Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom once referred to hybrid work as a “win-win-win” situation.
Why? Because it boosts three key drivers behind business success: productivity, performance and retention. After studying more than 1,600 professionals, Bloom found that resignations fell by 33 percent among workers who shifted from working full-time in the office to a hybrid schedule, signaling job satisfaction and a collective determination to do well.
Clearly, hybrid working models are better for businesses — and their people. But you don’t have to tell that to Talent Acquisition Manager Marina Vartanyan.
At DISQO, she gets to reap the benefits of the company’s hybrid policy, including the perks that come with going into the office two to three times per week. Vartanyan said that the company’s open-space concept makes it easy to both collaborate with colleagues and find quiet areas for heads-down work.
This space provides the perfect setting for a fulfilling employee experience, playing host to productive teamwork — and competitive games of ping pong. Vartanyan shared that the office provides plenty of opportunities for employees to engage socially, offering a type of work environment that helps everyone succeed.
“For me, being in the office adds so much value to my workday — it fosters those spontaneous, in-person conversations that often spark new ideas and collaborations,” she said.
Below, Vartanyan shares more about the benefits of DISQO’s hybrid policy and what she loves most about working in the office.
DISQO’s audience insights platform enables brands, agencies and media companies to gauge advertising performance across every channel. The company’s AI-powered technology makes it easier to learn from and understand customer behavior as well as gain insights into every moment in the customer journey.
Tell us about DISQO’s office space and how frequently the team uses it.
DISQO has a fixed hybrid policy that encourages a great balance between flexibility and in-person connection. Employees are expected to come in two to three times per week, depending on their proximity to an office.
At the office, you can find me at a booth in the kitchen, where I can take a quick break or have informal conversations with colleagues. For more focused work, I like sitting at my desk in our open-concept space, which offers plenty of opportunities for collaboration. However, if I need privacy or a quiet environment to concentrate or take a call, I can easily find a private room to do so. This setup allows me to adapt to different needs throughout the day, making the office experience both productive and enjoyable.
“This setup allows me to adapt to different needs throughout the day, making the office experience both productive and enjoyable.”
What types of amenities does DISQO offer for in-office work? Do you have a personal favorite?
For our in-office days, we make sure to provide a catered lunch and plan company events around when most people are expected to be in. This means our happy hours, holiday celebrations like pumpkin painting and other fun activities are typically scheduled for Tuesdays or Thursdays to maximize attendance. In addition, we have a fully stocked kitchen to keep everyone fueled throughout the day and a game room that’s home to some seriously competitive ping-pong matches. I’m particularly fond of these games; we’ve taken things to the next level with spreadsheets to track wins and losses, and there are some pretty intense bets riding on the outcomes! It’s all about having fun, but there’s definitely some bragging rights at stake.
Compared to working remotely, how would you say working in the office has benefitted the way you work?
Personally, I thrive on human interaction and connection in my work. While I love the flexibility of remote work, I found that being fully remote left me feeling siloed, with limited opportunities to engage with people outside my immediate teammates who, by the way, are amazing. These unexpected interactions not only fill my social bucket but also open up opportunities to connect with colleagues from other teams, leading to fresh perspectives and innovative ways of approaching tasks that I wouldn’t have come across otherwise. The in-person dynamic creates a kind of energy and creativity that’s hard to replicate remotely, and it’s something I really value in my work.
