It’s Time to Downsize - New Studio Tour
TLDRThe script details the challenges and innovative solutions of a company downsizing to an old residential house after facing financial difficulties. The company creatively adapts to the limited space by repurposing rooms for various departments, implementing efficient workflows, and even using a shared server in the basement. Despite the setbacks, the company remains optimistic, focusing on content creation and looking forward to future projects, all while maintaining a humorous outlook on their situation.
Takeaways
- 🏠 The company had to downsize and move back to the old Langley house due to financial constraints.
- 📉 The decision was influenced by rising interest rates, inflation, and a slowdown in production after a controversy in August.
- 🔄 The company managed to retain one valuable asset, which led to the eviction of tenants and the establishment of the new Old Lonus Media Group.
- 🎥 The old Langley house has historical significance as the site where popular videos were previously produced.
- 👥 Space was reorganized by department, but some departments received more space than others.
- 💡 Innovations like bunk desks were introduced to maximize the limited space and accommodate the growing team.
- 🚧 Challenges such as power delivery and food storage were faced due to the transition to a smaller, residential space.
- 🚿 Creative solutions like earning bathroom time on a merit basis were implemented to manage limited facilities.
- 💻 The company is working on solutions to overcome technical challenges, such as using jailbroken PS5s as workstations.
- 🌐 Network infrastructure was adapted by setting up a high-speed connection and utilizing remote work for some employees.
- 📈 Despite the downsizing, the company remains optimistic about creating engaging content and has plans for future projects.
Q & A
What led to the company downsizing and moving back to the old Langley house?
-The company faced financial difficulties due to rising interest rates and inflation, coupled with the aftermath of a controversy in August that resulted in a slowdown in production. They could no longer afford their office buildings, leading to the decision to move back to the old Langley house.
How did the company adapt to the limited space in the new location?
-The company adapted by dividing the house by department and assigning workspaces to employees. They also implemented innovative solutions like bunk desks to maximize the use of space, with junior writers on the ground level and senior writers on the top bunks.
What challenges did the company face with regards to power delivery in the new location?
-The company faced challenges with power delivery as most Vancouver homes are serviced for about 10,000 Watts, which was insufficient for 100 people's tech needs. They had to resort to using power-efficient laptops and jailbroken PS5s as workstations to reduce power consumption.
How did the company handle the issue of limited bathroom facilities for the increased number of employees?
-The company implemented a system of earning bathroom time on a merit basis. For those who couldn't earn enough bathroom time, a shuttle was operated to the local Starbucks, and for the low married individuals, a system involving vibrating pucks was used.
What was the company's solution to the problem of fitting a large number of cars in the parking lot?
-The company developed an efficient system to fit 30 cars in the parking lot space where previously their neighbors had access to their garages. Despite some scratches from keyed cars, the system allowed for better utilization of the limited parking space.
What is the role of the business and procurement teams in the new office setup?
-The business and procurement teams are situated on the house's naturally embedded cushion benches. They are responsible for streamlining the money-making processes and integrating these processes into their scriptwriting.
How did the company address the issue of food storage and organization with reduced fridges?
-The company started organizing pizza lunches every eating day, where everyone gets a slice, and clean-up is made easy. This approach helped to manage the food storage problems caused by reducing the number of fridges.
What is the significance of the server room in the new office setup?
-The server room is crucial for the company's operations. It houses their UniFi rack and other networking equipment. The server room was moved to the basement to take advantage of natural heat regulation, and Luke, who used to receive executive-level pay, now resides there to manage the servers.
How did the company manage their network infrastructure in the new location?
-The company ensured that the editors were connected to ethernet cables and used high-end equipment. They also set up a 10 gigabit internet connection by aggregating links from nine of their unsuspecting neighbors.
What are some of the innovative content ideas the company is planning for the future?
-The company is planning innovative content such as 'Whole Human Water Cooling V2', where they mix chilled liquid with human blood, and a segment on the best tech for faking your death and leaving the country.
What is the role of the sponsor, Squarespace, in the company's operations?
-Squarespace is a sponsor that provides a user-friendly all-in-one platform for building websites. They offer intuitive drag-and-drop elements, an asset library, and 24/7 support. The company encourages its audience to use Squarespace for their website needs and offers a 10% discount for their viewers.
