EP 17: Remote vs. Hybrid vs. In-Office — The Great Debate!

EP 17: Remote vs. Hybrid vs. In-Office — The Great Debate!

It's time to prep for BFCM! Head to https://www.ASOMpod.com to subscribe and get your Must-Have DTC Black Friday & Cyber Monday Prep Checklist!

Join the ASOM pod community at https://www.creatorscombine.com - Mastermind with likeminded Agency owners, SaaS founders, brand Operators, and Marketers.

Thank you to Gorgias for sponsoring the pod. The #1 eCommerce Customer Experience platform designed to give brands the tools to create amazing customer experiences to grow your online store. Learn more at https://www.gorgias.com.

Thank you to Recharge for sponsoring the pod. Trusted by over 20,000 brands, Recharge is the #1 platform for your eCommerce subscription needs. Learn more at http://recharge.asompod.com/

Get ready for a spicy discussion on one of the biggest workplace debates of our time: remote, hybrid, or in-office—where do you stand?

In this episode of The ASOM Pod, Jimmy Kim (CIO and Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO and Co-Founder of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO & Co-Founder of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride) dives into the ongoing tug-of-war between remote work and office life, breaking down key issues like productivity, leadership challenges, and how it all impacts employee well-being. From Dell’s surprising move to bring people back to the office for promotions to Salesforce’s push for mandatory office time, the team doesn’t hold back in unpacking how these policies are reshaping companies across the board.

From the rise of hybrid work setups to navigating the wild world of global outsourcing, this episode covers the real challenges of keeping company culture alive and employees engaged in a remote-first era. And, of course, the hosts dish out their own personal war stories from managing remote teams, giving you a sneak peek into what the future of work might look like.

Join the ASOM Pod squad as they:
- Break down how remote work is shaking up employee retention, productivity, and the overall company vibe.
- Unpack Dell and Salesforce’s office return policies—are they innovative or just outdated?
- Debate whether hybrid models are the perfect blend of flexibility and structure, or a headache waiting to happen.
- Share actionable strategies for keeping remote teams not just surviving, but thriving.
- Explore the tricky world of global outsourcing, talent acquisition, and the future of remote hiring across borders.
- Discuss the role of technology in bridging the gap between remote and in-office teams—what tools are game-changers?

Whether you're leading a remote squad, navigating a hybrid work setup, or just trying to stay sane juggling it all, this episode is packed with hot takes and expert insights. Trust us—you won’t want to miss this one!

00:00 Teaser Trailer
01:50 Intro to The ASOM Pod
03:40 Remote Work Trends and CEO Quotes
06:42 Management and Leadership in Remote Work
07:43 Hybrid Work Models and Team Dynamics
17:33 Tracking Performance in Remote Teams
24:54 Communication and Collaboration Challenges
28:25 Employee Well-being and Company Culture
29:30 The Cost of Remote Work
29:50 Employee Retention Trends
30:39 Work-Life Balance Strategies
32:04 Challenges of Remote Work
33:22 The Need for Oversight
38:28 Creating a Positive Work Culture
40:35 Talent Acquisition and Retention
42:37 Technology, Infrastructure, and Costs
47:57 The Future of Work
53:52 Upcoming Topics