Video Interview Part 3: Adapting to the New Normal

Interview: EI & Citrix

Tony Jarvis, Managing Director at EI, speaks to Rachel Teare, Senior Director High Touch & High Reach Marketing at Citrix, about adapting to the new normal.

Key Takeaways from Citrix's Rachel Teare:

Though Citrix have historically been used to a hybrid working environment, the realities of what has happened over the last 12 months has been totally different to what anyone could have expected.
Citrix have had to step up conversations around mental health and wellbeing, and address these issues in a proactive manner. It has become abundantly clear over the last year that making sure your team is well is a crucial part of being a good manager and leader.
Mental first-aiders have been introduced - people who are carefully trained to connect those seeking help with the right individuals or organisations who can provide it.
The marketing organisation have also introduced Focus Fridays, effectively removing any internal meetings and calls from employees' Friday schedules. While initial reaction was fearful that 5 days of work would have to be squeezed into 4, the reality has been that Focus Fridays provided important breathing space. Being empowered to decline meetings, have time to catch up on emails and projects and clear desks before the weekend, and having space to upskill and train has been really beneficial and empowering for colleagues.
Friday afternoons remain a safe space for this even as Citrix move out of the pandemic.
Implementing walking meetings and using tools such as Bullet Journal have also allowed colleagues to get some oxygen (literally) into their days, and make sure that the important and the urgent are balanced appropriately.