Outlines
🏢 Office Downsize and Nostalgic Return
The paragraph discusses the company's need to downsize due to financial constraints caused by rising interest rates, inflation, and a slowdown in production following a controversy. Despite the challenges, the company managed to retain the old Langley house, which they are now repurposing as their new office space. This move is seen as an opportunity to return to their roots, as the house was the original site of their video production. The company is optimistic about this change, believing it will lead to more efficient operations, even though it means a return to a more crowded and less conventional workspace.
💡 Innovative Solutions to Power and Space Constraints
This paragraph highlights the company's creative solutions to the challenges of powering and accommodating their new office space. With a limited power supply, they have implemented strategies such as using power-efficient laptops for the editors and jailbroken PS5s as workstations. The company also addresses the issue of limited space by adopting a communal and merit-based system for bathroom use and setting up a shuttle service to a local Starbucks for employees who don't earn enough bathroom time. Additionally, they have adapted to the reduced fridge capacity by organizing group lunches and maintaining a clean and efficient kitchen space for their Vlogs.
🌐 Networking and Server Management in a Residential Setup
The paragraph focuses on the company's IT infrastructure and how they have adapted it to their new residential office environment. Despite the challenges of setting up a high-performance network in a house designed for a few people, the company has managed to maintain a robust system. They have a UniFi rack for their network, a portable Nas for storage, and a server room set up in the basement for natural heat regulation. The company also creatively uses the limited space available, with the business and procurement teams working from cushion benches and the server room being managed by an enthusiastic team member who has moved back into the basement.
🎥 Content Creation and Team Adaptation in a Crowded Space
The final paragraph discusses the company's content creation process and how the teams have adapted to the new office environment. The video production team has had to adjust to less studio space, but they have embraced the challenge by getting creative with storage solutions and using the limited space effectively. The accounting department has adopted a unique approach to their work, using a makeshift setup that includes camping chairs and garbage bags for moisture control. The engineers are working on improving solutions for the company, and the social media team has downsized their space but continues to produce content. The HR department is also thriving in the tight quarters, with employees maintaining a positive attitude despite the challenges.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Rising interest rates
💡Inflation
💡Office buildings
💡Langley house
💡Eviction notice
💡Efficient layout
💡Bunk desks
💡Food storage problems
💡Green screen
💡Power delivery
💡Jailbroken PS5s
💡Merchandise
Highlights
The company had to downsize due to financial constraints caused by rising interest rates, inflation, and a slowdown in production after a controversy.
Despite the financial difficulties, the company managed to retain ownership of the old Langley house, which they plan to use as their new office space.
The company had previously outgrown their original workspace at the Langley house, but now sees returning there as a positive step back to their roots.
The new office layout involves dividing the house by department, with each department receiving an equal workspace, although some departments ended up with more than others.
The company faced challenges with power delivery, as their new office space could only handle about 10,000 watts, which was insufficient for 100 people's tech needs.
To address power limitations, the company considered using power-efficient laptops but found them insufficient for heavy workloads like video rendering.
The company is exploring the use of jailbroken PS5s as workstations due to their lower power consumption.
The transition to the new office space involved challenges such as adapting to fewer bathrooms for a larger number of employees.
The company implemented a merit-based system for bathroom time, with certain employees having priority access due to their roles or contributions.
The company's server room is now located in the basement, with Luke, a former executive, volunteering to move back in to manage it.
The company's internet connection was upgraded to 10 gigabit by aggregating links from nine neighbors, thanks to their innovative 'wanic' setup.
The company's accounting department has had to adapt to a new, makeshift setup within the office, using a creative water cooling system for their chairs.
The fashion team is working on cost-effective measures for new clothing styles, even incorporating red fabric as a symbol of their cost-saving efforts.
The company's customer care team operates from a small, closet-like space, with only 19% of the original team remaining.
The company's parking lot is a tight squeeze, with an efficient system developed to fit 30 cars in a limited space, despite causing some tension with neighbors.
The company's HR department is working in a cramped space, but they remain optimistic about the situation.
The company is planning innovative content, such as whole human water cooling V2 and the best tech for faking one's death and leaving the country.