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Post by nataliedodds on Jan 30, 2014 15:09:41 GMT -6
I found this video very interesting. I know that I could never work from home to do the simple fact that I get distracted very easily. However, I have never been one to go study at the library or PJ's. I always study and do schoolwork at my apartment. If I'm by myself, it's not bad once I get in my zone. If my roommate is there, I just go in my room. I get way too comfortable at my apartment, but I people watch when I'm somewhere else. It all depends on what is best for the individual.
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Post by Rosie on Feb 1, 2014 13:12:08 GMT -6
I do not think I would enjoy an open-plan type of work setting. I would feel extremely uncomfortable, not because I was doing something I shouldn't be, or on a personal site instead of doing work, but I would feel the pressure and anxiety the speaker was talking about. It is very uncomfortable when you feel as though you are being watched and judged every minute, especially by a manager or superior. Flexible working is becoming more and more common today. With flexible working, especially working from home, the responsibility factor increases a lot. Your work load is on your shoulders, with no one telling you when and what to do. It is very difficult to stay focused, especially while working at home because there are many distractions. Many people fall into the trap of procrastination. On the opposite spectrum, I can see how working away from the office causes people to over work as well. In order to work from home, or from a flexible workplace, you need to fully understand the pros and cons and be aware if you are personally able to work in that type of setting.
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Post by csimo123 on Feb 1, 2014 14:35:18 GMT -6
The video made me think about work in a different way. Yes, you have you traditional office, desk, computer, but to me it is so much more. I like how video put emphasis on face to face interactions. I think now a days people use email or social media to interact but i think face to face meetings are better. Now in this new age when it appropriate email and social media are great. Also the video discussed this new age of working. I think if you employees are happy then work where ever but if needed you need to report to office for meetings are for checking in.
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Post by melanconcaitlin on Feb 1, 2014 21:08:47 GMT -6
Our lives revolve around technology point-blank. We access technology at home, work, and anywhere else we may be throughout the day. Technology basically dictates everything we may do, but in order to be successful in today's business world you have to adapt and accept this fact. He mentioned in the video that flexible working environments would improve business, but I believe this would be hard to achieve. In order to have a successful company you need to have rules, stipulations, deadlines, etc. and a flexible workplace in which the employee has the say so can make things complicated. I would take his suggestions and tighten them up a little with some guidelines in which the employees must follow. Flexibility may keep employees happy, but can have a negative downturn in the success of a business.
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Post by amandayoung3231 on Feb 1, 2014 21:38:30 GMT -6
This is very interesting and I like his way of thinking. School is like this too now. It is a Saturday night and I am doing this school work right now. We were "out of school" for the week however, I feel I have done way more homework to compensate for the time we were not in the class room. We can do our school work anywhere at anytime as long as you have your laptop or phone. We do not have to meet in class to have school. This does make me feel over whelmed at times but, it is nice to be able to do your work when ever you make the time for it. You have to be a highly self-motivated person to make time to do homework and work out of the school or office setting.
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Post by racheleperes on Feb 2, 2014 11:36:35 GMT -6
By the end of the video, I was confused. He never really stated which was the correct workplace for modern day technology. While it's ideal to work from home, many of us get paranoid as to the fact that our boss may think that we are not actually working, so we end up working more instead of working flexibly. I find that if an employee works from home, they are much more relaxed and less stressed as compared to the office. However, working from home can also grey the area of leaving personal life at home and leaving work life at work. It also causes a socialization problem. When you work from home, you don't get the opportunity to socialize with your peers; instead, you sit behind a computer and beside a smartphone all day long. Also, I find that if you work from home, you never really get away from work. Your email goes off 24/7 and your first instinct is to check it as soon as you hear it go off.
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Post by meganlynch on Feb 2, 2014 13:27:11 GMT -6
I think having a flexible work schedule and working from home, or somewhere other than the office, is only applicable to some jobs. Every task cannot be done in that manner. Though employees should be entitled to freedom, I would have a lot of reservations from a management position that the work would not be being done. When it comes to creativity, it does help to get out of the office, but it also can happen by brainstorming with co-workers and getting ideas from other people. The environment should be set up to allow for creativity, being at home or in your favorite coffee shop does not necessarily mean you will all of a sudden think of great ideas. Though I can see what this video is trying to say, I think it has a few things that could be argued with.
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Post by shennellw on Feb 2, 2014 13:50:57 GMT -6
71% of employers are unhappy due to technology!? I can agree that technology has cut the interaction between people. A personal relationship cannot be developed via email. Verbal communication has almost gone away due to the technological advances we gained. But I can say that as long as you don’t lose those communication values, technology can be more of an asset than liability.
