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Work is a Verb
A weekly(ish) newsletter by
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Hey Reader ,
Running Remote Reflections: What I Learned (And Didn't)
Still tasting salsa... and cognitive dissonance.
I've been back from the Running Remote conference for a week now, and I'm still processing the experience. Rather than give you the standard "everything was amazing" conference recap, I wanted to share some candid takeaways that might surprise you. ​ The conference was energetic, inspiring…and weirdly disjointed. Below is the honest highlight reel, equal parts optimism and “uh‑oh.”
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The remote movement isn’t one movement
​I expected a clearer drumbeat from a remote‑work conference. Instead, we got:
- “Hybrid is the future.”
- “No—remote is the future.”
- “People are the future.”
- “Actually, AI will replace our people next week”
Remote skeptics may lack facts, but they own message discipline. If we want policy‑makers, media, and fence‑sitting CEOs to take us seriously, we need a sharper narrative—fast.​ ​
- People Leaders and marketers understand the assignment
​Panels featuring HR, TA, and brand pros were electric. Hebba Youssef triggered spontaneous applause; others dropped quotable mic‑drops. Why? They spoke the universal language of outcomes: retention, engagement, employer brand ROI. This reflects exactly what we're seeing at Remotivated: the most forward-thinking People and Marketing leaders are championing remote culture while some executives are still catching up. ​
- Some founders missed the room
​Too many stepped on stage armed with “AI‑first” decks for a “people‑first” audience. One even pitched renaming the conference Running AI (cue crickets). Note to builders: tech is the servant of culture, not the other way around. ​
- Austin remains undefeated
​Driverless cars, brisket for breakfast, and the taco stand ever. If you left town uninspired, you skipped lunch. ​
- A tale of two badges
​Attending with my fiancée (an EVP of Marketing at a remote company) created an interesting experiment. As we visited vendor booths, it was fascinating to see how quickly each representative would identify which of us was their "target buyer" — often completely ignoring the other person. It reminded me of car salesmen who would talk only to me when my fiancée was the actual buyer.
​ ​TL;DR for fellow remote advocates
- Unify the story. Fragmented messages slow policy progress.
- Lead with People Ops + Marketing. They translate vision into credibility.
- Tech ≠culture. Tools amplify values; they don’t supply them.
- Keep Austin weird—and delicious.
- Seek better rooms. Let’s curate spaces that push the craft forward.
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Employee Value Proposition (EVP): The Definitive Guide for 2025
What exactly is an EVP, and why should you care? Learn how you can harness its power to transform your employer brand.
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We are Rosie
We Are Rosie is shaking up the marketing industry with a flexible, human, and inclusive approach. They connect marketers to opportunities with top brands and agencies, fostering a diverse and supportive work environment. As a fully remote team, they offer comprehensive benefits, including generous PTO, health insurance, and professional development stipends, ensuring a balanced and fulfilling work experience.
(Note that We are Rosie is a network for freelancers in addition to traditional employment on their core team)
Remote
Hiring in the USA for:
-Sales
-Account Management
-Marketing experts for freelance roles ​ Check out their full Company Profile​
Does knowing that a company is fully remote make you more likely to buy their product or service? |
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Working remotely—but never alone,
Jim
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