Why Dinosaurs Like Lord Rose Need to Evolve
Chris Torres
Marketing Expert for Tours, Activities, Destination & Travel | Author | Coach | Brand Development Expert | Public Speaker
After hearing Lord Rose, former boss of Marks & Spencer and Asda, dismiss working from home as “not proper work”—and reading the recent BBC article of others who disagree—I felt compelled to share my own thoughts. Especially since my business, Tourism Marketing Agency (TMA), has been fully remote for years now.
Spoiler alert: It’s the best decision we never made.
When the pandemic hit, we were literally days away from moving into a new office. Instead, we lost the deposit and had to pivot hard. Tourism was one of the worst-hit industries, but furloughing wasn’t an option for us—it would’ve meant shutting TMA down altogether. So, we scrapped the office idea, reduced costs, and made a bold choice: work remotely, keep our clients afloat, and hope for the best.
Fast-forward four years, and here’s what happened:
The truth is, going remote opened doors we didn’t even know were closed. And some of those doors led to amazing people who joined TMA from other agencies because we embraced remote work. The forced pivot to remote has been a positive move.?
Here’s the kicker: in nearly 18 years of running this business, we’ve never been as productive as we are today. Why? Because remote work isn’t about clocking in and out or declaring loo breaks. It’s about trust. I tell my team:
领英推荐
“I don’t care if it takes you 10 minutes or 10 hours. As long as deadlines are met, the work is exceptional, and clients are happy, we’re golden.”
Compare that to an office culture where you spend hours commuting, clock-watching, and feeling like a number. All that time wasted that could be spent helping a customer. Which one sounds more productive to you?
Look, I get that remote work isn’t feasible for everyone—nurses, dentists, retail staff, etc. But for businesses that can make it work? Dismissing it as “not proper work” is just lazy thinking. If you’ve got unproductive staff, remote or otherwise, it’s not remote work that’s the problem—it’s your hiring and management!
Dinosaurs like Lord Rose need to wake up and smell the change happening around them. The high street is struggling, and younger generations aren’t going to accept rigid, outdated structures. They’ll demand flexibility—and businesses that embrace it will thrive.
In the end, remote work is about more than just working from home; it’s about empowering people to live and work better. And trust me, that leads to a stronger, happier, and more productive team—if you hire right.
#remoteworking #productivity #tourismmarketingagency
Tour Company Owner
1 个月I agree with you entirely, which won't surprise you. This may ruffle feathers, but anyone who thinks they can't manage people remotely isn't a very good manager.
Tour Guide and Creative Director
1 个月Hi Chris I think a mix of both is the best solution. Then you insure your staff don't feel isolated at home. As here in Belfast, some enjoy meeting colleagues going for lunch, and then there's the after work crowd on a 'Friday' ?? Supportimg the circular economy too. If you get my dift ??
Transportation, Tourism & Hospitality Professional Specializing in Accessible Mobility Solutions * Airport Shuttle Services * Strategic Planning * Business Development | Start-up | Turn Around | Yours to count on!
1 个月What truly matters is that the work gets done, delivering results, and have a happy, productive work environment. Add a few pints!!! THAT IS HOW YOU DO IT!!!! ??
Marketing & Comms Consultant/ Chief Communications Officer / Data Driven CMO / Public Speaker / Thought Leadership Strategist / Speechwriter / Master Storyteller
1 个月Have you ever noticed how so many of the “Everyone back to the office” cohort fit a narrow age and C-Suite demographic?
Simplifying AI-driven Analytics | Unlocking Customer Value
1 个月I absolutely love this quote: “I don’t care if it takes you 10 minutes or 10 hours. As long as deadlines are met, the work is exceptional, and clients are happy, we’re golden.” This captures the essence of effective remote work—trust and outcomes over micromanagement. However, where remote work often fails is when there’s a lack of clarity about roles and responsibilities. It’s not about asking people to “do a bit here and there” but providing clear expectations and trusting them to deliver. With that foundation in place, as you say, it doesn’t matter where someone is in the world—remote work can unlock incredible potential."