WFH diary: Balancing an avalanche of work calls while brainstorming with the kids

The Reprise office in Singapore is typically a very social space. It’s completely open plan, with people sitting in different places each day. Various folk from around the (parent network) IPG building are always dropping by.  It’s an open house for anyone to come in and spend some time. In contrast, the home work space is physically less social, apart from when a family member pops in for some co-brainstorming. 

Typically, at work, international calls can start any time from 6am onwards, usually taken at home.  Then drop the kids at school and in to the office for 9am.  The day consists of team, client and product status meetings. Client meetings (recently virtual), client calls.  Interviews.  Partner meetings and calls. A real mixture of home, office, and offsite locations throughout the day. When in the country I aim to be back at home by 5-6pm for the kids. International calls continue late evening, any time from 9pm to Midnight.

Brainstorming with Kasper     

How has this translated to a home office setting? Well, the internationals calls remain at home.  Everything else becomes virtual meetings.  I’ve been arranging lunch meetings with partners (in safe venues!) as an opportunity to break up the day, get out of the house, and discuss current and future plans.  The home working schedule has really changed lately, as we ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone everywhere. Constant communication with country leaders, regional teams, and helping clients with their decision making about what to do next. 

Cooking with Kasper

WFH means managing all this from home--with my wife and two children--pre-school is still open, so there is time to focus on work.  However, this could well change soon. This means balancing global and country calls/ research reading / document writing / project statuses / and emails in between early morning or late afternoon run, dinner, and bed time with kids.