WFH during the ECQ: KMC Savills’ Cha Carbonell, Gerold Fernando, and Michael McCullough

THE ongoing lockdown in the Philippine capital has prompted many companies to suddenly implement work from home (WFH) programs. But a few companies like real estate services firm KMC Savills had already been allowing some employees to work from home before the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), as long as key performance indicators (KPIs) were achieved.

“We’ve always had the option to do WFH with our sales team as long as they’ve hit their KPIs. Most of them are comfortable with the setup,” Cha Carbonell, KMC Savills executive director for transactions and advisory services, said in an e-mail interview with BusinessWorld.

Thanks to video chat technology, the team continues to hold meetings.

KMC Savills Managing Director Michael McCullough said they use Microsoft Teams for internal meetings and Zoom for client meetings.

“Zoom happens to be a client of ours so we’ve gotta show support,” he said.

Gerold Fernando, KMC Savills executive director for transactions and advisory services, said he’s glad for the extra hours gained from the WFH setup.

“The extra time enabled the team and our employees to complete trainings and online classes to improve in their craft,” Mr. Fernando said.

The KMC Savills discussed what it was like to work from home with BusinessWorld through e-mail interviews which have been lightly edited.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR HOME OFFICE?
Ms. Carbonell: It’s challenging though if you have kids at home. Overall, it works for us as most of our employees are acclimated with good internet and can work efficiently despite the new distractions of young family members.

Mr. Fernando: My office is virtually any part of the house that my WiFi can reach, as long as I have with me my MS Surface and my phone. I like to move around but for more formal business meetings, I take the call inside a quiet room.

WHAT DOES YOUR WORK DAY LOOK LIKE NOW?
Ms. Carbonell: Most days are office hours but some days I start late since it’s easier to work once it’s quiet. It’s more peaceful with less distractions for more focused work.

Mr. Fernando: The day itself starts at the same time but taking away the commute to the office means you can relax the pace. There is more time to enjoy the morning coffee and even cook breakfast.

ARE YOUR WORK HOURS EVEN MORE FLUID NOW THAN BEFORE?
Ms. Carbonell: We’ve had employees who respond to clients immediately despite time zone difference and we’ve always been flexible with time-zones and adjust it based on our client needs. There’s definitely more time for e-mails, paperwork and updating databases, upgrading processes and looking into how we can be more efficient as a team during the lockdown.

DO YOU HAVE BREAKS AT HOME?
Ms. Carbonell: Whether or not you have kids at home, it’s important to have breaks. In my case not so much watching TV but getting up and addressing domestic issues at home and paying attention to what your kids do. As a parent you don’t want to be physically present but mentally and emotionally absent for eight to nine straight hours a day. Facebook and LinkedIn are sites to visit intermittently throughout the day.

Mr. Fernando: If there is a big gap in between meetings, a few laps in the pool helps clear the mind and prepare for the next. And sometimes I play a quick online game with the kids.

WHAT’S YOUR WFH OUTFIT?
Ms. Carbonell: I put on a jacket, but I am always in my home clothes

Mr. Fernando: I put on comfy clothes — shorts and white T-shirt. Why a white T-shirt? A business shirt is easy to wear on top when you have a video call. Obviously, the shorts are kept since they’re not captured by the camera.

ANY INTERESTING STORIES FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE IN WORKING FROM HOME?
Ms. Carbonell: I am learning how to make face masks. I got a sewing machine. Sometimes I make doll clothes for my girls. It’s a good way for me to disconnect and to keep myself sane during the ECQ. With my group of friends, we’ve started a series of trivia nights through Zoom that keeps all of us entertained.

Mr. Fernando: I’ve learned to cook. Having limited access to restaurants and avoiding food deliveries gave me the motivation to make home cooked meals. I realized it is actually easier, especially when you have access to YouTube recipes.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM WORKING FROM HOME?
Mr. McCullough: Pretty sure the home office will be a future MUST HAVE in residential designs moving forwards. Whether luxury condos or mid-high end townhouses, the home office will be given it’s dedicated and much needed space and privacy.

Ms. Carbonell: Companies in the future will be more flexible with work arrangements of employees. Connectivity, measuring productivity, motivating your team and coming up with fun ways to keep connected and engaged are crucial things to consider in WFH setups. — Cathy Rose A. Garcia