We’re catching up with John Spence, Systems Engineer, on how life has been over the last few months and how NVT is continuing to drive innovation from home.
Can you give a description of what your role entails?
As an NVT Group Systems Engineer, I assist our service users with their IT problems. Before the pandemic, I would normally be out visiting customer sites and dealing with installs or problems that are easier to fix in person, rather than remotely.
What does your working day look like now you’re working from home?
My working day has been very different since I started working from home. Since lockdown I have been mainly working on the helpdesk as part of the normal helpdesk team. I am getting up at the same time and combining my normal working day with home schooling my two youngest daughters. At 5 & 8, I am not sure who is home schooling who!
What has been the biggest changes or challenges in your role?
Not meeting people face to face has been the biggest change and challenge. I used to spend most of my time at various different client sites every week, getting to know new clients and keeping a good relationship with our existing client base. However, using Microsoft Teams has allowed me to keep in contact with clients and it also helps to keep me connected to colleagues, even though we are all working apart at the moment.
How have you adapted to the overall change?
I think I have adapted well to the change so far. Now that some of our clients are returning to office working in some capacity, I will have to adapt to providing some services on site whilst adhering to social distancing measures. So I am continually adapting as I go!
Working remotely, how do you stay productive and connected with your team?
Using Teams has allowed all the staff to keep in touch with each other. The company holds twice weekly meetings to allow all staff to stay connected. That way we get the chance to see whoever is in the meeting and keep up with the usual banter that you normally get in work places. I still regularly speak to my colleagues outside these meetings, just to catch up and see how things have been and what the day has been like for them.
Do you have any tips for home working?
Keep active and don’t just sit at a screen all day! Take a break and catch up with others as, even during this ‘new normal’ period, time is flying past! I still can’t quite get my head around the fact that it’s approaching the end of June and this all started towards the end of March!
What are you most looking forward to in the future?
In relation to work, I’m looking forward to actually seeing people again, both at NVT and at our various client sites. Personally, I’m looking forward to getting away on trips with my wife, Diane and 2 younger kids, Amelia Mae and Annabella. Also, I can’t wait for gyms to be opened again, as it’s great training in the garden when the weather is good but not so much in the rain! And I’m also looking forward to the company 5 asides, as I’m sure the guys are missing the challenges as much as me!
WE’RE WORKING FROM HOME TO SUPPORT YOU WORKING FROM HOME.
Read more from our team on how they have been adapting to home working here.