Meet Sophie, a Senior Development Advertising and marketing Supervisor at Buffer and digital nomad. Her story is a riveting mix {of professional} progress, distant work challenges, and an infectious zest for all times. Strap in as we journey by means of time zones, and share advertising insights all from Sophie’s ‘workplace’—the world.
Might you introduce your self, share what you do at Buffer, and inform us about your background?
Actually, I’m Sophie Gil, a Senior Development Advertising and marketing Supervisor at Buffer, and I have been at Buffer for over three years, beginning in April 2020.
I am primarily based in Sri Lanka, however my roots are in Italy. I spent a major a part of my life, roughly eight years, in america, having moved there once I was simply 17.
How did you get began working at Buffer?
My profession at Buffer started as an Viewers Marketer, a task that had diverse and broad protection. This included managing social media, working our e-newsletter, and overseeing paid social campaigns, duties aimed toward rising our viewers by means of normal progress advertising techniques and different methods. My solely function shift so far has been shifting from Viewers Marketer to Development Advertising and marketing Supervisor, and most lately promoted to Senior Development Advertising and marketing Supervisor.
I’d been accustomed to Buffer for fairly some time on account of my profession in advertising. I had come throughout their blogs and was well-acquainted with their revolutionary method to work. That was all the time a powerful attraction for me.
After I was job searching in early 2020, even earlier than the pandemic, I had already determined to pursue solely distant roles. Buffer was on the prime of my record, as I knew that they had a profitable distant work coverage. Upon checking their web site, that they had a few open roles at the moment, and one appeared to align completely with my talent set, which led to my journey right here.
Coming in as an Viewers Marketer along with your broad expertise, you ultimately shifted to the function of Senior Development Advertising and marketing Supervisor. What prompted this transition? Was it a want to construct experience elsewhere, or was it only a higher match?
The transition was largely impressed by two key elements. The primary was the recruitment of a staff lead, which instantly prompted my transfer. Nonetheless, the first driver was that this function aligned extra intently with what I’ve all the time needed to do.
I get pleasure from working creatively however inside a selected framework. I like the thought of mixing creativity with data-informed decision-making. Whereas there have been similarities between my earlier tasks and my present function, our method has now advanced right into a extra experimental course of.
This transition to Senior Development Advertising and marketing Supervisor was extra about aligning with my profession aspirations and pursuits. I’ve all the time recognized that that is the kind of work that I get pleasure from and that makes me thrive. It was the proper mixture of getting the fitting individual lead the staff and my private want to discover and be taught extra on this space. There’s all the time extra to be taught and I’ve already realized a lot since moving into this new function.
That sounds nice. Stepping exterior the scope of Buffer for a second, how has working remotely and having versatile work preparations supported any tasks or actions you pursue exterior of Buffer?
I’ve participated in a number of tasks to assist bigger tasks that pals had been engaged on. I’ve approached these duties enthusiastically – I would not have gotten concerned if I wasn’t genuinely .
One such undertaking concerned a pasta restaurant. I contributed to the advertising efforts, suggested on artistic path, and likewise helped orchestrate photoshoots.
Not too long ago, I’ve undertaken a a lot greater undertaking that can possible span a number of years – I purchased a plot of land with a home in Sri Lanka and plan to remodel it right into a boutique resort. I’m within the technique of conceptualizing the model and making ready for development, scheduled to start in September. I’m seeing this undertaking as one that can enable me to share my creativity by means of house, thus creating a spot that can promote small, cultural neighborhood dwelling. On condition that I have been with no private residence since early 2020, I see this undertaking as a solution to channel my artistic energies right into a shared house for others to get pleasure from.
I’d say that the flexibleness Buffer gives has allowed me to dedicate time to different passions, which will be fairly time-consuming. Touring is one among them. I get pleasure from exploring new locations, and although I would not essentially classify it as a undertaking, it does take up a major quantity of my free time. However that is the place I select to dedicate my time, and I respect that my work association at Buffer facilitates this.
