Mar 4, 2025

News provided by Share this article DI PRS 165 As businesses navigate the complexities of hybrid work, James Colgan, CPO of Envoy, explains why rigid workplace policies fail and how data-driven insights can create smarter, more productive offices. In this episode of Disruption Interruption, Colgan highlights how Envoy bridges the gap between digital tools and physical spaces. TAMPA BAY, Fla., March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- With 31% of businesses scaling back remote work and 33% expanding it, the workplace landscape is more divided than ever. (1) On this week's episode of the Disruption Interruption podcast , James Colgan, Chief Product Officer at Envoy, joins host Karla Jo Helms (KJ) to explore how technology is reshaping modern offices, the impact of company culture on productivity, and why businesses—including Tesla and Match.com—are leveraging Envoy to streamline operations. "People are looking for flexibility and adaptability—they want a work experience that seamlessly integrates with their life, not one that disrupts it," he explains. The Future of Work: Why One-Size-Fits-All Won't Work As companies push to bring employees back to the office, they're facing a clear challenge—friction. A recent Gallup report shows that 60% of employees prefer a hybrid work model, 33% want fully remote roles, and only 10% favor being in the office full-time. (2) But as Colgan points out, these numbers don't tell the whole story. "The reality is that's just a snapshot in time. Ask people a week later, and their preferences may shift depending on what's happening in their work and personal lives." Workplace expectations are evolving, and rigid policies fail to address the dynamic nature of employee needs. The goal is to make employees more productive, effective, and happier. It's about developing a workplace that doesn't just function—it thrives." — James Colgan, Chief Product Officer at Envoy The Culture Anchor: Enhancing Office Engagement Beyond Mandates The conversation around returning to the office often boils down to one question—why? Some advocate for in-office work to boost collaboration, innovation, and company culture, while others see remote work as the best way to maximize flexibility and productivity. "It's kind of ironic because the pendulum keeps swinging. When remote work surged, people felt disconnected, and isolated, and struggled to integrate into company culture. Now, as businesses try to bring people back, the challenge is defining what makes that experience worthwhile," points out Colgan. Companies need to identify what truly makes their office culture valuable. Simply mandating a return won't foster engagement—it has to be an experience employees want. "What's the anchor point for your company's culture?" Colgan asks. "Why should employees feel excited to come back? It has to be more than just 'because we said so.'" Building the Workplace of the Future: How Envoy Connects People, Tech, and Spaces The future of work isn't just about choosing between remote or in-office; it's about understanding how workplaces function today and how they should evolve. Leaders need tools that provide a clear, unbiased picture of workplace utilization and effectiveness. Envoy helps companies make sense of this data. By tracking how employees interact with office spaces over time, businesses can refine workplace strategies to improve collaboration and efficiency. "What we do is bring together all of your workplace technology—email, HRIS, ERP systems—and connect them to the physical world," explains Colgan. This integration isn't just about convenience; it's about making work frictionless and intuitive. By leveraging IoT and real-time data, Envoy enables organizations to create smarter, more efficient workplaces. "The goal is to make employees more productive, effective, and happier," Colgan explains. "It's about developing a workplace that doesn't just function—it thrives." Links Disruption Interruption is the podcast where you will hear from today's biggest Industry Disruptors. Learn what motivated them to bring about innovation and how they overcame opposition to adoption. Disruption Interruption can be listened to in Apple's App Store and Spotify. About Disruption InterruptionTM Disruption is happening on an unprecedented scale, impacting all manner of industries— MedTech, Finance, IT, eCommerce, shipping, logistics, and more—and COVID has moved their timelines up a full decade or more. But WHO are these disruptors and when did they say, "THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD IT!"? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host Karla Jo "KJ" Helms, veteran communications disruptor. KJ interviews badasses who are disrupting their industries and altering economic networks that have become antiquated with an establishment resistant to progress. She delves into uncovering secrets from industry rebels and quiet revolutionaries that uncover common traits—and not-so-common—that are changing our economic markets… and lives. Visit the world's key pioneers that persist to success, despite arrows in their backs at http://www.disruption-interruption.com . About James Colgan James Colgan is the Chief Product Officer at Envoy, where he leads the company's product strategy and vision to enhance workplace experiences through sales and product-led growth. With a track record of scaling products and driving operational excellence, James has played key roles at Microsoft, Slack, and Spendesk, shaping the future of workplace technology. At Microsoft, he spearheaded PLG strategies that grew Outlook mobile from 1M to nearly 60M MAU in just two years and led go-to-market efforts achieving 85% enterprise market penetration. At Spendesk, he modernized the Engineering, Product, Data, and PMO teams, helping triple SMB revenue to $50M and drive a unicorn valuation. Renowned for building high-performing teams and customer-centric products, James blends strategic vision with execution to deliver sustainable growth and innovation across global markets. About Karla Jo Helms Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™. Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line — and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of goodwill into the good graces of public opinion — Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what it takes to excel. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception. References 1. Liu, Jennifer. "What's in Store for Remote Work and RTO in 2025: "Hybrid Will Be Dominant," Says Expert." CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025, cnbc.com/2025/02/02/whats-in-store-for-remote-work-and-rto-in-2025.html. 2.    Gallup. "Indicator: Hybrid Work." Gallup.com, 2023, gallup.com/401384/indicator-hybrid-work.aspx. Media Inquiries: