Global Chief Marketing & Communications Officer @ Pinterest | GM + P&L Owner | Board Director | 2024, 2023 Forbes Most Influential CMO
Amongst all the debate about remote work versus return-to-office, I think Pinterest has gotten it thoughtfully right. Two years ago, we introduced PinFlex. Put simply, it means we give employees the autonomy to live and work flexibly, while prioritizing intentional in-person collaboration at our truly inspiring offices around the world. In practice, that means most people work primarily from home but come into the office a day or two a week. Or, when there’s a clear advantage to doing so (like a week of cross-functional brainstorming or prototyping, for instance). Otherwise, we hire incredible professionals who we’ve learned are very good at making the right decisions for the business and for themselves. That said, the energy and speed of learning I get from being in-person still makes a real difference to my psyche and my output. So it doesn’t hurt that our offices are like stepping into a Pinterest board, each one inspired by local design trends. Could you imagine yourself here? We’re hiring: www.pinterestcareers.com
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I love the PinFlex model mentioned. Flexibility & innovation can still co-exist with digital collaboration — & offices can still provide a haven for larger in-person collaborative sessions, special team meetings, & networking. Many individuals on global teams may not work in the same cities, so digital collaboration & flexibility should be a pre-requisite for business today. Flexibility shows trust, supports the employee lifecycle, and reduces turnover. P.S. If that were my office, you’d find me nestled under that tree by the plants 😉🌱
At the risk of being a hater (because this office is beautifully designed), after 20 years of working in various ad agencies, I've learned the prettiest places often mask the darkest cultures. NOT saying it's you, Pinterest. Just saying, it's out there.
I don’t like coming into the office for a multitude of reasons. But if the office looked like this with quiet rooms and tons of sunlight + plants… I’d likely be there on the weekends too 😂
The PinFlex model is exactly how it should be! As a creative person, having in-person brainstorming sessions and collaboration is invigorating and makes my brain prickle with ideas. But when it’s time to create—design materials, write copy, build pitch decks, develop a clear timeline and tasks, or map out strategy—I thrive most with the uninterrupted focus and peace of my home. I’m glad to hear Pinterest has figured it out and supports the best environments for the work and for their employees. I could certainly see myself there! 💡🌿
Hiring someone is like being in any other relationship, you choose a person to be part of your life and you trust that person will do right by you, that they will treat you fairly and be honest. And if they are not, sooner or later you will find out. But they don't need to be under your watch daily for that. People should be free to choose how to do their best work. A fancy office is not the best thing you can offer your employees. People are different and different things matter to different people. A company should support its employees' choices to attract and retain loyal and happy talent.
This resonates so deeply with me - I need to be alone to get deep work done (remote) but gain so much energy and value from being around co-workers. This hybrid model and beautifully designed space demonstrate to me that employees are valued - valued enough that the company invested significant time, energy and thought into creating it. This would incentivize me to come in far more often to collaborate than any initiative that tracks and forces me to be in the office. Well done and I’m inspired!
I mean who wouldn't want to go in with offices like that!
Marketing Analyst | Market Research | Digital Marketing | MS in Marketing Analytics, Jan 2024 | OMCA | Passionate about bringing creativity and storytelling to the analytical world of marketing data and AI
4dI know this post was about the flexibility of hybrid work (and as my company removes one of our remote days, I am in complete agreement about trusting your people to do the work outside of the office)…BUT I got completely distracted by this office aesthetic. Honestly, if my office had hidden rooms and Disney’s Tree of Life in it, I wouldn’t mind coming in at all.