You are fairly the traveler. I perceive you’ve got managed to prepare your days and weeks round your journeys. Might you share extra about your expertise as a digital nomad?
After I was job searching, one among my prime priorities was discovering a task that allowed me to keep up a balanced way of life, with journey being a significant factor. Touring has all the time been a ardour of mine, and I discover it arduous to think about {that a} job may limit that keenness. It’s unusual to me that some folks can solely afford to take two weeks off per yr for a visit. So, I used to be actively searching for a job that will enable me to journey and work concurrently.
Since beginning at Buffer, I’ve traveled to 13 nations. I started in Italy and stayed there for a number of months. In September 2020, I first visited Portugal and fell in love with the place. Initially planning to remain for one month, I ended up staying from September until December. From there, I spent about eight months touring by means of Central America whereas working full-time.
Sometimes, I take day off, particularly once I’m heading to a spot the place the web won’t be dependable. If I am actually keen to go to such a location, I determine to take a while off. After my Central America stint, I returned to Europe for a bit, touring between Portugal, Spain, France, and Greece, then spent one other three months in Colombia, Puerto Rico and revisited Mexico for a pal’s wedding ceremony.
I’ve now began my journey all through Asia. I’ve been in Sri Lanka for the previous 4 months and plan to depart on the finish of June for India, adopted instantly after by Nepal.
Given your distinctive schedule and work fashion, how do you construction your work week?
Presently, I am working within the India Normal Time zone, and I work Mondays to Thursdays. Usually, I adhere to common work hours. I wish to get up round 7:00 AM and begin my work day round 8:30 or 9:00 AM. I work till 7:00 PM on the newest, nevertheless it really relies on the day. Nonetheless, since my workday is forward of most of my teammates, I wish to work till afterward Mondays in order that I can overlap with the weekly Development Advertising and marketing assembly and be obtainable if anybody wants me.
As an illustration, I like browsing, which is closely influenced by the climate and tides. If circumstances are good for browsing early within the morning, I’d head out and return by 10:00 AM. In such instances, I regulate my work hours accordingly, maybe working later into the night or beginning earlier to make up for the time.
I positively benefit from the flexibleness, particularly when my actions are weather-dependent. The character of browsing is such that you must seize the chance when circumstances are proper, otherwise you may miss out. Usually, although, I favor to get up a bit earlier and end my workday earlier as properly.
How does being a part of the Development Advertising and marketing staff impression your day-to-day? Are there any particular concerns or concessions you must make? As an illustration, I do know that our buyer advocates should be on-line throughout very particular hours and have sure concerns in the event that they wish to take day off. What’s it like in your aspect of the Advertising and marketing staff?
As a part of the Development Advertising and marketing staff, one main consideration is that your complete staff works American hours, anyplace between the Japanese and Pacific time zones. On Mondays, particularly, I’ve conferences with my supervisor and your complete staff. These conferences often fall round 8 to 9 PM my time, when my US-based teammates are additionally on-line.
All through the week, I understand that quicker communication with my staff is feasible throughout my evenings. In distinction, my mornings are quieter, as my colleagues are largely offline at the moment. This sample is particularly true once I’m in Europe and Asia, the place I spend most of my time. Consequently, my mornings listed here are extra centered on solitary work, whereas my evenings are sometimes stuffed with conferences.
Except for time zone concerns, I am conscious that if I ship a message or paperwork within the morning, I’ll possible not obtain a response till after dinnertime.
One other key facet of our staff’s operation is that we work in cycles. We set undertaking objectives primarily based on two-week cycles. We break down tasks into smaller duties, every becoming into a selected cycle. On the finish of every cycle, we evaluation our previous progress and plan for the subsequent cycle. This technique is particular to us and can be frequent throughout the Engineering, Product, and Design (EPD) groups.
How totally different is it for you, working in cycles in comparison with your earlier workflow?
