AdNews brings the stories of those working from home (WFH) in the advertising and media industry during the coronavirus crisis.
Lizzie McManus is head of brand experience at Bastion EBA.
How are you dealing with the silence?
I can't say I've been hit with too much silence yet. I have a national team and we actually feel more connected than ever. I spend most of the day on the phone or in Google hangs and if it's not a project WIP, it's us having a cuppa or lunch together.
I feel like most of my neighbours have taken to DIY projects during iso and also really upped the ante on the lawn mowing but I genuinely relish the sound of silence when I get it.
What’s the upside?
My daily step count is significantly up. Realising you don't need to sit at your desk every second of the day and some calls and meetings can be done on the go. The fresh air is really spurring on creativity and clarity.
Also replacing the historical afternoon caffeine hit with a quick work out is a better energy boost for me than any espresso I've found.
The downside?
I do miss the everyday office vibe, especially the more spontaneous conversations where you're riffing off each other's ideas or just chatting about cool things you've seen. We still give that a really good crack via slack and video calls though.
How are you using the commuting time saved?
My evening meals are a lot more adventurous. I'm thoroughly enjoying researching recipes and having the time to prep and plan ahead.
I am looking forward to being back in the office because…
There is a whole new level of energy when you're all in the same space. We've been able to create some cool virtual events for our clients, but I miss being out on site and seeing our physical builds come to life. Workwise for me, nothing beats watching a bunch of people thoroughly enjoying the experience you've created.
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