AdNews brings the stories of those working from home (WFH) in the advertising and media industry during the coronavirus crisis.
Lucy Billington is group marketing director at M&C Saatchi in Sydney.
How are you dealing with the silence?
Silence? There is no such thing in my house. Ever. (See behind me on our management meeting call)
I have an eight and a four-year-old, and have brought them up to self-isolate in Queensland at my parent’s place. They have more entertainment (a pool, a boat and a backyard - none of which I have in a terrace), I have someone else to lend a hand – plus they’re a whole lot more patient with homeschooling. Lucky grandparents.
But I know what you mean. And the lack of social engagement can be tough.
Funnily enough, I think I feel it more on the weekends than I do mid-week! With weekdays full of video calls and check-ins from people all across our business I actually feel like right now we’re having more conversations that demonstrate a deeper interest and care for each other.
What’s the upside? The downside?
The upside is that social connection. People are spending time engaging and being vulnerable in their answers.
This week, we had a pitch with a strategist from Melbourne, creatives in Sydney and me in QLD. As a team, we always knew no-one would know the difference, but for the first time ever no-one (client or otherwise) even asked. So it seems now, with more than 400 “offices” in ANZ we have finally become borderless. May this live far into the future.
I also see the positive in the fact no one knows how long it will last. It gives the whole country a feeling of being in something together and brings with it patience, understanding and kindness that isn’t always present.
I’m generally a pretty positive person, so I hope the upsides will be many as we continue on our journeys… some for the industry, but probably more for us as individuals.
The downside will be the economic effect we will all feel sooner or later, if not already. Most importantly, what that means for our people, their lives and the stress we will all feel because of it.
How are you using the commuting time saved?
This week my commute has been taken up by the cosmos stealing an hour of my time which means meetings start VERY early up here (what’s with Queensland not agreeing with daylight savings?) … although next week it will be pilates.
Best-laid plans.
I am looking forward to being back in the office because …
We are an industry of extroverts, and whilst I am not the most extreme, I will forever now appreciate the little things. The 50 pop-by-my-desk chats a day, the (often insightful) conversations in the hallways and kitchens, and being able to have a delicious family lunch every day – without cooking it myself.
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