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The justification I hear for ignoring the data against open offices is: "Every other unicorn has an office like this and they get work done so why can't we"?
by easymovet 8y ago
The justification I hear for ignoring the data against open offices is: "Every other unicorn has an office like this and they get work done so why can't we"?
- mandelbrotwurst 8y agoIn a place like SF where office space is as expensive as it is, I wouldn't be shocked if the savings in rent from this kind of floor plan outweigh any productivity losses and I'd bet that is a primary reason why there are so many open offices. Edit: That said, that one definitely doesn't look like the most efficient use of space.
- mmt 8y agoThat seems unlikely. I think they're in Boston, but, even in New York, which, for office space is even more expensive than SF, the excuse that square footage is too expensive seems shaky, especially since it's been trotted out routinely over the past 3 decades. This blog post shows a credible calculation, even assuming remarkably low salaries (and a fairly credible $5/sqft): https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/hr/2016/open-office-plans-are-a-lot-less-cost-effective-than-you-may-think https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/hr/2016/... The real key, though, is at the end: > the calculation above doesn't count the cost of setting up the offices For an early startup, that cost, both in dollars and, perhaps most importantly time (move-in delay), could easily be prohibitive. Of course, once the company is past the early stage, it may just be habit or cargo cult.
- deathanatos 8y ago> In a place like SF where office space is as expensive as it is You could always move. I for one would love more non-SF companies; it'd open up more options and opportunities to get off the sinking ship that is SF.
- mandelbrotwurst 8y agoI would also love to see that, for a number of reasons.