When you are a creative services agency, driven by curiosity and powered by communication and close collaboration, how do work-from-home rules and recommendations work?

Because even in 2022, we look very far away from ever returning to the well-worn routines of office life.

Rather than slow down during the pandemic, which split up the Coordinate team—in effect isolating the creative engine’s moving parts—the company had to think, act and work differently.

But the result has been we’ve never been busier, nor more connected.

The second article in this three part-series sees Coordinate team members ponder the new realities of work, home, productivity and how they’ve kept the Coordinate brand of curiosity and creativity alive during lockdown.

Jamie Wilson, Founder and Director 

How hard was it to close the office door and lock it when the first lockdown was called?

We were well prepared to move to remote working. None of us knew how it was going to go, but we had quickly set up our systems and changed the way we worked to maintain connectivity and visibility.

What thoughts went through your mind? 

What is this? Is this real? How are we going to keep everyone employed, mentally strong and secure?

It felt like a lot of pressure and overwhelming. But, I was ready to stand up and so was the team.

How do you lead through Zoom? 

I try to keep meetings short but personal.

What have been your best tools for connection with staff? 

I’m always questioning if we have it right—or what else can we do?

With more than 30 people, getting to everyone in a meaningful way has been a challenge. We created Department Leaders who connect with their teams daily via Teams and Zoom. We have daily speed WIP meetings. We introduced a weekly email to share work, client wins and send shoutouts to team members.

We’ve bought in speakers to inspire group connectivity. We’ve sent notes and food hampers to let the team know we are thinking of them (and are here). We’ve offered counselling support and just kept trying new ways to show compassion, care and connectivity.

How has the company kept its momentum? 

We’ve just never given up. It’s been a grind, but in the hardship, I think we’ve come through stronger and closer. And surprisingly, somehow, we’ve achieved growth, and done some work I’m really proud of.

What are you like working from home? 

More effective and productive.

What do you prefer about it (if anything)?

I’ve been more focussed, able to work when and how it suits me, get more sleep, make time for exercise and eat better. Not having to spend time commuting and in long meetings has given me more time to achieve better balance.

What have been the hairiest parts? 

Achieving balance between running the business, delivering work, meeting client needs and maintaining connections with the team.

In an office, it’s much easier to connect with everyone, but working remotely, it’s been a challenge I haven’t got right.

What do you put the increase in company output and work down to? 

Less travel, less meetings and less interruptions have created more time to focus and deliver.

What have you learnt about your team in lockdown? 

They’ve been the sun keeping the clouds at bay. COVID, homeschooling, illness and so many things have continued to cause adversity.

Work should be the absolute last priority. Yet, everyone has pulled together, supported one another, covered gaps, showed empathy, resilience, courage and managed to deliver world-class work. I have so much admiration and pride toward them.

What have you learnt about yourself?

I’ve learnt who I am, why I exist, what I stand for and what I want. Having time to stop has allowed me to become clearer, know my strengths, even the playing field with my weaknesses and I’ve become happier and healthier as a result.

How has it changed the way you think about future office life and staff dynamics? 

Allow people to work how, when and where they like. Work should not be a “9-5” or prescribed, it should be individualised and set by each person, not by the company.

Great work happens when people feel empowered to be true to who they are.

When you reopen that Coordinate door, what will be the biggest legacy of the past two years? 

Growth—mentally, spiritually, financially.