Rethinking the IT industry: establishing offices in rural areas
There is a growing trend towards shortening the working week to four days, giving employees more time to rest. However, I believe more can be done on this matter.
The question I have is why don't we have a network of small IT companies/offices of medium/large companies spread across rural/low-populated areas with a more relaxed pace of life? And if we do have such a network, why isn't it being marketed better?
Yes, there are remote-first companies that to some extent cover this gap, yet my intent is slightly different. I believe in the power of shoulder-to-shoulder collaboration (at least once in a while), and as a family person, I also value a calm office environment and a purely working atmosphere.
Most IT companies tend to gravitate towards large urban areas to set up their offices, in search of fresh university graduates or other companies' employees. However, I think there should be a segment of mature or well-established IT companies that do not require access to a constant supply of fresh graduates or labor market. SaaS or PaaS assumes that you don't need to be in the same city, area, or even country as your clients. COVID-19 has taught us that we can work remotely and travel less while still operating effectively.
To me, the benefits of low-populated areas are quite apparent, including:
- Cheaper rent
- Easier access to social services, schools, and kindergartens
- A more relaxed pace of life (!)
- Proximity to nature, such as lakes, forests, or mountains.
Of course, there may be some obvious drawbacks — there is likely not going to be a third-wave coffee shop nearby, and the only restaurant might be a bit old-fashioned. However, having more spare time, one can definitely improve their own cappuccino foam skills or cook the dishes they prefer.
What am I missing?