Phil Simon
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Dynamic keynote speaker, tech & collaboration guru, & 14-time author. The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace is out now.
Articles by Phil Simon
Why All Authors Should Try Notion
Today’s post is by author and workplace collaboration expert Phil Simon. If I’ve learned anything about authors and publishing professionals over the past 17 years, it’s that exhibit astonishing loyalty to their favorite tools. For example, Scrivener aficionados swear that they’ll never revert to Microsoft Word. Try getting a professional designer today to swap out Adobe InDesign for QuarkXPress. See how that goes. I understand authors’ loyalty to their tried-and-true tools.
How will AI impact work? 4 questions we should be asking
The current labor market is, in a word, weird. Announcements of mass layoffs seem to come daily, especially from tech companies. Demand for US tech jobs isn’t abating, though. Oh, and then there’s the elephant in the room: All of this is happening against a backdrop of AI that began last November with the launch of ChatGPT. Will generative AI affect employee empowerment and dispersed workforces?
How will AI impact work? 4 questions we should be asking
The current labor market is, in a word, weird. Announcements of mass layoffs seem to come daily, especially from tech companies. Demand for US tech jobs isn’t abating, though. Oh, and then there’s the elephant in the room: All of this is happening against a backdrop of AI that began last November with the launch of ChatGPT. Will generative AI affect employee empowerment and dispersed workforces?
How will AI impact work? 4 questions we should be asking
Should I fear AI? Employee empowerment, wage hikes, and more key questions for AIs impact on our work We may earn a commission from links on this page. The current labor market is, in a word, weird. Announcements of mass layoffs seem to come daily, especially from tech companies. Demand for US tech jobs isn’t abating, though. Oh, and then there’s the elephant in the room: All of this is happening against a backdrop of AI that began last November with the launch of ChatGPT.
On Writing, AI, and Xerox Machines
Looking for quick, anodyne text? You’re in luck. Tools like ChatGPT, JasperAI, and many others can spew out ostensibly passable prose in no time. Apart from standalone tools, text-generation capabilities have already arrived in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and other word processors. Ditto for just about every other mainstream software application, like Notion. But should you use AI to write something of consequence, like a book? I’ll argue against doing so—and not just out of self-interest.
Reading the McGraw Hill Tea Leaves
McGraw Hill has stopped acquiring the rights to new business books. Yes, for real. From Publishers Weekly: McGraw Hill Professional “has made the strategic decision to cease frontlist acquisitions in the business category.” Upcoming titles have been canceled, though authors can keep their first advance. As a result, the business editorial team is being laid off. In a word, wow. A storied traditional publisher has exited the game—probably for good.
What oddly shaped conference room tables tell us about the future of work
Odds are that conference room tables don’t excite you. When I was doing research for my book, The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace, however, an oddly shaped conference room table piqued my interest. I’d argue that such a table can help us understand, and prepare for, new ways of working in the future. Few would ever call Cisco, the digital communications technology conglomerate, sexy.
What oddly shaped conference room tables tell us about the future of work
By Phil Simon3 minute Read Odds are that conference room tables don’t excite you. When I was doing research for my book, The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace, however, an oddly shaped conference room table piqued my interest. I’d argue that such a table can help us understand, and prepare for, new ways of working in the future. Few would ever call Cisco, the digital communications technology conglomerate, sexy.
ChangeThis | Will Generative AI Replace Us?
Generative AI will continue to make tremendous strides. It’s nowhere near the point of eliminating the need for human oversight, however. Just as we were finishing our Thanksgiving leftovers last year, the American artificial intelligence research laboratory OpenAI released a powerful text-generation tool called ChatGPT. Rather than define it in my own words, I’ll get all meta. I’ll let ChatGPT introduce itself: ChatGPT is no parlor trick or vaporware.
A Note to Former Scribe Media Clients
A week ago, hybrid publisher Scribe Media abruptly closed operations. I can only imagine the frustration of the company’s former employees, contractors, and clients. Writing a quality book is hard enough. Finding a new service provider midstream only adds to the complexity. If Racket can help, fill out this form. Our team of experienced professionals can get your project back on track. Best and good luck on resuming your writing projects.
The Rise Of The Fractional CXO
Hybrid and remote work mean that executives aren’t reevaluating whether they need permanent, full-time offices. Small and midsized firms are starting to ask the same question about certain senior roles. As a result, the idea of using contingent workers is beginning to permeate higher rungs of the corporate ladder. We’re seeing the gradual arrival of the fractional chief executive. In fairness, you’re unlikely to find a longstanding fractional executive at a Fortune 500 company.