That is attention-grabbing to replicate upon. Earlier than adopting the cycle-based system, we primarily centered on main quarterly tasks. If there was any group, it was on a quarterly foundation, setting aims or Key Efficiency Indicators (KPIs) for the upcoming quarter. We outlined vital tasks to ship, and after that, we’d work in the direction of finishing these inside the given quarter.
Nonetheless, I need to say, I drastically favor working in cycles over quarters. Quarters can typically really feel overly intensive, particularly while you’re tackling giant tasks and must ship inside that timeframe. Up to now, I would know that there was a specific undertaking I needed to full by a sure date, however working backward from that deadline wasn’t all the time easy until I structured it myself.
Working in cycles with your complete staff is simpler and gratifying. In the beginning of every cycle, we establish the duties wanted to progress towards the tip undertaking. This method necessitates a bit extra planning, nevertheless it’s extremely helpful in sustaining focus and productiveness. So, sure, I’ve discovered working in cycles to be a substantial enchancment.
While you first started working at Buffer, was there something that caught you off guard?
Effectively, an surprising facet for me was positively the four-day workweek, though we didn’t begin it till a number of months after I joined. So when Buffer launched it as a pilot, I used to be intrigued but in addition a bit skeptical. With all of the work I had, I puzzled how I used to be supposed to suit all the pieces into simply 4 days? However as I tailored to this schedule and optimized my workflow, it made a major constructive impression.
The four-day workweek has really enhanced each my private life and work effectivity. Folks exterior Buffer are sometimes greatly surprised and fairly impressed once they hear about it. So, that definitely was a shock that was extremely helpful.
One other factor was the extent of documentation and studying concerned. It was like, “Wow, there’s rather a lot to learn and replace!” Adapting to that was initially a bit difficult. Even now, typically, it appears like there’s an excessive amount of to digest. I consider there might be some enchancment in distilling the data, maybe extracting key insights from intensive paperwork right into a handful of important bullet factors. We’ve got a wealth of knowledge, which is nice, however there’s a lot that discovering particular objects can typically be overwhelming. That was positively a novel expertise in comparison with my earlier roles.
Do you think about your self professionally profitable or on the trail towards such success?
I see many alternatives for progress in my function. I definitely do not feel like I’ve hit any partitions; there’s nonetheless a lot for me to be taught and develop. Although I am at a extra senior degree now, I am conscious I can go farther; I am not at a C-suite degree or a director, as an illustration. On condition that I’ve solely been working full-time for about 4 or 5 years, I consider there’s a lot extra for me to be taught and develop into.
Buffer offers a conducive setting for such progress as a result of our hiring method is not extreme, making certain there aren’t too many layers above me. I am additionally studying an amazing deal every single day, and being distant hasn’t hindered this course of in any respect.
If I evaluate my expertise at Buffer with my earlier job at a quickly rising start-up, which ultimately shut down, I’ve noticed vital variations. In the beginning-up, I used to be extra harassed and hesitant to ask for assist, as everybody was scrambling to attain their particular person duties. At Buffer, nonetheless, we strongly promote progress and mutual assist.
Talking particularly about my staff, I genuinely really feel supported by them. A profound sense of success in my life stems from the flexibleness Buffer offers, backed by a powerful bond of belief between the corporate and its staff. I deeply care about Buffer and my work, which could make my expertise distinctive.
Along with my work, I additionally worth my life exterior of labor. Buffer’s flexibility permits me to dwell the life I’ve all the time dreamed of, albeit it might sound cliché. I bear in mind my time working in San Francisco, commuting over an hour every solution to the workplace, and coping with hefty rents. Now, I can work from my very own house, save time, and focus higher. Financially, I am now not burdened by San Francisco rents and may make investments that cash in touring, studying new languages, and extra. I discover it fairly cool to stability all these enriching experiences whereas nonetheless being a part of an organization and persevering with to be taught.
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