The benefits of collaboration cannot be overstated. We have developed and managed products and projects with team members around the globe. Our numerous patents were initiated through many physical, often impromptu, interactions. In times of complex design or requirements objectives, I would go outside with the rest of the team and chat about our difficulties. Invariably, ideas would get generated. We would capture those ideas, and these resulted in intellectual property.

I worry that we are missing out on the benefits of such impromptu meetings in this post-COVID world. Many people successfully worked from home during the pandemic, and now they are reluctant to go back to the office. Indeed, I recently spoke with a headhunter who complained that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find people who will go into an office. Many tools help communication in a remote team, but they will never replace impromptu interactions.