Resisting the Return: Executives Ditch the Copier for the Comfort of Remote Work

Executives to Corporate: You Can Take Our Office, But You Can't Take Our Pajamas

Executive Bullet Points:

1. Top-tier executives are leading the resistance to the five-day office week, with many willing to trade more than 20% of their compensation for the flexibility of remote work.
2. Despite the push for a return to the office, data shows that office attendance is still below pre-pandemic levels, with employees spending less time in the office than before.
3. Companies are exploring creative solutions to encourage in-person work, including relocating offices to more enticing locations and offering flexible work-from-anywhere policies.

Greg's Words

The battle goes back and forth - but the lines are beginning to solidify.  Employees want to work from anywhere - as the fear of Covid revealed.

But today it seems even the C-Suite sees the value of working from anywhere(#WFA).  No surprises there, but what is remarkable is that the #WFA movement has forces aligned with the most demographic.

Who still resists?  Commercial property management companies, commercial real estate organizations, firms heavily invested in commercial real estate(banks), peripheral businesses,(coffee shops, taxis, tow trucks, food trucks), and mayors(no tax base).

In the end, it just doesn't matter.  The #WFA movement would prevail on lessons learned during the Covid fear alone - but there is more.  Enter artificial intelligence.  Today, AI is allowing two employees to do the work of ten.  AI can be accessed from any connected point on the planet.

The office-work environment has dissolved.

How is the alignment between executive and employee going to impact the resistance to #WFA?

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From Robotic Triumphs to Backyard Copiers: The Office Tech Tap

In the latest edition of 'The Office Tech Tap', we delve into transformative strategies, current industry happenings, and emerging trends that shape the tech industry. Our focal point is Xerox's groundbreaking approach to integrating robotics into their daily operations, a tactic that has improved their receivables by over 30% and refined supply chain accuracy. This in-house triumph turned into a client success story is a model for all copier dealers.

In a climate of uncertainty, we shed light on the implications of Ninestar's import ban on the copier industry. The effect this ban has on industry professionals and how it might influence domestic retailers and offshore providers is a critical aspect of our analysis.

As remote working gains momentum, we explore the rise of backyard offices. These personalized workspaces, designed to offer a perfect blend of convenience and work-life balance, are revolutionizing the home office concept. We question the potential this trend holds for industry growth.

Lastly, we touch upon the intriguing subject of rage rooms and the cathartic destruction of printers. This unique leisure trend, while on a lighter note, raises questions about our relationship with office technology.

Get the latest insights on office technology trends, industry news, and thought leadership at The Office Tech Tap. 

Stay informed, stay ahead.

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Unlocking Value: Overcoming the Tragedy of the Uncommon in America's Private Beaches and Wealthy Neighborhoods

If a beach falls on private property, and no one is around to sunbathe, does it really make a splash?

Dror Poleg pens a great essay on a contrarian few of the Tragedy of the Commons, dipping into artificial intelligence and a sun-drenched beach.

Enjoy!

1. Dror Poleg introduces the concept of the "tragedy of the uncommon," which contrasts with the well-known "tragedy of the commons," highlighting how restricted use of a resource can lead to its underutilization and a sub-optimal outcome.
2. Using Long Island's private beaches as an example, Poleg shows how exclusivity can be unattractive and limit the potential value of a location due to lack of amenities, restaurants, and poor integration with transportation systems.
3. He contrasts this with Israel's public beaches, which, despite being accessible to everyone, offer a vibrant atmosphere, great food, and better connectivity, supported by a variety of businesses that increase overall wealth.
4. The phenomenon extends beyond physical resources to intellectual property. For instance, in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), there's a contrast between proprietary and open-source approaches, with the latter fostering more experimentation and integration with other services.
5. Poleg concludes that under-utilization should be as concerning as over-utilization. He advocates for a balance between public and private access, embracing openness, and questioning the status quo to realize the full potential of resources, which can lead to greater societal benefit and prosperity.

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I Lost a Client Today: It Was My Fault & Responsibility

I've teased in the past saying, "...one way to prove your content is human-generated, not AI-generated is to keep the spelling errors." After all, To error is Human.

Unfortunately, for me and more importantly, my ex-client, I took that notion beyond acceptable boundaries.

I accept mistakes - those I commit and mistakes made by others that impact me.  Indeed, over the years, I have shifted from pressurizing myself over this premiere human characteristic.

But this situation was absurd and canceling the project was deserved.  At every turn, in every meeting, collaboration, communication, email, document, video, practice session, and IM, I made a cluster of mistakes.  Misspellings, my inability to understand the client's wishes, schedule/calendar miscues, and during one video recording, I fumbled pronouncing the client's name.

Cluster4uc.

Navigating the maelstrom of modern work – one coffee break at a time

The year is 2023 and we're in the throes of a work revolution. Forget the Spanish Inquisition - nobody expects the Coffee Break Inquisition. According to Slack's State of Work report, we're in a massive fight over the soul of productivity, and it seems the battleground is your coffee break.

"....where does that leave the copier industry? The question isn't new, but the answer must be: How do we adapt to the new way of work, advise clients accordingly, and create sustainable revenue models that aren't entirely dependent on copiers?"

Who'd have thought that little office respite would become the symbol of a deeper conflict over the meaning of productivity? Forget buzzwords. We're staring down the barrel of a "productivity paradox". Here's the rub: many workers are associating "productivity" with backbreaking workloads and stress. It's all about proving you're working hard, not smart.

AI: History's Newest 'Threat' and Our Inevitable Evolution

Embrace the inevitable evolution of technology with our guide to navigating the AI revolution

Anticipate These Emerging Concepts:

"AI Alarmist"

"AI Skeptic"

"AI: The New Climate Crisis"

"AI's Devastating Impact on Commercial Real Estate"

"AI Isn't Art"

"Preserving Jobs Requires Halting AI"

"AI Threatens Our Humanity"

From floppy disks to carbon paper, typewriters to horses, loom to iceboxes, silent movies to photographs, candles to newspapers, printers to scribes, cave paintings, and all the way back to the invention of the wheel and the discovery of fire...

💻 Selling MPS | The Hybrid Office | American Business | Hack On, AI💻

From Paper Jams to Power Moves: Unleashing the Magic of Managed Print Services

Managed print services (MPS) is alive and well. Actually, unbelievably well. We’ve talked about this before, and the wave continues. While dealers and manufacturers report a reduction in page volumes, an increase in MPS contracts highlights an area that dealers should be leaning into.

Despite its limited name, MPS is about more than just print. It isn’t just about cartridges or even cyber security, but it IS about supplies, purchasing, keeping data under lock and key, and even leasing. What’s more, with the move back to an office, cost reductions and increasing efficiencies hold a more prominent position.