Greetings from the home office - Episode 8: Michi Frank, Goldbach

Michi Frank has been working in the Swiss media industry since 1983. His career has taken him from Publicitas, Tages-Anzeiger, Cash, Belcom to Radio 24 and Tele Züri (then Tele 24). Since 2001, he has held various top management positions at Goldbach and has been CEO of the Goldbach Group since 2014..

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

Michi Frank: I have been in the home office since March 14, 2020. So I have just finished my first week.

Is your entire company in a home office?

Yes, Goldbach works remotely. Thanks to our laptops and cell phones, we're not tied to one location, and with today's technology using Google Hangout, meetings can easily be held virtually. Our colleagues in Vienna, Munich and Berlin also adhere to local regulations and stay at home.

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

Not at all. I also work from home from time to time during "normal" times and was therefore prepared.

Where have you set up?

I have retreated to a room where I can talk on the phone, hangout and write mails without being disturbed.

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

Laptop, cell phone, WiFi and the necessary software to be able to contact the outside world.

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

My children are already big and studying hard for university. We let each other work in peace.

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

As I said, I also often work from home. That's how I know the home office. Of course, not in the form we have it now: indefinitely. But that's the same for everyone.

Based on initial experience: Which processes are difficult compared to normal everyday work?

Actually, everything works out very well.

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

The coffee maker!

Should the home office phase last longer: What do you do to keep the ceiling from falling on your head?

That will not happen. My dog Emilio will save me from that.

What do you miss most about the physical workday?

I miss the direct contact with my employees, customers and partners. Of course, this is a privation, but I can very well do without it out of solidarity with my fellow human beings. I appeal to everyone to abide by the FOPH's rules and show respect, because only together can we get through this phase. Now everyone has to contribute something and simply do without things.

Do you think your company will come out of the crisis unscathed?

The TX Group as well as Goldbach are struggling with the situation. Many customers are unsettled or have no reason to book advertising at the moment. But we are of course looking for individual solutions for our customers, so that together we can emerge from the crisis stronger. Ideas and creativity are needed now. Complaining won't help at all.

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

My dog Emilio is especially happy about this situation: He hasn't been together with me so often for a long time. And that makes me happy too, of course!

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

In these difficult times, we all need to pull together and look for solutions. Short-time work is there to safeguard our jobs for the future. By the way, I think it's great how Switzerland is reacting. Solidarity is now required from each and every one of us. We are all in the same boat. Now we have to stand even closer together as an industry and help each other.