Codie SanchezFounder @ Contrarian Thinking

The Remote vs Office Math

16 Jan 2026 · 1 min

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Codie Sanchez argues that in-person work produces substantially greater financial returns than remote work. She cites a study finding face-to-face promotion requests were "34 times more effective" than Zoom requests, and references Facebook economists who analyzed "21 billion friendships" to link in-person social ties with greater wealth. She states her company, Contrarian, requires in-person work so employees earn more.

Questions this video answers

34 times more effective.

21 billion friendships.

January 16, 2026.

Chapters

A fascinating study showed why you might make way more money if you are in person than remote and why Zooms may be stealing all of your paycheck. They took thousands of interactions for a promotion from a face to face request and compared them to Zoom requests the face to face 34 times more effective. Literally the more times people got on Zoom to ask, the less money that they made. The research backs it up. Patents likely to cite nearby patents Facebook economists analyzed 21 billion friendships and found that those who had a lot of friends in person, they were wealthier. So screens give you information but rooms they make you money in rooms. The ideas move faster, trust forms quicker, momentum sticks. It's also harder to say no to somebody when they're right in front of your face. That's why my company Contrarian thinking we're all in person, no remote. That's because I want my people to make so much money it makes all of their friends uncomfortable.