Corporate jobs and motivation

From Springwise:

"Escape the City's mission is to “liberate talented people from corporate jobs that don’t excite them,” in the site's own words. Toward that end, the company — which was started by two such former management consultants — has built an online platform that aims to connect ambitious and talented but unsatisfied people with “exciting career changes, innovative business start-ups and epic adventures.” Employers with approved life-changing opportunities can list them on the site, while Escape the City's more than 17,000 members can use it to connect, reflect and find their new path. A coaching program, meanwhile, provides support and guidance during the transition.

Link

This reminds me of Alexandre Bau and Birgitta Ralston's Transplant project that will be presented at Lift11. Transplant was born out of the frustration of working in the city, and the need for creatives to exist in an inspiring environment, in that case a remote Fjord in Norway.

Transplant is an arena for design competence located in the West coast of Norway in Dale Sunnfjord. It is a space for creative work, exchange and concrete development where arts meet industry. Transplant is used by businesses for seminars, meetings, workshops and suitable for intimate and grand occasions alike. Unique tools for design and concept development combined with the inspiring rural views available from the banks of the intimate and beautiful Dalsfjorden make it an ideal place for constructed and free thought toward individual or company goals.

Link

These projects show that the next big challenge for providers of "corporate jobs" will be to identify ways to keep the new generations interested and motivated, and to understand that money is not the only factor keeping employees happy (see Lee Bryant's recent interview on the social enterprise). While escape the city has a radical tone (get out of your job!), Transplant has a more balanced view (you could summarize it with "we give a breather to corporate workers"), both show that changes are needed inside large companies.

Companies like Google (with their famous 20% time rule) are leading the charge and try to prove that a corporate job are not necessarily a synonym for boredom and demotivation. With more or less success (see the recent brain drain), but it is great to see that new ideas are reaching this part of society who slowly but surely adapts to the new reality.