#WFH Diaries: Ben Golik of M&C Saatchi U.K.
Even as the world begins to open up amid the pandemic, most folks are still working from home. We're continuing to check in with creative professionals to see how they're faring. Here's an update from Ben Golik, chief creative officer at M&C Saatchi U.K.
Give us a one-line bio of yourself.
My name is Ben and I'm chief creative officer at M&C Saatchi while waiting for Gucci to hire me.
Where are you living right now, and who's with you?
I'm in my flat in west London with my partner, Mark. He has always worked from home and is doing absolutely fine with all of this. I've been banished to the balcony.
What's your work situation like at the moment, and how is it evolving?
Some things work better, and in many ways it is incredibly productive. The downside is whether you have a great meeting or a terrible one, you end the call and you're sitting alone. We've lost the chance to decompress together.
When you do you expect to return to the office?
The second they let me in. We refurbished our office two weeks before lockdown. On the bright side, it is still super tidy.
Describe your socializing strategy.
I'm on nodding terms with the man who polices the queue outside Tesco. I've not got into Zoom drinks or quizzes. I'm on calls all day, so the idea of more of them during my free time makes me anxious.
What are you reading?
I Should Be in Charge by Bob and Roberta Smith.
What are you watching?
Disney+ could not have launched at a better time. If they could make more Mandalorian, that'd be great thx.
What are you listening to?
"Hot Motion" by Temples. And too much royalty-free mood film music.
How are you staying fit?
I just bought a bike. It took ages to get here, but it's my new favorite accessory.
Have you taken up a hobby?
Tequila.
An awkward moment since all this started.
A major coughing fit (not Covid-19) during a pitch, when I thought I had muted myself, but sadly had not.
An aha! moment since all this started.
I've finally been forced to learn where to draw the line between work and home. A life lesson I'll hold onto.
What's your theory on how this is going to play out?
Slowly. Which hopefully gives us time to take the lessons from this, good and bad, and really think about how we live our lives and what we want out of them.
