Get inspired during ‘iso’ as we go behind-the-scenes with locals who are working from home

We are usually inundated with fabulous, colourful and glamorous socials – often too many to publish. But this edition is different. Our social pages are a true reflection of what we are all doing right now: and that’s staying home!

HELEN AUSTIN Webster Cavanagh Real Estate

It’s fairly common for real estate agents to have three offices – the agency office, the home office, and, increasingly, the car (although Jon maintains that I have a fourth office that rotates around a few of favourite coffee shops!).

I used to do most of my work at other people’s homes, now I do most of it from mine.

Working from home isn’t all that bad.

It’s given me an opportunity to establish some routines around exercise and professional development that often went by the by.

Our weekly staff meetings seem to be shorter and more focused – perhaps because we’re never certain how long everybody’s Zoom connection will stay stable.

On the downside, I’m very much a people-person and the loss of connection with people in person has been quite difficult to adjust to.

I’ve always used visual imagery in property marketing and as we were preparing for this lockdown, we conducted our own video recordings of properties that I had on the market, and still do walkthrough video sessions for all properties that I’m now listing.

So, I’m still doing much the same work as previously, just in a very different way and from a different location.

JO SHEPPARD Director, Stakeholder Engagement, Office of the Pro Vicechancellor (Engagement) at USQ

I love working from home.

I have always seen it as a luxury and somewhat of a gift.

I am more productive working from a home office and as mum to three boys, I appreciate the added efficiencies working from home can deliver across all aspects of your life!

However, adding social isolation restrictions to the equation makes this a whole different kettle of fish!

I miss my friends, my family and my favourite work, industry and community colleagues.

Zoom and Microsoft teams, while useful tools, cannot take the place of a coffee meeting, a Chamber Business @ Dusk networking event or that unofficial work meeting on the sideline at your son’s touch football game!

These are some of the things I will appreciate so more once we come out of our ‘COVID Coma’ but in the meantime, I remain positive.

I am grateful that I have a job, thankful that my family remain healthy and that my teenage sons and I are tackling this unexpected challenge of working and schooling from home – together.

JOY MINGAY Recruitment Manager, Classic Recruitment and Human Resources

I have been so busy that even working from home hasn’t changed my schedule all that much.

However, I have found that it’s a great opportunity to try new recipes.

I’m ‘home early’ so I can follow my favourite chefs and make those complicated dishes that I wouldn’t normally attempt during a busy work week.

I’m looking forward to sharing a few fabulous new finds with family and friends later in the year.

I’ve enjoyed lots of lovely catch-ups via video and phone, but I do miss seeing our clients and friends face-to-face.

AMANDA SCHMIDT Director, Kennedy Spanner Solicitors

A huge plus for working from home is that it’s much quicker to get into ‘the office’ without the daily commute.

There’s no excuse not to be on time!

But I am missing that coffee from the local cafe on the way to work. I’ve also enjoyed the more casual work attire on the days I know I won’t be video calling with anyone.

In the current times it’s also been good not to have to wash a tonne of sanitiser off your hands and arms at the end of the day.

DI BALKE Community Relations Manager, Grand Central

With technology these days, working from home is certainly easier than it would have been a few years ago.

Microsoft Teams is my new best friend! While I’m missing the social interaction, there’s something to be said for comfy clothes and minimal makeup.

And the best thing … definitely having my dogs snoring at my feet while I’m working.

Although they do occasionally demand to feature on video calls, so everyone I work with has got to know Toby and Rolly (pictured left with Di) really well.