Virgin founder and chairman Sir Richard Branson says on his blog that he believes working in offices will soon be a thing of the past.
Branson's Virgin Group encompasses more than 400 companies worldwide and originally included Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Megastores (yes, they still exist) and the Virgin Records music label.
The magnate's blog posting is in part a direct response (and not the first) to Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer's mandate made in late February that company employees no longer work remotely. Many believe her edict (which message included an image of a smiling Olivia Newton-John suggesting Yahoo! employees "get physical") oversteps the bounds of what a CEO should demand of his/her underlings.
Clearly, Branson's blog posting on Monday, March 4 shows he is among the dissenters to Mayer's management style.
Also referring to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's own discontent with the model of remote work ( Bloomberg said working from home was "'one of the dumber ideas I've ever heard"), Branson posts that though he "rarely disagree[s] with anything [Bloomberg] has ever said or done," on this occasion, Branson does "disagree completely" with the man for whom he has "enormous respect."
It should be noted that Bloomberg is the founder and central owner of a multinational media group of his own, Bloomberg LP. The company is no slouch, having in 2009 made up one-third of the $16 billion global financial market, according to The New York Times.
"He [Bloomberg] has always worked out of an office and it has worked extremely well for him. I have always worked from home so I CAN spend more time with my family," writes Branson. "Both approaches have been effective for us and the organisations we lead."
Branson continues in his blog post that he has a similar affection for Yahoo!'s Mayer, referring to her as "extremely talented." However, Branson does opine that "in today's world I do not think it is effective or productive to force your employees one way or another. Choice empowers people and makes for a more content workforce."
Branson then ends his statement on the state of remote working by predicting that in 30 years' time, "people are going to look back and wonder why offices ever existed."
What do you think about remote working? Hit up Branson's blog because, according to his blog, he would love to hear from you.
Like what you're reading? Follow @profklickberg.
(Edited by Lois Heyman)
