AdNews brings the stories of those working from home (WFH) in the advertising and media industry during the coronavirus crisis.
Rachel Page is national sales director at Verizon Media ANZ:
How are you dealing with the silence?
When I get the chance to step outside it’s definitely a lot quieter than usual. But let’s face it, we’re spending most of our time indoors and for me, well, there’s not a lot of silence inside... I manage to squeeze in a moment of quiet between 6am - 7.30am which I use to prepare for the day. Beyond that, it’s a constant hum of video calls, year 7/10 classroom chatter, the pets and deliveries!
What’s the upside?
Spending time with my two teenage daughters (although sometimes this can be a downside too), re-appreciating the value of social interactions and communication, and getting to know everyone outside of their work selves.
Our morning standup calls keep me sane and more informed than I’ve ever been, plus it’s great to start my day off with a healthy dose of laughter. Our leadership team has seen me at my best - in hair rollers with half a face of make-up and Boots (my dog) and Tomcat (my cat with no ears) running around in the background!
I’ve also got a new best mate in Les Mills - if I wasn’t able to get my daily exercise fix I wouldn’t be a great isolation partner for the family.
The downside?
When we first stepped into this slowed down COVID-19 world I definitely experienced some fear and anxiety from having to juggle parenting, teaching, leading a team remotely, as well as taking care of an aging parent.
Thankfully I was able to transition to a positive headspace fairly quickly and know that I just had to do the best I could with my circumstances. But I definitely do feel for those still struggling. I think we all miss the intensity, socialisation and high energy of our industry in its normal state.
How are you using the commuting time saved?
Pre-COVID19 I was flying up to Sydney at least once every fortnight hopping between airports, hotels, and offices and helping myself to my favourite Madame Flavour tea from the Virgin Lounge along the way.
Post-COVID19 I somehow feel busier than ever, but one upside from no commute has been discovering I live not far from Madame Tea HQ, so now I have an endless supply of tea.
I am looking forward to being back in the office because...
I miss my people! In isolation I’ve been surveying many people on various VC meetings about what they would do if they had one hour back in the ‘normal world’. It turns out it's either a trip to the pub with friends, watching/playing sport with friends, eating out with friends or cuddles, you guessed it, with friends! We really are social beings aren’t we.
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