photo by rexguo

In a year or two, all the computers in our office will splutter and shudder into obsolescence.

Quite frankly, I am a little tired of sitting next to this huge server and worrying about it losing all of our data when it starts gasping through its death throes.

What if?

I am sure things get invented because aggravated people like me start wondering about ways to improve our lives and ask, “What if?”  And me, I detest being surrounded by stupidity and poor design.  How can I make the workflow in my office Wow?

What I want less of

No paper. No big things sitting on my desk and on the floor holding stuff that can be sent cloudward.  Why do we need forms to contain the formless?  Who needs to be dusting all of that?

Our financials live in QuickBooks, our database is in Raiser’s Edge, our grant applications go through CueRate, and we communicate through email, e-newsletters, blogs and our website.  Every morning I see an average of 50 -60 emails in my inbox, 1or 2 voice mail messages.  All of this stuff lives somewhere in space.  Why can’t we access this from iPads and laptops in spaces of our choosing?

What if we got rid of this big noisy server?  Would we need to physically gather around a 9-5 schedule?

Is it possible for us, an arts service organization to:

• Work remotely, connect digitally
• Meet as needed, preferably in cool places with great food
• Produce independently
• Skype, conference call

What if we became officeless?

People need to connect.  Nothing can replace a face to face meeting in building relationships.  Gatherings  generate social capital and are crucial in creating friends, supporters, audiences, fan bases, clients, inner circles.  But working?  Especially in these times when so many institutions are sinking into obsolescence, I can’t help but wonder if the way we work is a vestige of a manufacturing mindset that has been rendered outdated and out of touch with the potential that technology offers.

Get more Wow!

If you want style notes and more for people who change the world, please check out:

Getting to Wow! to feel good, do good and look good

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Style Notes from me, your artspy

Hoong Yee

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