Hi There!

I hope your Wednesday is going well. Welcome back to another episode of Ask Ash, where I interview WatchMojo Founder & CEO Ashkan Karbasfrooshan and ask him questions about various topics, ranging from covering the news to giving career advice to students & entrepreneurs.

WatchMojo has recently developed a new insights initiative. With the help of our staff and YouTube audience, our goal is to gain valuable information in various industries. As part of the new insights initiative, we polled the office and bigger WatchMojo Community about returning to the office, specifically whether people would look for a new job if they were forced to return to a physical office. 

I wanted to get Ash’s thoughts on some of the results of our first insight and compare the differences of discrepancy between the two.

Amongst WatchMojo staff, only 1/3 said they would look for another job if forced to return to in-person work. But amongst the Watchmojo community of viewers, 2/3 said they would do the same. What, in your opinion, explains that discrepancy?

When I started the company in 2006, I faced a choice: either build a “boring” business that would make money right away or launch a fun company that may never be profitable, but which people would want to work at. From the onset, that was a stark personal choice that is paying dividends today.

Furthermore, I’d write about concepts like servant leadership, stakeholder mindset, etc. which today are embraced by the best leaders. Similarly, I’m always concerned with how my team will feel when we make decisions… people may roll their eyes today the same way they rolled their eyes fifteen years ago. From Day 1 of the pandemic, I like to think the team understands that we sincerely care about their physical and mental health first, and the company will benefit over time. That’s more of my “long term greedy” mantra which is ironically popularized by Goldman Sachs and Lazard Freres. 

Moreover, I’ve communicated with the team throughout and driven home the point that we are in no rush… so asking such a question in the context of the Insights Program may assuage those who’d worry about our intentions.

Furthermore, the company has a great culture and the communications on a day-to-day reinforce that it’s a family vibe. We are very performance-focused, but we are not political… which is what wears people down. Years ago I wanted to hire and retain everything and everyone… today it’s about the right people who push the organization to be better and are good human beings and team players. 

Finally, I think it speaks to the fact that while many prefer the flexibility of WFH, a lot of people actually look forward to returning, one day, and understand if and when we do bring people back, it’s in the interest of the greater good. 

If you want to submit questions to Ash directly, you can do so by clicking the link here: https://watchmojo.com/suggest/AskMojo%20-%20WatchMojo’s%20founder%20Ash