Blind Spots - Racket Publishing
They affect every writer. This list includes A-list rockstars who routinely churn out bestselling books, first-time scribes, and everyone in between. One of the many perils of true self-publishing is the lack of a professional editor. (In other words, the author does it all.) Friends and beta readers can certainly be helpful, but make no mistake: amateurs rarely possess the skills to offer meaningful criticisms, much less the fixes to them.
Como funcionários da Accenture e do Walmart estão usando a realidade virtual
Phil Simon 4 minutos de leitura Durante décadas, muita gente achava que a realidade virtual não passava de uma fantasia futurista. Nos últimos anos, porém, as tecnologias imersivas avançaram bastante. Agora, são as empresas que estão começando a adotar esse tipo de tecnologia. Veja como: Walmart abraça o treinamento de funcionários com uso de alta tecnologia Em 2017, o Walmart começou a utilizar os Oculus Rift, óculos de realidade virtual (RV), em seus centros de treinamento.
Here’s how workers at companies like Accenture and Walmart are using virtual reality
By Phil Simon4 minute Read Keith Olbermann, of ESPN and MSNBC fame, once said, “Soccer is America’s sport of the future—and always will be.” The implication is that the sport will never truly take root in the U.S. For decades, the same could be said about virtual reality. Many believe it would always be a futuristic fantasy. Watch the 1992 flick The Lawnmower Man for a trip down memory lane. Over the past few years, however, we’ve made massive strides in immersive technologies.
The Empathy Advantage With Chris Shipley on Apple Podcasts
Chris Shipley joins me today. We talk about four-day workweeks, pandemic-based relocation, and her new book The Empathy Advantage. New book is out. Support the showMore about Conversations About Collaboration: Tweet at Phil Simon. Support the show via Patreon. Contact Phil Simon.
14 Books On Hybrid Working & Remote Teams In 2023
Navigating hybrid work can be a minefield for both leaders and employees who are new to the concept, it is crucial to stay ahead of the curve by developing the right leadership skills. We’ve curated this collection of books on remote work and hybrid teams designed to help organisations thrive in hybrid work settings. These are the best books that will not only help you stay on top of the latest work trends but also give you the knowledge and tools to become a better leader or employee.
I'm Now on Anchor.fm
Happy Holidays: A little more than two years ago, I did what so many others have done over the past five: I started a podcast. Since that time, I've recorded 74 episodes of Conversations About Collaboration. I've noticed over the last six months that more and more authors are creating short-form audio for their posts. Dror Poleg is a case in point. I've decided to join the party. I'm saving plenty of time since I'm rarely on Twitter anymore because, you know, Elon.
The Case for Advance Review Copies
You’ve nearly burned your eyes out staring at the screen. You’ve meticulously pored over every endnote, footnote, and heading. You understandably want to send this bad boy to the printer, start selling your book, and begin earning sales. Don’t. Print it out—ideally as a physical book, not just at FedEx Office. Odds are you’ll be surprised at what you find in advance review copies.
On Books and Oceans
In their 2005 book Blue Ocean Strategy, W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne group types of business ventures into two buckets: Red oceans: Intensely competitive areas, such as desktop computers à la 2006. Blue oceans: Untested areas, such as Amazon Web Services à la 2006. You weren’t going to make a killing launching a new desktop fifteen years ago. Dell’s net profit margins certainly weren’t Prada’s. Beige boxes didn’t hold the appeal of sleek MacBook Pros—and they still don’t.
Episode 70: Geeking Out in Notion With Jennie Blake
Episode 70: Geeking Out in Notion With Jennie Blake I think that I've found my sister from another mother. Is that a thing?
Announcing My 13th Book
I’ve got news. I’m dropping a new book early next year. Here’s the skinny. For decades, our relationship with workplace technology has been, in a word, complicated. The pandemic only made it more so. The stats are astonishing. Two in three employers cannot find qualified candidates to fill their open IT positions. By 2024, the deficit of software developers in the US alone will hit 500,000. Supply and demand for techies are out of whack and, most alarmingly, there’s no end in sight.
Episode 69: Next-Level Slack With Christine McHone
Episode 69: Next-Level Slack With Christine McHone The Protocol journalist joins me to talk about her fascinating beat.
Vote on the Subtitle for Why New Enterprise Systems Fail
Later this year, I’ll be releasing the third edition of my first book Why New Systems Fail: An Insider’s Guide to Successful IT Projects. Released in 2010, the second edition is a bit long in the tooth. A few things have happened during the last dozen years, such as the explosion of cloud computing and .) Despite some seismic changes in the tech landscape, organizations continue to struggle to implement enterprise systems.
