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It's odd they're pushing "more" productive. Wouldn't a similarly compelling argument that'd be easier to prove be "as" productive, but you'd save $XXXk on overh

It's odd they're pushing "more" productive. Wouldn't a similarly compelling argument that'd be easier to prove be "as" productive, but you'd save $XXXk on overheads per year?

CPLX 7y ago
Productivity is the measure of economic output per unit of economic input.
- wastedhours 7y ago
  But it's not an especially compelling framing of the point though. To influence decision makers then tapping into a loss aversion mindset with a tangible dollar figure attached seems much more likely to work than the more nebulous (and much harder to prove on an employee by employee basis) "productivity" metric.
  - ghaff 7y ago
    I’d question how much cost savings there is. Maybe in the highest cost areas. But, leaving aside the implications of hiring people in lower cost areas and paying them less, it wouldn’t surprise me if additional travel costs for team meetings etc. balanced out the cost of a desk. A fair number of remote workers also get their companies to pay for coworking spaces.
    - wastedhours 7y ago
      Personal anecdata, but I've expensed only £120 in train travel in the last 2 years, and my employer doesn't pay for/subsidise coworking. Obviously it'll depend on company policy, but my benefits expectations with my current employer are minuscule to start with, so don't need any additional sweeteners over and above agile working to balance out.
      - ghaff 7y ago
        It’s fairly common and probably a good practice for distributed teams to get together F2F a couple of times a year. The broader team I’m on does this. We’re spread around NA and Europe mostly with a combination of WFH, offices, and hybrids.
- redleader9345 7y ago
  If someone has figured out how to measure developer productivity, they're positioned to win a Nobel prize or something. I have yet to see it done. That's why butts in seats is the de facto measurement.

It's odd they're pushing "more" productive. Wouldn't a similarly compelling argument that'd be easier to prove be "as" productive, but you'd save $XXXk on overheads per year?

CPLX 7y ago

Productivity is the measure of economic output per unit of economic input.

wastedhours 7y ago
But it's not an especially compelling framing of the point though. To influence decision makers then tapping into a loss aversion mindset with a tangible dollar figure attached seems much more likely to work than the more nebulous (and much harder to prove on an employee by employee basis) "productivity" metric.
- ghaff 7y ago
  I’d question how much cost savings there is. Maybe in the highest cost areas. But, leaving aside the implications of hiring people in lower cost areas and paying them less, it wouldn’t surprise me if additional travel costs for team meetings etc. balanced out the cost of a desk. A fair number of remote workers also get their companies to pay for coworking spaces.
  - wastedhours 7y ago
    Personal anecdata, but I've expensed only £120 in train travel in the last 2 years, and my employer doesn't pay for/subsidise coworking. Obviously it'll depend on company policy, but my benefits expectations with my current employer are minuscule to start with, so don't need any additional sweeteners over and above agile working to balance out.
    - ghaff 7y ago
      It’s fairly common and probably a good practice for distributed teams to get together F2F a couple of times a year. The broader team I’m on does this. We’re spread around NA and Europe mostly with a combination of WFH, offices, and hybrids.
redleader9345 7y ago
If someone has figured out how to measure developer productivity, they're positioned to win a Nobel prize or something. I have yet to see it done. That's why butts in seats is the de facto measurement.