AdNews brings the stories of those working from home (WFH) in the advertising and media industry during the coronavirus crisis.
Luke Williams is managing director of Australia and New Zealand at Lotame.
How are you dealing with the silence?
I am not experiencing silence. Like many Australians we have been asked to not only change our work routines and habits but, to also become teachers. I have four children, all at different stages of life. Four, six, seven and nine; three boys and one gorgeous girl. Myself and my wife take turns to set their work, walk them through their tasks and ensure they have completed everything. While acting as the educators of the house, we then have to work in our day to day roles. As managing director, I am in charge of new and current business. I am on the phone and Zoom calls most of the day with sporadic interruptions from the kids…. “Are these calculations, right?” and “What colour square should it be?”
What’s the upside?
The upside is time, I have more of it because I do not have to commute, I do not have to travel to meetings, and I find internal meetings shorter too. On average I seem to save three and a half to four hours a day just on this.
The downside?
Face to face. This seems to be the tradeoff, more time but less face to face with people you know and as we all know, seeing someone in person can be the make or break of a deal.
How are you using the commuting time saved?
I use the time planning the kids’ day. Ensuring that they have the right work and enough of it so that I can get on with my job. I also use the time I have been given back to exercise and cooking healthy food ready for the week. Being essentially locked away I find these things help all of us. Lastly, I see more of my family. I have the opportunity to spend more quality time with the kids and my wife.
I am looking forward to being back in the office because…
I have adapted to my current setting as a “work from home employee,” but Lotame has always been a progressive and flexible company that encouraged such arrangements. This has made it easier for me to transition over during this time of lockdown. I will however look forward to having more quiet time and clarity during my working day with no interruptions from kids. As much as I adore them, most of the time.
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