It might not be obvious when you look out of the window, but it is officially the summer holidays. That time of year when we switch off and turn on our out-of-offices. Or do we?
I’m a big fan of an out-of-office. Not only because it is a chance to show off that you’ve jetted off somewhere lovely – and I love a good show-off – but also because it is a simple yet perfect way to filter what is important and what is not. It is a perfect opportunity to say: “Hey, I’m not here. This person will be able to help you if it is urgent, or let’s just take a moment and chat about it later. Maybe. If we really need to.”
But we are increasingly putting on our out-of-offices and still picking up our e-mails and texts and phone calls regardless. Does anyone really take a holiday any more?
The rise in the use of mobile technology means that the office is rarely further away than our pocket. More than two-thirds of UK adults now own a smartphone, according to Ofcom’s 2015 Communications Market Report. We are using our phones’ online capabilities for more than two hours a day and our use of them starts early – one in three adults will turn over and check their phone within five minutes of waking up. Five minutes!
Is that healthy? As a magazine that fails to take a summer holiday, publishing every week throughout August, I should say: “Yes! Pick up your phone, call us back, e-mail, gossip, confirm. We need the stories so please don’t disconnect from this wonderful world of real estate for a week.”
But disconnecting and achieving that Holy Grail of work/life balance is vital, so it was refreshing to hear the chief executive of one very busy developer and housebuilder place so much importance on switching off.
In this month’s Real Talk with James Max we speak to Killian Hurley of Mount Anvil. Hurley is a great believer in working hard but also making sure he and his staff have time to enjoy life.
Of all the things that bug him, it is the 24/7 nature of business today that annoys him the most. At Mount Anvil, the working week is five days, not seven. E-mails are discouraged at the weekend and after 7.30pm.
“We are getting to the stage where use is 24/7. It is relentless and is not sustainable,” says Hurley. “We need to take more responsibility. Business leaders need to set the example and say ‘turn the phone off’. We don’t need to do e-mails at midnight and why does everyone need to be copied in on every blessed e-mail?”
Amen to that.
Tune in and have a listen to this Real Talk and more at www.estatesgazette.libsyn.com
• However, if you are in the mood to work rather than take a break, Estates Gazette needs your help.
We have teamed up with Mishcon de Reya and JLL to compile a list of the top 50 collaborators and collaborations in the built environment.
Collaborations can be anything from two people working together to two billion. It can be two companies merging, councils coming together to form super-councils and powerhouses, the coming together of art and design to deliver a collaborative building, it can be the use of technology to create more collaborative workspaces. Anything goes.
We will be compiling the list over the coming month and would love for you to put your ideas and nominations forward.
Get involved with us on Twitter using the hashtag #thecollaborators or e-mail me at samantha.mcclary@estatesgazette.com. The final list and a glittering gong for the top ranked collaborator will be revealed at MIPIM UK in October.
