Page 38 - AdNews May-June 2020

Better Workplaces
GroupM’s parent company, WPP, globally began managed remote working on March 16. Remote working was already in place well before the onset of COVID-19 but as the situation ramped up, GroupM Australia ran a remote work trial, which meant it had tested its sys- tems for heavy traffic and had processes in place to capture any access issues or challenges.
As part of its responsibility to employee health and safety, WPP AUNZ also asked everyone to complete a self-assessment of their work- space while working at home, along with resources offering useful practical advice for workstation set-up. GroupM also made it possible for all teams to relocate any critical tech and equipment such as screens, office chairs and footrests to their home.
Communication is key
“I have been impressed with the adaptability of all our agency teams to remote working and we’ll all take these behaviours with us – whatever the office of the future looks like,” says GroupM CEO Mark Lollback.
“All our agency leadership recognised from the start that this situation is difficult, and different, for everyone, and we needed to be open, honest and communicate, communicate, communicate with our people.”
There has been an acceleration of adoption of video conferencing and collaboration tools. Many teams have found more connectivity and productivity through this period and that will live on.
Everyone has had to adapt and find their own momentum and discipline that works for them and their own productivity levels. Some have found it easier to focus on projects – others less so. Many of the agencies have found dedicated “no video calls” periods in the middle of the day helps to focus on projects.
Some people are missing the banter and social and informal interaction they have in the office that can’t be captured on a video call, or over email.