SiiLA PODCAST: Who wins the future of work model debate—remote, on-site, or hybrid?

In Episode 7 of the SiiLA PODCAST, Tiago Alves (IWG) explains how leadership, trust, and decentralization are shaping the future of work and reshaping the corporate real estate market.

Tiago Alves and Giancarlo Nicastro during the recording of the SiiLA PODCAST

By: SiiLA News

09/02/2025

The debate about the future of work goes far beyond choosing between remote or on-site models. For Tiago Alves, CEO Brazil at IWG — the group that owns Spaces and Regus — the hybrid model has consolidated as the new reality, demanding from companies a new approach to leadership, clear communication, and trust in employees.

In an interview for the SiiLA PODCAST, airing this Tuesday (09/02), Alves highlighted how the post-pandemic uncertainties accelerated cultural and real estate transformations that are unlikely to be reversed. “Flexibility, once gained, never goes backwards. The future is simply work. We won’t need to classify it as hybrid, remote, or on-site anymore: each company will have its own model, as long as it works for employees, clients, and the business,” he stated.

Among the main challenges, he points to leadership as a critical issue. Many companies still operate under the “command and control” model, while the current logic demands trust in employees and adaptation to different profiles. “If you don’t trust an employee to work from home, they’re not fit to be in your office either. Hybrid work is, above all, about trust,” he said. This paradigm shift also brings tangible productivity gains. According to the CEO, by avoiding commuting, a professional can save up to 240 hours per year — the equivalent of a month and a half of effective work. “That represents nearly 10% more productivity, directly impacting business results,” he added.

Mobility, corporate culture, and decentralization

The discussion around hybrid work also exposes structural issues in large cities. Tiago mentioned São Paulo as an example, where about four million people commute daily from the East Zone to the city center. For him, this urban model is unsustainable and highlights the need to decentralize offices. “People no longer want to waste hours in traffic. We’re growing outside the obvious: East Zone, Osasco, Santo André, Alphaville, Campinas, and many other regions. Coworking spaces near home are no longer a trend—they’ve become a necessity,” he affirmed.

This movement has driven IWG’s accelerated expansion. Today, the company has 84 locations in Brazil, with plans to surpass 100 by the end of 2025, in addition to being present in 126 countries. Part of this growth comes from entering shopping malls, taking advantage of areas previously intended for retail, which now find a new purpose in coworking. “Shopping malls are a winning move because they already provide location, security, parking, and amenities that companies want for their employees. It’s a win-win for everyone,” he explained.

Coworking as a complement to the office market

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Alves stresses that coworking is not a direct competitor to traditional offices but rather a complement. “Just as private cars didn’t eliminate ride-hailing apps, conventional offices won’t eliminate coworking. What will happen is that every modern building will have a flexible space,” he said. The expectation is that, in the future, about one-third of commercial buildings will incorporate flexible work areas—whether operated by major providers, building owners, or even large tenants.

Despite crises faced by other global players in the sector, Tiago emphasizes that coworking has proven resilient and continues to grow in Brazil, with double-digit expansion rates since 2016. “Coworking is the new office economy. It offers flexible terms, reduces upfront investment, fosters networking, and delivers efficiency. It’s not the future—it’s already the present of the corporate market,” he concluded.

The full episode with Tiago Alves is now available on the main audio and video platforms. Press play!

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About the SiiLA PODCAST

Hosted by Giancarlo Nicastro, CEO of SiiLA, the SiiLA PODCAST brings together the industry’s leading executives and decision-makers to explore the strategies, trends, and transformations shaping the Latin American real estate market.

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Founded in 2015, SiiLA is the industry leading REsource for comprehensive commercial real estate market insights, news and events across Latin America. The SiiLA suite of innovative products drive greater accuracy, efficiency, and strategic advantages for top players in the commercial real estate industry.