A workplace without limitations. A company culture that embraces change and welcomes new possibilities. A business with employees from around the globe, not bound by the limits of geography or the constraints imposed by time zones.
It’s called asynchronous work.
The pandemic brought out a workplace evolution. Essentially overnight, many companies were forced to rethink what they needed from their employees, and in turn, figure out how to manage those new expectations.
It was a monumental shift, and it’s safe to say that every business out there came up with a similar conclusion - they wanted productive employees that could meet deadlines, accomplish tasks, contribute to creativity, and carry out responsibilities no matter if they were sitting at a desk in a cubicle.
Asynchronous work accomplishes just that, according to Matt Mullenweg, founder and CEO of Automattic, where this style of work has been the norm since their 2005 founding. As stated in a Wall Street Journal article: “Too often, we say, ‘You’re accountable to be at your desk this time of the day.’ Who cares? Your customer is not buying how many hours a day people are at their desk. People don’t want a drill, they want a hole in the wall. The old model of work wasted people’s time.”
Mullenweg goes on to explain: “Asynchronous also allows people to structure their days to be more productive. Right now, with traditional offices, we force everyone to work in a lowest common denominator way. Everything —workspace, environment, schedule—is kind of a compromise, versus when people can design their own work time, their own work environment, and can tailor it to what they know about themselves to get their own personal best work done.”
Perhaps what the pandemic has proven is that there is more than one way to achieve workplace excellence. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, but more about recognizing that what we consider tradition may not be the best solution to our problems. We must evolve and find strength in change.
Asynchronous work shows that the foundation of workplace efficiency and productivity does not need to be built upon a one-size-fits-all model. Supporters of asynchronous work believe their employees are empowered (and happier) by the trust placed in them. They reap the benefits that come from allowing for flexibility, adapting communication styles, and learning to balance a different type of workflow that involves hybrid work policies.
At Janou, we seek out candidate’s with incredible talent that can offer outstanding value, expert knowledge, and impeccable skills, no matter the workplace setting. Furthermore, we look for individuals that have the competence and wherewithal to transform the old to new. They must be able overcome obstacles and create solutions amidst difficulties.
In the end, what does asynchronous work mean for you and for me? It might require a complete metamorphosis for some, while others are ready to embrace all the future has to offer. If you feel tied down by the standards of your industry, maybe that’s your sign it is time for a transformation.