Summary of How Local Businesses Can Capitalize on Hybrid Work | WSJ Your Money Briefing

00:00:00 - 00:05:00

Alexandra Samuel suggests that local businesses can cater to the needs of hybrid workers by capitalizing on the ability to work at non-traditional times and locations. She recommends setting up co-working spaces in coffee shops and restaurants and hosting networking events during lunchtime in local communities and suburbs. Adjustments in transportation schedules should also be made to accommodate hybrid workers. Samuel suggests that hybrid workers introduce themselves to local shop owners and encourage them to adapt to the changing neighborhood dynamics brought on by remote work.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Alexandra Samuel discusses how local businesses could cater to the needs of hybrid workers, who make up 40% of the American workforce, by capitalizing on the ability to work at non-traditional times and locations. Coffee shops and restaurants, for example, can consider setting up for co-working and provide comfortable spaces for those who would like to spend longer stretches of the day there. In addition, networking events and activities should not only be limited to traditional after-work cocktails, but also take place in local communities and suburbs during lunchtime, where remote workers are most hungry for interaction. Finally, adjustments in transportation schedules need to be made to accommodate hybrid workers.
• 00:05:00 In this section, WSJ contributor Alexandra Samuel explains how businesses can capitalize on the shift to hybrid work and accommodate the changing schedules of workers. She suggests implementing a consistent schedule from 8 AM to 8 PM, as it allows employees to work different schedules, which is a better use of resources and can lead to greater effectiveness. Samuel also notes that neighborhood dynamics will change due to remote work, with some having a significant proportion of people working remotely and others having very few. She suggests that hybrid workers can encourage businesses to adapt by introducing themselves to local shop owners and letting them know what they could do to encourage workers to spend more time and money in their establishments.