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27-03-2020

To embark on a new assignment remotely

Just when Anna Dittmer was about to embark on her new assignment came the recommendations on homework. What is it like to start a new assignment on a new company under these conditions?

Anna DittmerAnna Dittmer

Author: Anna Dittmer

I have a job as project manager at The Absolut Company, focusing on business development for the "Ready To Drink" segment. By this is meant drinks that are pre-mixed and have a low alcohol content. The assignment also includes reviewing which packages are best suited, and finding new future packaging solutions.

This is the first time I've gone on an assignment where I basically work remotely from day 1. Thankfully I had the opportunity to be in the office for two days and get the job computer before the decision on homework came.

In normal cases, you usually get introduced and presented to the teams and stakeholders to work with in the physical office, and often you have spontaneous “learn-feel-coffee / lunch / meetings”. But since it was not possible under the circumstances, I simply called many to present myself and my assignment. I feel that it worked well and that you appreciated the conversation. It also gets a little more social talk than it usually does. After the first phone call, it is easier to book a virtual meeting. The use of Teams has really impacted, even those who did not use it before do so now.

My team has a joint volunteer morning coffee every day 9-9.30. We have no agenda but talk about everything that is relevant - both in terms of work and in private. Everyone is encouraged to have the camcorder on and it makes a big difference. Some called in earlier but it doesn't really get the same when you don't see each other. At first, it may feel a bit uncomfortable to see yourself in the camera, but you get used to it.

Since The Absolut Company is a global organization, many of the companies I work with are located in different regions and countries, this is an organization that is used to working remotely. Physical meetings and workshops have been replaced by virtual meetings instead. The advantage of people traveling less is that they are easier to reach each other and book meetings.

What one loses in distance work is the informal information at the coffee machine. I believe that social conversation and informal structures are of great importance for both work and job satisfaction. There is a lot of information that puts things in a context that may not really come out otherwise.

There are some things that I think we need to pay attention to are:

  • Everyday exercise - we need to keep in mind even when we work from home. Take breaks and go for a walk.
  • The job and the private are intertwined - it is important to make clear boundaries between the roles.
  • Ergonomics - our homes are usually not ergonomically designed so we need to think about how we sit or stand.

Home Office Bonus:

  • I have children who are still in school. Since both me and my husband work from home and do not have to commute, we have more time for the children and a slower pace, especially in the morning as we can now have a shared breakfast even during the weekdays.
  • I've also had the luxury of being served home-cooked dinner at my desk during an ongoing evening meeting with people in other time zones.