You’ve got to understand why you’re doing it. You know, some people, in this day and age, they want to be remote because they don’t want to work a lot. And if you’re going to go into it with that sort of mindset, or try to game the system…I don’t think it’s going to work out for you.
– Nick on the importance of understanding your motivation for remote work
Navigating Remote Work and Operational Excellence: A Deep Dive into Nick Korwin’s Journey
In this episode of the Work From Home Forever podcast, we delve into the captivating story of Nick Korwin, a seasoned operations and engineering professional with a background in mechanical engineering. From his diverse experiences in medical, automotive, and chemical industries, to his current role as a remote data operations manager for a tech company in California, Nick’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Join us as we explore the motivations behind his transition, the challenges he faced, and the valuable insights he gained along the way.
Embracing Change – From Traditional to Remote Work
Nick shares the pivotal moment when his life took an unexpected turn with the surprise of twins. Faced with the constraints of a conservative family-owned manufacturing company, he sought flexibility and work-life balance. Discover how Nick’s quest for a remote work opportunity led him to a fully remote position in the tech industry.
Navigating Uncertainty – Nick’s Hesitations and Sacrifices
The career pivot from managing large-scale operations to a fully remote role wasn’t without its doubts. Nick opens up about the concerns raised by family and colleagues, particularly the fear of losing the personal touch he had with frontline workers. Learn about the sacrifices he was willing to make for the well-being of his family and how those sacrifices shaped his perspective.
Adapting to a New Normal – Culture Shock and Adjustments
Moving from a manufacturing setting to a tech environment presented Nick with a culture shock. Explore the challenges he faced adjusting to the different work hours and the transition from physical presence to remote work. Gain insights into his strategies for staying engaged digitally and virtually, ensuring a smooth integration into his new role.
Strategic Career Moves – Pivoting from Manufacturing to Tech
Nick’s aspiration to venture into the tech industry was a long-held dream. Learn about his strategic career moves, including program management, as a stepping stone toward realizing his goal. Discover the lessons he shares for professionals seeking a similar transition.
Changing Mindsets – Overcoming Recruiter Hesitations
During our discussion, Nick shares his experiences in changing recruiters’ mindsets about his suitability for tech roles. Find out how he balanced humility with highlighting his valuable experiences in the manufacturing space, bridging the gap between two seemingly different industries.
Remote Leadership and Feedback – Insights from a Digital Operations Manager
As a remote digital operations manager, Nick discusses the surprising acceptance of remote leadership in the tech industry. Explore how he manages a global workforce and gains insights into the challenges and successes of leading a team virtually.
Gaps in Remote Work – Challenges and Opportunities
Nick highlights the gaps in remote work, particularly the difficulties in replicating the spontaneous moments of creativity observed in physical settings. Discover the trade-offs and challenges he faces in monitoring operations remotely and the impact on continuous improvement initiatives.
Building a Brand – Operational Excellence on LinkedIn
Nick’s commitment to Operational Excellence (OpEx) is evident in his efforts to build an online following on LinkedIn. Uncover his perspective on OpEx, the pitfalls of buzzwords, and his realistic approach to sharing expertise and insights with the LinkedIn community.
Connect with Nick on LinkedIn for more insights into Operational Excellence!
Addressing Manufacturing Components – People, Plant, and Intellectual Property
Nick emphasizes the significance of the “people” side in manufacturing operations, shedding light on its often-overlooked importance. Explore his rankings of people, plant, and intellectual property as the critical components in building successful manufacturing operations.
As we wrap up this exploration into Nick Korwin’s journey, we reflect on the valuable lessons learned from his experiences. From navigating remote work challenges to strategically pivoting careers, Nick’s story serves as a beacon for professionals seeking inspiration and guidance in their own journeys.
Connect with Nick
- 🔗 LinkedIn: Connect with Nick on LinkedIn.
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Q & A with Nick
Why did you want to Work From Home Forever?
- Was set to have twins when my oldest was only going to be 16 months. I need the flexibility afforded to me by WFH. Couldn’t be working 50+ hours a week at a factory any more.
How long have you been Working From Home, Forever?
- June 2022
What trade offs, if any, did you make in order to Work From Home Forever?
- Going fully remote, I’ve had to give up my daily production walks, seeing the work performed physically, engaging organically with frontline workers, etc.
How do you manage work/life balance Working From Home, Forever?
- It hasn’t always been easy. My office is only a few steps away, my phone is practically always one me. I can manage 80% of production from my phone so it’s taken a lot of will power to set boundaries. I’ve created new work processes as well to accommodate this mindset.
What’s your best advice to others who want to Work From Home Forever?
- If you want to, then you won’t regret it. The complaints or tradeoffs you’ve heard are worth doing it.
What are your three must-haves to Work From Home, Forever?
- Flexible start/end times for each day, a quiet and separate office space to put your mind in “work mode”, a strong partner to help you keep work/life boundaries.
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