Episode 68: Covering the Workplace With Lizzy Lawrence
Lizzy Lawrence of Protocol joins me. She covers tools and productivity in the workplace. We talk about productivity, Slack, Canva, Gen Z, organizational change, and other cool stuff.
Rhea Seahorn, Better Call Saul, and Planning
Eisenhower famously said, “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” When I coach first-time and even experienced scribes, I often think about his iconic quote. You’ll get no argument from me about the import of developing an idea and a rough outline before starting the writing process in earnest. By the same token, however, you’ll never know exactly what’s going to result from your writing efforts until you’re knee-deep in the process.
Cluelessness in Virginia
Lamentably, Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin seems not to have received the memo. Over 300 Virginia state employees in five state agencies recently resigned in the wake of Youngkin’s chaotic telework policy that ultimately mandated a full-time return to the office. (Maybe the governor’s got a man-crush on Elon Musk?) It turns out that many employees would rather quit than cede their newfound flexibility, especially in a historically tight labor market. Shocker.
Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace by Phil Simon
In this inviting, clear-eyed business management guide, tech authority and business podcaster Simon ( Reimagining Collaboration) urges readers to reevaluate the way project-based work and product launches are executed in remote and hybrid work environments.
Episode 67: Building a Second Brain With Tiago Forte
Episode 67: Building a Second Brain With Tiago Forte The author joins me to talk about a host of interesting subjects.
New Book Details the Challenges of Managing Projects in Hybrid and Remote Workplaces--and How to Overcome Them
World-renowned workplace-technology expert and award-winning author Phil Simon has released his twelfth book. Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace arrives as organizations continue to struggle to adapt to the new world of remote work, the Great Resignation, and other formidable management challenges. , /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- "We were never very adept at managing projects and launching products before the pandemic," says award-winning author and world-renowned workplace-tech expert Phil Simon.
Publication of Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace
I am pleased to announce that Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace is now available for purchase. Why give it a read? Lots of reasons, but here’s a biggie. As I’m well aware, the existing canon of PM books is nothing if not substantial. Still, the vast majority of the 60,000 or so texts on the topic dropped pre-COVID. The pandemic changed many things—not the least of which is how, when, and why we work. That ship has long sailed.
Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace
Review by Donna F, Reviewer Last updated on 15 Sep 2022 Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace by Phil Simon is a great read for those of us managing projects and people in the hybrid workplace. Phil writes in a no nonsense conversational tone with a little snark thrown in. The book has three sections. Section one provides an overview of the massive changes (you might skim this if you feel you have lived it and know it already).
Episode 66: Project Leadership With Anh Dao Pham
Episode 66: Project Leadership With Anh Dao Pham The author joins me to talk about Agile methods, whether PMs are necessities, and how to personalize projects.
Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace
Description For decades, organizations of all sizes and in all industries have struggled at managing projects. Even though employees primarily worked together in physical offices, rare was the project that came in on time and on budget and delivered what stakeholders expected. The M–F/9–5 in-person world of work is gone forever. Depending on the country, more than nine in ten people would rather quit their jobs than return to the office five days per week.
Episode 65: Audio Excerpt from Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace
Episode 65: Audio Excerpt from Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace Listen to a few chapters from my new book.
Episode 64: Team-Level Agreements and How the Future Works With Brian Elliott
Episode 64: Team-Level Agreements and How the Future Works With Brian Elliott Brian's back to talk about his new book How the Future Works: Leading Flexible Teams To Do The Best Work of Their Lives.
Book Trailer for Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace
I’m a big believer in book trailers and explainer videos. To that end, here’s the latest for my new baby Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace.
Excerpt From Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace
Below is an excerpt of my new baby Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace. In it, I set the table for the rest of the book.
Win a Copy of Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace
The cat is out of the bag. Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace drops in June. To promote the book, I’m giving away a few copies. Here’s the catch: You promise to give the book an honest review on your blog/site. You copy and paste that review on Amazon and GoodReads. You promise to do so in a relatively timely manner. You give it a little love on social media. You live in the United States. OK … catches. Plural. You got me. If you’re interested, then fill out the form below and I’ll be in touch.
Episode 63: Managing Multiple Projects With Elizabeth Harrin
Episode 62: Reimagining the Office With Sabine Ehm of Locatee What does the future office look like? I was excited to find out as well. Episode 61: Becoming Superhuman With Lucas Miller Biology, communication, and productivity are on the menu today with this impressive dude. Episode 60: Collective Deep Work With Dr. Laura Giurge A dynamic conversation with an über-dynamic individual.
