‘Can we reallocate the window desks to those who come in the most?’

Messages from the archive of Rutherford Hall, critical communications strategist

From: rutherford@monkwellstrategy

To: Rutherford 

The Monkwell minute: The Great Resignation

How businesses adapt to new working patterns is one of the challenges of the moment. It will help define their external profile and ability to attract the best people. There are wins here for firms that listen to their staff and communicate well. But there’s a line to tread. Undershoot and you create an analogue image of your company; overshoot and you dilute your cohesive social capital.

At Monkwell we are embracing the change. Like you, we are in a global war for talent and the office is only one field of battle. Today’s brightest stars have no time for presenteeism (though we will always be there for you). As part of our new approach, we are developing what we call the Monkwell Method, on which, more to come. Please share your own ideas and watch this space.

Best,

Rutherford 

Find me on Strava: King of the Mountain; Sydenham Hill. PR: Horniman Loop 11m 52s

Stephen — I know you are right, but bloody hell! When we created Monkwell we invested in a beautiful office especially convenient for your London pad. We bought armchairs and juicers and bean-to-cup coffee machines to make it a place of creativity where smart people bounced ideas off each other. Must we lose the dream because some people don’t like the commute? And are you seriously holding up David as proof of this problem? As far as I’m concerned his departure really would be a great resignation.

I’ll try not to be churlish. But if we are going to do this, can we reallocate the window desks to those who come in the most? I see McKinsey are talking about micromobility ecosystems or, as we used to call them, bikes. Worth a look?

Yours, nailing the Wordle in 2

From: rutherford@monkwellstrategy

To: all@monkwell

As you know, we have been thinking hard about the changing world of work. Hybrid and flexible working are here to stay and we want to hear your thoughts on how to make Monkwell the best place to work.

But we also know we are better and work is more fun when we bounce off each other. So we are turning Monkwell Square into an ideas and execution hub. We will still need you here sometimes but what matters is the quality of our work, not where it is done. The Monday meeting will still be in person. It is when we catch up and cross-pollinate ideas. You also won’t want to miss Wagu beef Wednesdays (or the gourmet Jackfruit alternative) or the Thursday guest session which often sparks new leads.

We know how hard you all work and we are not interested in presenteeism, which is why we are only asking you to be present three days a week.

We hear you on the commute so we have upped our contribution to the bike scheme, so you can invest in an e-bike (even if they are for wimps). We are also investing in a micromobility ecosystem. You will see it to the left of the front door — it looks a lot like a bike rack.

Ready Player One: From June, we will be holding our Friday strategy meeting in the metaverse. You’ll all receive Oculus headsets. Do keep your avatars work appropriate, this isn’t a branch of Hollister. :). So see you at our Meta-meeting room. It’s the one with a view of Victoria Falls and pangolins and a Pinarello.

Best,

Rutherford

Find me on Strava: King of the Mountain; Sydenham Hill. PR: Horniman Loop 11m 52s

From: rutherford@monkwellstrategy

To: Rutherford 

Monkwell Minute: The Great Resignation, part 2  

Thanks for your valuable feedback. This is clearly an issue we are all grappling with. One takeaway is that hybrid working has to mean using office time to do the things you can’t achieve at home. Smart companies will use the time to instil the culture and build social capital. And you have to mean it — no meetings at 5.30pm on a Friday. As we used to say at Downing Street, if we need to check your hours you’ve already checked out.

As part of the Monkwell Method we have been listening to our young talent. We are scheduling meetings in the Metaverse and we’ve invested in a state of the art micromobility system.  

Let’s keep this conversation going. We want to be a clearinghouse for new ideas. We’ll post them at our office in the Metaverse. Or I could share a google doc if people prefer.

Best,

Rutherford

Find me on Strava: King of the Mountain; Sydenham Hill. PR: Horniman Loop 11m 52s

Stephen — OK, I’ll back off on the window desks. It was just a bit of nudge theory. But let’s collate the data on people swiping in. And can we do something about the headsets. They are bloody uncomfortable and I look like I’ve gone six rounds with Tyson Fury when I take them off. And why is Nick Clegg always there when we put them on?

Messages recovered by Robert Shrimsley