Remote: Office Not Required
by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson · 2013
In a nutshell
A groundbreaking guide from the founders of Basecamp arguing that the advantages of working remotely far outweigh the drawbacks, providing practical advice for building and managing successful remote teams.
Book Overview
Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the founders of Basecamp (formerly 37signals), bring new insight to the hotly debated argument about remote work. Published in 2013, the book was ahead of its time in championing distributed work.
Key Arguments
The authors persuasively argue that the advantages of working "off-site" far outweigh the drawbacks. The new paradigm is "move work to the workers, rather than workers to the workplace."
Benefits of Remote Work
Companies see advantages in the way remote work:
- Increases their talent pool
- Reduces turnover
- Lessens their real estate footprint
- Improves the ability to conduct business across multiple time zones
Content and Structure
Chapters include topics like:
- "Talent isn't bound by the hubs"
- "It's the technology, stupid"
- "When to type, when to talk"
- "Stop managing the chairs"
- "The virtual water cooler"
Challenges Addressed
The book challenges the traditional office-centric model by exposing its fundamental flaws—constant distractions that hinder meaningful work, time wasted on commutes, and arbitrary geographic limitations on talent acquisition.
Managing Remote Teams
The authors emphasize:
- Hiring self-motivated individuals with excellent communication skills
- Leveraging online tools: instant messaging, video conferencing, and project management software
- Maintaining team cohesion through intentional communication practices
Impact
The book became a New York Times bestseller and has influenced thousands of companies to adopt remote-friendly policies.
Available at major bookstores for approximately $15-25.
Reference
Remote: Office Not Required — publisher / official page. Summary adapted from the Awesome Startup Books collection.
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