Work From Home? Think About the Business Model - DBR 041

What we all agree on

• Remote work is certainly a thing that is possible.
• Well, of course, some people say, you know, I miss the office. I miss the chitchat. I see that. I think we need community.
• Work from Home is more convenient, for you.

• Business model = how we are going to do this – it's very complex
• The owner owns the business model, not you
• The paint example
• But the painting is part of the business model, thus owned by the business owner
• The tacit agreement with employees – I'll make you valuable
• Of course, there are good and bad business owners
• In a knowledge work business, all the owner owns is the model – no longer the productive resources
• But the business owner always owns the business model

• Contrasting model – you like counting money and you're good at it Bank teller employee – the bank (business model) defines the value of the contribution
• Monopoly example
• Aside on the Lego business
• So, you have the option to go out and define your own value Or, you can let someone else define your value, i.e. be an employee in someone else's business model
• So, here's your freedom – accept the business model and the definition, or decline it

• As an employee, you don't define your own value
• As the EMPLOYEE, you don't own the business model – that's the agreement
• Employee - I'll contribute this effort, and you, Mr. Business Model owner, will put it together with other things such that it has a certain amount of value.
• That's the model, the agreement

• What does this have to do with WFH? That's the business model
• You may have the privilege of discussing the business model with its owner
• We're arguing about our contribution, that's a hypothesis, but you don't get to assert it
• That's the trade-off you make to become an employee – accept someone else's definition of your value and the circumstances under which you deliver it
• But that's the trade-off, otherwise take your chances with the market

• It's easy for employees to lose sight of that fact – the business model serves us
• There's a limit to how much employees get to modify the business model So the boss (through the business model) gets to define the context of your work
• Trying to cast a different light on the problem
• Most arguments from employees wind up being about convenience
• But the question that needs asking is "does the business model fit this (WFH) idea"

• Congratulations, your boss trusts you to maintain your productivity
• There are other kinds of challenges to your attention – mostly distractions
• "the best get better, the bad get worse" under WFH
• If you want to be the best, two things:
• I have an episode you might want to listen to #17 on Managing Oneself
• Or, you might know that you want some help with all of this – send me an email [email protected]