Greetings from the Home Office - Episode 13: Leone Ming, Leone Ming Est.

Leone Ming, owner and managing director of the eponymous agency in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Eight employees, founded in 2001, specialized in brands. Like his entire agency, Ming is currently in his home office. Nevertheless, he visits his empty agency premises every day.

Werbewoche.ch: How long have you been in a home office?

Leone Ming: Since March 16, 2020.

Is your entire agency located in a home office?

Yes. I go to the office every day and, among other things, I also change my job from CD to "girl for everything": incoming mail, mailing, watering flowers... etc.

What all do you need to be able to do your job?

MacBook, mobile, espresso, my team zoomed and always fresh air.

Is it difficult to separate yourself enough when the children are at home?

My two children have already flown the coop. But a videotalk with them is a pleasant interlude.

Do you have home office experience or is this a first?

As an entrepreneur, it's part of the job to take work home from time to time. However, working from home to this extent is also a new experience for me.

Based on previous experience: Which processes are difficult compared to the normal everyday life of an agency?

The constructive dialog with the creation or the PM is missing. In addition, a new idea can suddenly emerge from a small talk as if from nowhere. This contact is missing.

One of our tasks is to think far ahead to come up with creative ideas for the future. The pandemic will massively change our lives, making it difficult to guess how people will "feel and think" in a few months.

Which jobs go smoothly?

Due to the technology and the access possibilities, the processes run in familiar structures. The video meetings are efficient and productive. I also sense a great willingness to help and great motivation in the team.

Is there anything that even works easier or more productively in the home office?

Due to my "open-door policy", I am often contacted by my team in the normal agency day. These "interruptions" are completely absent at the moment; that means I feel a higher efficiency because I'm not distracted. It feels more focused and productive.

What do they do to keep the ceiling from falling on your head?

Go for a jog. Play music at the relaxation desk. Cooking a lot and with variety. Keeping my team in a good mood.

As we all know, everything has its positive sides. What is it in your current home office situation?

Home office is by no means the oasis many dream of. It is certainly not suitable for every type of character. Nevertheless, I am convinced that we will emerge stronger from the crisis. For me, the absolutely positive thing is that I feel an even stronger sense of togetherness in the team despite the home office distance.

What would you like to give your colleagues in the industry to take with them through the crisis?

The C19 momentum gives work-life balance a whole new perspective. Work life and private life become blurred. This can work for a certain time. But probably not in the long run. Everyday life at the agency will be different after the crisis. I'm sure that our new working methods will open up completely new tools for creativity, and this will benefit our customers above all.

Did you face any technical issues while setting up your workstation?

Software-wise, there were no problems. The laptop screen was then already too small for me. So I reactivated an old screen at home. In addition, the chairs at home are not suitable for a whole working day.

Where have you set up?

I have two workstations. A small office desk in a separate room. But most of the time I'm at the big dining table. The space and light are more pleasant here.

What do you miss most about the physical day-to-day life at the agency?

My team. The personal contact is enormously lacking. The small talk in the hallway. The fun in the kitchen. The coffee break standing up. To fill the emptiness in the agency premises with life, I have stuck the home office photos of my employees on the respective workstations. That way, I can also give a symbolic toast to my team.