Sample - Blog Article

Nice To (Virtually) Meet You?
Wifi? Check.
Coffee? Check.
Cozy corner with the right balance of soft sunshine floating in? Check!
I was all set to join my new organisation. Virtually!
Armed with my tools of Zoom, Google Calendar and an impulse purchase of the best-rated headphones I
could find, I was ready to make the most of this opportunity. My virtual onboarding process was seamless
with a series of zoom calls replacing handshakes and smiles. Whatsapp was my new best-friend; a
platform that helped create a warm welcoming atmosphere with all my new team-mates chiming in with
their hellos. What otherwise would have been a process of meeting and greeting was simplified into texts
and video calls - with my first focus, not being if I looked professional and held my body language well,
but rather if my voice was audible enough to be heard by everyone (easy ice breaker too! Just laugh
about your audio problems, a relatable joke, and you’ve got people laughing along with you)
The usual hunt for the secret corners, coffee shops or checking which restaurant delivered momos for
your evening snack was missed - instead I stared at the four walls of my own bedroom. The biggest
drawback - there were no tea breaks!
Having an experience of moving around the world and frequently being the ‘new girl’, it was easy to break
down the art of getting to know your new peers. First, catch them in a relaxed setting, outside the
constraints of work, which coffee time is perfect for. Second, strike up a conversation with the hottest
topic of the week, so considering this period, it could naturally be about Covid-19. The third and the final
step was key - body language! Offering to assist someone to make coffee sparks conversation naturally,
but body language helps in creating ease and comfort in talking to someone new when there is mutual
reception. Although, I missed out on the essential ‘bonding’ that takes place over evening breaks, the
Mavericks also created an after-office ‘Mavs Party’ event over zoom where we could chit-chat about
whatever we liked, and they ensured I was properly inducted into the fray with fun games and activities.
Overall, the experience so far of being inducted and working virtually has been truly unique. During this
time, the world has all come together to face an unimaginable crisis, with organisations rushing to cover
costs in this slowing economy. I was privileged to have the ability to not only join virtually, but also have it
much easier than others by living with my family at home. I know of many that have lost their jobs, have
been left stranded in cities away from home. In the current situation, I’m also thankful to The Mavericks
who were always transparent with their challenges during this period, and followed a strong sense of
ethos - to be committed to your promises even if it was difficult to keep them. Although my joining was
initially delayed by a month, I was still recruited and not turned away despite the financial constraints the
firm may have felt. The only hope is that more companies support their employees during this dire time
and encourage new hires - virtually, of course. It’s a unique experience and one of the few positives you
can find during this time. I will of course look forward to meeting my colleagues eventually, and appreciate
discussing the latest Netflix shows a bit more.
Working in the time of COVID:
As a marketing professional, I have always loved navigating the waters of the uncertain, to discover the
possibility of something new. However, when the crisis of COVID sprung up, I was taken aback and
uncertain about the future of this industry and the economy as a whole. I had just left my previous job,
excited to begin a new journey at The Mavericks, but due to lockdown measures in effect and job-cuts
across sectors, for the first time, I felt the anxiety that many faced in the country - how badly would I be
affected by this and what lies ahead?
To leave a job during a pandemic is certainly a bold thing to do, as many had told me later. I never
understood the gravitas that their words held until I faced the prospect of my future job being up-in-the-air.
I got in touch with my point of contact at the young startup, to understand the way forward and to
understand how they were dealing with the situation - with most agencies facing a significant reduction in
deliverables and delay in compensation, I knew it wouldn’t be an easy conversation. The Mavericks were
transparent with their challenges during this period, and they were transparent about it. One core
takeaway from my conversation with the team was their strong sense of ethos - to be committed to your
promises even if it was difficult to keep them. Although my joining was eventually delayed by a month, I
was still recruited and not turned away.
During times of crisis, I believe it’s important for companies to not only stay true to their principles but also
act as a critical support system for their employees. I know of many others that are facing a bleaker future
than mine, and I recognise my privilege, in being able to afford the one-month delay, with reduced costs
to manage while living with my parents in comfort. While many organisations are forced to make difficult
decisions when it comes to cutting costs, it’s imperative to factor in the contribution of the workforce. The
key learning for me has been to always look at how your employers prioritise you, to lend you support and
to always be open and transparent about decisions that affect you. There will always be the time to meet
your team, and have your chance at your second, actual onboarding.

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Nice To (Virtually) Meet You?

I was all set to join my new organisation. Virtually!

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