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Post by lmoore on Feb 2, 2014 18:29:37 GMT -6
Technology has gotten in the way of productivity for businesses and does not allow others to communicate face to face. Co-workers will email someone in the office instead of coming up to them and talking to them. An open-plan office will allow communication and discussion of ideas. Workers are unhappy about their work, but if they are given the best tools then they will enjoy work more. Trust is also important when it comes to work. If workers are given at least some flexibility with how they work, productivity could become better.
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Post by dnewson on Feb 2, 2014 19:22:12 GMT -6
There are many aspects of this video that I agree with, the concept of open office space with cubicles to me is not a good office design. You feel like you are in these 4 walls all day and at the end of the day you are released but only to return the next day. Technology has made it possible that you no longer have to speak to another employee even if you are located in the same office. We have become so accustomed to emailing and texting that face to face contact is not the norm. Technology is a positive for businesses but it sometimes the makes it difficult to communicate well with teammates. After Hurricane Katrina, I had an opportunity to work from home for four months, and I must admit that I did miss the interaction of being in an office setting. But I feel that the flexibility of working from home or office is a great benefit.
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Post by bmcgarry13 on Feb 2, 2014 21:06:54 GMT -6
Flexible business models extend beyond modern standards and into important corporate tools as well. They provide employees with greater freedoms, empowering them to place value and pride in their jobs. As a result, both quality and quantity of productivity have shown increases. The biggest drawback these models face is the lack of businesses wanting to support them. Most company infrastructures/workplaces are still in favor of traditional environments, such as claustrophobia inducing cubicles or paranoia inducing open spaces. Managers fail to understand how environmental stresses affect performance, customer satisfaction/retention, and overall bottom line. Furthermore, flexible business models could cut costs ranging from overhead to office/labor hours. It seems like a smart choice to me, especially with technology. Companies could guarantee communication in person or through teleconferencing.
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Post by brettstirling on Feb 3, 2014 10:21:35 GMT -6
I really love this video. I totally agree with the shift from standardization to flexible work environments, and I believe its a social trend everywhere. The constraints and boundaries of a cell like cubicle can stifle productivity and creativity. For some jobs or perhaps years ago this style of work was efficient but now communication is key. TRUST is key if companies ever want to allow their employees to create value-adding innovation or ideas. I like the predator and prey on the Savannah analogy because it's very accurate. Many people are afraid of having a different style of work and they fear their boss swooping in and catching them. This shouldn't be the concern if the employees are doing what needs to be done; in fact, it will probably done better this way. This can be equally if not more counterproductive but it's wildly the case. I have personally experienced both sides and know that productivity certainly depends on style of work which could also depends on the job or industry. Like the video says, flexible working is being mindful of the task at hand and knowing the best way and place to accomplish it. This a great video to keep in mind being a manager and entering the job world at a different perspective.
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Post by darnette on Feb 3, 2014 17:24:34 GMT -6
I liked this video. Flexible working is an ideal position for employees and managers. Always having to go to the office just to check and send emails all day isn't as desirable as being able to hang at the neighborhood cafe. You can still be as productive as if you were working from the office. The idea of it perfect however, everyone may or may not adapt to the freedom it gives of being out of the office.
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Post by chelsearickett on Feb 4, 2014 13:20:54 GMT -6
I'll start of by saying I love these types of videos! I find them so much more interesting! But anyway, I really like the idea of flexible working. Most of what I do at my internship requires a computer, which I have at home. And yet I drive all the way to Hammond to sit in an office alone, without talking to anyone. Why can't I just do this at home? Or wherever else I want? As long as I get my work done, nothing else should matter, right? I have about a dozen ways to get in touch with someone without having to speak to them face to face. We usually communicate by phone even in the office when we're sitting 3 doors away. To me, it's nonsense. Now, of course some jobs require to be AT work. I work at a restaurant on weekends. I HAVE to be there. Most of the work that has to be done is AT the restaurant. So, it really just depends on what type of job it is.
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Post by shantel on Feb 4, 2014 15:02:59 GMT -6
I really could relate to this video. I've worked from home a few times. The benefit of working from was I didn't have to be bothered with my co worker and I was able to save on travel expenses i.e. lunch and fuel. However, I didn't really overcompensate, because i wanted everyone to want to know that I was actually working. However, it was very uncomfortable for me to work at home. I don't like to mix my home life and work life. While working from I was very distracted. I really like the concept working from anywhere you feel.
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