AdNews last year launched the WFH Diaries during the depths of the fallout from the pandemic, a way of sharing how people managed their days.
This time, with lockdown running again, we're asking for a run down on how everyone likes to start their day working from home. Some dress to impress, others slip on the t-shirt. And everyone has their own way to carve the day into manageable chunks.
Josh Halling, NOVA Entertainment’s Sales Director Direct & Independent Agency Sales Sydney & Melbourne:
My alarm goes off at 6am. She is two years old, and easily heard from two rooms away. Occasionally my alarm malfunctions and goes off at 5am. I complain directly to the manufacturer (lying next to me in bed). She places my call in a queue, tells me there will be an extended wait time. I choose not to wait and face the music.
The air con is pre-programmed over-night, so we start the day at the right room temperature, and assuming we’re not out of Weetbix or bananas, we have a relatively frictionless first few moments. Whilst Mackenzie is dancing in the lounge room, I sneak into the kitchen and greet the Sunbeam Barista Max. The coffee is delivered fortnightly from Skittle Lane. Bless those guys, I imagine they’ve been doing it tough after an ill-timed CBD store opening just prior to lockdown. Their business might be hurting, but their coffee beans show no sign.
This routine only occurs on the mornings I’m not on the golf course. An early tee time and a cart means 18 holes are entirely possible without interrupting the workday. I refuse to take calls or check emails during golf. They will be the first thing I blame after my drive sails out-of-bounds.
Little to no consideration is given to work attire. I keep a shirt on the back of the chair, to change into when necessary. Time typically spent planning suit-and-commute is redirected to nutrition. When else in your life will you get the chance to do a WIP via Teams while in the kitchen cooking a schnitzel? I take advantage of this unique opportunity. Our Group Commercial Director, my boss, is now surprised when we connect, and I am NOT eating. It shows the importance of setting the expectation. And consistency.
And amongst all of that? Around a dozen Teams calls give or take. Our leadership group come together every single day without fail. We connect with our people frequently, often the connection itself being the priority more so than the work. We do likewise with our customers. And of course, we plan the next virtual… something for our people. Virtual pub trivia hosted by Fitzy & Wippa. Virtual Quickdraw with Kate, Tim & Joel. Virtual Team Meet, Pilates, meditation, work-out... but not between 3pm-4pm, when we now commit to an hour a day of no internal emails or appointments.
From there, a precise countdown until the clock touches a socially acceptable time to visit the wine fridge. That’s why the creative stuff should be scheduled late afternoon… mid-afternoon… from lunchtime onwards.
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