Lockdown life has become the norm over the past couple of years and, with COVID cases rising again, it looks set to remain a feature of our daily lives. It’s forced every business in the world to re-assess their workplace models and the media, marketing and tech sector put the options under the microscope at last week’s MAD//Fest.

Some business leaders are re-shaping their entire approach to office culture, and even the lexicon is shifting… – in a session called Life in Lockdown – Parents under pressure, Rob Garber, MD GumGum UK, explained how even the lexicon is shifting…

Rob Garber, MD GumGum UK

“At GumGum, we don’t think anyone should be forced into an office. A full-time office culture doesn’t work for most people. 

“So, as of next year, GumGum is removing the term ‘office’ from its vernacular, and we’ll be focusing on what we’re calling a ‘Farmhouse’ format where people are encouraged to visit the office a couple of days a week; if it works for them.

“GumGum treats its team members as individuals. Each one of us has our own challenges, and these need to be understood via independent conversations to understand and cater for our employee’s needs as far as possible.

“Legislating flexibility into a culture is a challenge, and part of that is getting the right balance between what is best for employees and what is best for the organisation. In my experience, the more the pendulum swings in favour of the organisation, the more likely you are to lose staff.

“But culture is the most important thing in a business. People make a culture. Speaking with your talent is critical and making progress is important. Doing nothing is the biggest problem.”

Also published in: MediaShotz

Podcasts powered by AudioHarvest