Transforming Work with Sophie Wade 108: Amina Moreau — Offering Flexibility: The Essence of Modern Work
Amina Moreau is the CEO and co-Founder of Radious, an online marketplace offering companies flexible work locations to give their employees commute-free, homestyle, collaborative workspaces. She is a serial entrepreneur, multiple Emmy-winning filmmaker, and photographer. Amina explains why employers need to create a framework and processes that enable workplace flexibility and support employees' autonomy, incorporating comfortable and convenient work environments. Amina shares insights about empathetic leadership and upskilled managers to improve employees' experiences and performance. She describes critical environmental and social components of new workplace solutions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[02:38] Amina changes majors five times exploring what she wants to be when she grows up!
[03:35] Amina loves photography but also thinks learning how the brain works is handy.
[4:40] Storytelling means understanding who people are and how they think and see their future.
[05:49] Amina's first business initially emphasizes innovative technology and equipment.
[07:04] Taking wedding storytelling to the next level – what has shaped who these people are?
[07:44] Tomatoes are a metaphor for one couple's relationship.
[09:22] How relationships evolve on film and with clients.
[10:46] Entrepreneurship is Amina's path—starting in her dorm room.
[11:47] A talent for seeing gaps in the market spawns multiple new ventures.
[12;15] Amina develops opportunities related to her core passion.
[14:30] Pandemic-related issues are the genesis for non-profit Float Small Business.
[15:43] Creative ground support for local businesses keeps Amina busy during a tough period.
[17:34] A new venture to suit flexible workstyles emerges from their Airbnb host business.
[19:22] Eliminating the overnight component increases safety and solves other hosting pain points.
[21:25] New adaptations as employers integrate remote policies for the long term.
[23:30] A compelling combination: no commuting, collaboration space, and the comforts of home.
[24:28] Who pays for the space? Shifting to a B2B model.
[26:24] Current RTO headlines don't match the majority of companies' work policies.
[27:50] Amina believes most companies are trying hybrid as they are stuck with office leases.
[28:38] The benefits of flexible, on-demand office spaces and who is likely to benefit most.
[32:12] Have leaders who proclaim remote work isn't sustainable been trained to manage in remote/hybrid environments?
[34:20] Terminology needs to evolve to reflect the variety of remote work options and benefits.
[35:58] Empathetic leadership leads to better team outcome for which leaders need upskilling.
[36:58] Team level agreements need setting about expectations and communication styles.
[38:35] How much autonomy is optimal to drive motivation and outcomes?
[39:27] Companies signing up for flexible workspaces need a framework and process to ensure their employees use it.
[40:22] Working with companies to understand their context and help them choose relevant workspaces.
[41:29] Amina's sense of purpose that energizes her and the team—we're here to help bring fulfillment and work/life balance.
[43:35] Radious's core environmental and social solutions are significant motivators for Amina.
[44:40] Local workspaces also support community relationships and business.
[46:04] IMMEDIATE ACTION TIP: It doesn't have to be a two-sided equation — either working at the office or from home. There are many other options to consider to support your employees, which don't have the costs or commute of an office, yet offer camaraderie and community.
RESOURCES
Radious on Instagram @Radious.Pro
QUOTES (edited)
"One of the best things that you can study is how people think because in any profession, understanding how the brain works is kind of handy."
"It turns out that having a psychology background is really valuable in storytelling."
"There are some companies that from the beginning of the pandemic were hell-bent on getting people back to the office. Come hell or high water, those companies still exist. Thankfully, they are in the minority."
"The headlines we see about RTO are usually made by the biggest companies on the planet which have the largest PR megaphones … and the largest real estate holdings."
"A lot of people equate remote work with working from home, but remote work is now an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of ways, and places to work from. And it doesn't have to be in isolation."