The Future Of Work

Oxide and Friends · 8 Mar 2022 · 1h 57m · Episode 7

What this episode covers

Bryan Cantrill and Adam Leventhal of Oxide Computer Company host a discussion on remote work, joined by Lucas Ives from Apple and Matt Campbell from VMware. They analyze the shift from office-centric models to hybrid and fully remote arrangements, highlighting how tools like Google Meet, Webex, and Microsoft Teams have evolved to support asynchronous communication and recorded meetings. The group debates the value of in-person 'pilgrimages' for team bonding against the benefits of remote flexibility, noting that while large tech companies like Apple and Google are mandating return-to-office policies, many employees prefer the autonomy and reduced commute of remote work. Key decisions discussed include Oxide's strategy of recording all meetings to create an searchable knowledge base and their commitment to periodic in-person gatherings despite the costs.

Mentioned

Companies
Oxide Computer Company, Apple, Google, Meta, VMware, Microsoft, Nokia, SGI, HPE, Joyant
Products
Siri
Tools
Webex, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, GitHub, Twitter Spaces

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 40m

    Creating a Better World of Work

    Julie Jeannotte (JJ), Senior Researcher at OfficeVibe, discusses the evolution of employee engagement and the impact of remote work on the labor market. She explains how OfficeVibe’s pulse surveys, one-on-ones, and recognition tools help leaders detect issues early and foster human connection. Jeannotte highlights key trends like the 'Great Resignation,' the craving for personal growth, and the need for flexibility, advising leaders to conduct stay interviews and remain authentic to their company values.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 56m

    How Hybrid Work Impacts Company Culture with Blentech CEO Dan Voit

    Dan Voit, CEO of Blentech, a Bay Area food technology company, explains how his firm navigated the pandemic by accelerating three key initiatives: implementing a unified Salesforce-based PLM (Propel) and ERP (Rootstock) system, expanding its Cooker Cloud IoT platform for remote commissioning, and formalizing a hybrid work model. Voit details how these technologies enabled Blentech to maintain supply chain resilience, reduce lead times, and support global equipment startups during travel restrictions. He emphasizes that successful remote work requires deliberate relationship building, habit formation, and distinguishing between tasks suited for asynchronous work versus those requiring in-person collaboration.

  • How I Built This · 34m

    HIBT Lab! Google: Sundar Pichai

    Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, reflects on his journey from a semiconductor-focused engineering student in India to leading one of the world's most valuable companies. He discusses the evolution of Google's product portfolio, including Chrome and Drive, and details the company's strategic pivot to an 'AI-first' approach across its ecosystem. Pichai also addresses the future of work, emphasizing flexible hybrid models, and explains how Google fosters innovation by rewarding effort and ambition over guaranteed outcomes.

  • Built 2 Scale · 1h 01m

    Live for Your Drive

    Hosts Matt Perrott and Scott Wilcox discuss the economic shift from 'token maxing' to LLM routing as open-source models like Kimi close the gap on frontier labs. They explore the emerging HR challenges of employee token spend, the mobile nature of voice-based AI work, and BuildPass's upcoming Apple Watch integration for site defect walks. The episode also covers a 45-minute hackathon that produced 'Tinder for Talent' and the future of AI glasses in construction.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 09m

    Conference Room Innovation

    Dave Jones of EEVblog and Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics discuss the complexities of residential solar and battery storage, including specific quotes from Tesla and Enphase, and the challenges of integrating systems. They then analyze the recent wave of tech layoffs, sharing personal experiences from companies like Altium and Keithley, and debate the future of remote work and the 'conference room problem.' Finally, they explore niche PCB design techniques, such as embedding heating elements and cooling channels, and discuss Apple's shift toward in-house silicon design.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Oxide and Friends. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.