Justin Graham at home.
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.
Justin Graham, Group CEO at M&C Saatchi Group AUNZ:
I've been ramping up my morning runs (or any time of the day really), although the running event I'm aiming for is in Queenstown NZ at the end of the year so there's no promise that I'll be able to get over there! So, I get dressed in my running kit and hit the pavement, before picking up a coffee on the way home and preparing for the day ahead in my home office. My WFH attire is almost identical to my normal office wear, definitely lots of routine in there. Always shoes under the desk, and pants for that matter... The last couple of weeks has seen the occasional baseball cap thrown on, seeing as it's been a while since the last haircut.
I find the home coffee machine to be one of my favourite colleagues these days, again fairly consistent with what I would normally consume. A friend runs a great Sydney roaster, Paradox Coffee, so they are keeping me well stocked with new blends. I am also subscribing more to the practice of letting your energy levels drive your work hours, as opposed to the normal business calendar. For me it's a big session in the morning, walking and phone calls in the early afternoon and then my best focus late afternoon into the early evening. As I sit on our Global Exec Team, the end of day focus works well with the timezone for UK morning meetings.
Key indoor distractions include my daughters needing urgent drawing supplies from under my desk and my new assumed role of Graham household 'tech support' for home schooling. Outside distractions have been the solid run of South swell over the last few months. Living on Sydney's northern beaches, there is a great sense of community through a lockdown, primarily centred around the water.
The upside to WFH is definitely getting to experience the hallway chats and random encounters with my three girls in daylight hours instead of the commute. Not necessarily more time with them, just more organic interactions which is brilliant.
Downside being that no one cares about your sneakers on Zoom calls.
In all seriousness, it is a challenging time. It's important that we all acknowledge that. I am talking a lot about it on our work calls, and asking all the M&C'ers to give themselves permission to work at their own pace. Everyone will go through different phases during this time of uncertainty however I have no doubt some good will come from all of this, and that we will emerge with a shared sense of achievement as we move through to the next chapter.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
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