more I’m seeing research that points to multitasking being counterproductive. That it actually takes more time to shift between two tasks rather than focusing on one at a time. Furthermore, the time to switch increases as the complexity of the task increases. Even simple distractions like email and your coworker stopping to ask a question cause the switch between tasks that takes time.

This is not to say that you cannot work on two things in approximately the same time. When you hit a wall on one task, take a break or get to some of the other “to do’s” on your list (this would be a great time to check your email).

I know that I like to chat with people or be otherwise distracted at times. But not when I’m really into something and just starting to get my head around a problem.

By: roberthauk

roberthauk — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:11:58 +0000

I am used to working alone at home and I love it. When I tried out some 6 months ago to work in a design office it didn’t go well. I like being distracted when I want to (which sounds pretty dumb per definition) – but definitely not when I’m into something. Therefore I started freelancing 6 years ago and despite the fact that half of my time I work for people I never met or know (taxes etc.) I’m still satisfied.