Pre-Order Signed Copies of Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace
The Kindle edition of Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace is now up for pre-order, but not the physical book. As far as I know, there’s no easy way to offer signed copies of a book on Amazon or other sites for pre-order, so we’ll go old school. If you’d like a copy—or ten—of my new opus, have at it below. Note that it might take a few extra days to get you the books. That is, they may not arrive on June 15, 2022. When you check out, please include your address.
Announcing My 12th Book
I have been pretty quiet on the podcasting and blogging fronts lately—and for good reason. Yep, I’ve written another book. Here’s some more information about my forthcoming opus. 🥁 For decades, organizations of all sizes and in all industries have . Even though employees primarily worked together in physical offices, rare was the project that came in on time and on budget and delivered what stakeholders expected. The M-F/9-5 in-person world of work is gone forever.
XII
Hello Substack Peeps: Been a while… I’ll cut right to the chase. I’ve been heads-down writing another book. 🥁 Premise For decades, organizations of all sizes and in all industries have . Even though employees primarily worked together in physical offices, rare was the project that came in on time and on budget and delivered what stakeholders expected. The M-F/9-5 in-person world of work is gone forever.
Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace
Publication Date: June 15, 2022. Formats: Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and ebook. Page Length: 350 pages. For decades, organizations of all sizes and in all industries have . Even though employees primarily worked together in physical offices, rare was the project that came in on time and on budget and delivered what stakeholders expected. The M-F/9-5 in-person world of work is gone forever.
Forty-Four Books Advance to the BookLife Prize Quarterfinals
Forty-four books from across four categories have advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 2021 BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest. Please note that while all books have been processed and assessed, we are still editing a very small number of Critic's Reports, all of which will be completed by March 18.
Episode 61: Becoming Superhuman With Lucas Miller
Episode 60: Collective Deep Work With Dr. Laura Giurge A dynamic conversation with an über-dynamic individual. Episode 59: Suddenly Hybrid With Karin Reed The smart cookie drops big-time tips over course of the show. Episode 58: Talking Lanes With Sway’s Denise Brouder A chat about the future of work, the creator economy, web3, and the importance of incessantly asking why, and more.
Episode 60: Collective Deep Work With Dr. Laura Giurge
Episode 59: Suddenly Hybrid With Karin Reed The smart cookie drops big-time tips over course of the show. Episode 58: Talking Lanes With Sway’s Denise Brouder A chat about the future of work, the creator economy, web3, and the importance of incessantly asking why, and more. Episode 57: Employee Surveys Reimagined With Noah Pusey of Ripple Analytics An interesting discussion about performance reviews—something that we typically hate more than trips to our dentist.
Phil Simon: Adios, Spotify.
I proudly stand with Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. As of today, you can no longer find Conversations About Collaboration on the world’s most popular podcast services—err, “platform.” (We’ll see how long the company continues to hold that distinction. The word tenuous comes to mind.) Platform Perversion I call bullshit on CEO Daniel Ek’s claim that Spotify is sometimes a platform and other times a publisher. In the immortal words of The Church Lady, how convenient. Sorry, Danny.
On Calendly Etiquette
In Reimagining Collaboration, I tell the tale of a possible collaboration that never got off the ground. TL;DR: Another individual didn’t want to use my YouCanBookMe page to, you know, book time with me. Note that he insisted that we continue to use e-mail to hit a moving target. At least I’m not alone. It turns out that mine is hardly the only kerfuffle involving contemporary scheduling tools. The Calendly Conundrum Protocol published a timely piece on that very subject.
On Calendly Etiquette
In Reimagining Collaboration, I tell the tale of a possible collaboration that never got off the ground. TL;DR: Another individual didn’t want to use my YouCanBookMe page to, you know, book time with me. Note that he insisted that we continue to use e-mail to hit a moving target. At least I’m not alone. It turns out that mine is hardly the only kerfuffle involving contemporary scheduling tools. Protocol published a timely piece on that very subject.
Simon's Laws of Interorganizational Communication and Collaboration
I started thinking of another one of Simon’s Laws: The more organizations involved in a project, the more difficult it is to communicate and collaborate. (I’ll add this one if and when I update Reimagining Collaboration.) Since I like graphs: Of course, it doesn’t need to be this way. Early conversations like the one I had—and the ostensible buy-in they produce—can grease the communication wheels.
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