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 way 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?
Definitely, 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 big a part of my life, roughly eight years, in the US, 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 job that had assorted and broad protection. This included managing social media, operating our e-newsletter, and overseeing paid social campaigns, duties aimed toward rising our viewers by way of normal progress advertising techniques and different methods. My solely function shift so far has been transferring from Viewers Marketer to Development Advertising and marketing Supervisor, and most lately promoted to Senior Development Advertising and marketing Supervisor.
I’d been acquainted with Buffer for fairly some time on account of my profession in advertising. I had come throughout their blogs and was well-acquainted with their modern strategy to work. That was at all times a robust 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 checklist, as I knew they’d a profitable distant work coverage. Upon checking their web site, they’d 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 finally shifted to the function of Senior Development Advertising and marketing Supervisor. What prompted this transition? Was it a need 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 crew lead, which immediately prompted my transfer. Nonetheless, the first driver was that this function aligned extra intently with what I’ve at all times needed to do.
I take pleasure in working creatively however inside a selected framework. I really like the thought of mixing creativity with data-informed decision-making. Whereas there have been similarities between my earlier obligations and my present function, our strategy 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 at all times identified that that is the kind of work that I take pleasure in and that makes me thrive. It was the proper mixture of getting the best individual lead the crew and my private need to discover and be taught extra on this space. There’s at all times extra to be taught and I’ve already discovered a lot since entering 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 initiatives or actions you pursue exterior of Buffer?
I’ve participated in a couple of initiatives to help bigger initiatives that buddies have been engaged on. I’ve approached these duties enthusiastically – I would not have gotten concerned if I wasn’t genuinely .
One such mission concerned a pasta restaurant. I contributed to the advertising efforts, suggested on artistic course, and in addition helped orchestrate photoshoots.
Lately, I’ve undertaken a a lot larger mission that may probably span a couple 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 getting ready for development, scheduled to start in September. I’m seeing this mission as one that may enable me to share my creativity by way of house, thus creating a spot that may promote small, cultural group residing. Provided that I have been with out a private house since early 2020, I see this mission as a method to channel my artistic energies right into a shared house for others to take pleasure in.
I might say that the pliability Buffer gives has allowed me to commit time to different passions, which could be fairly time-consuming. Touring is one in all them. I take pleasure in exploring new locations, and although I would not essentially classify it as a mission, it does take up a big quantity of my free time. However that is the place I select to dedicate my time, and I admire that my work association at Buffer facilitates this.
You are fairly the traveler. I perceive you have managed to arrange your days and weeks round your journeys. Might you share extra about your expertise as a digital nomad?
After I was job searching, one in all my prime priorities was discovering a job that allowed me to keep up a balanced way of life, with journey being a significant factor. Touring has at all times been a ardour of mine, and I discover it exhausting to think about {that a} job might prohibit that keenness. It’s unusual to me that some folks can solely afford to take two weeks off per 12 months for a visit. So, I used to be actively in search of a job that will enable me to journey and work concurrently.
Since beginning at Buffer, I’ve traveled to 13 international locations. I started in Italy and stayed there for a couple 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 way of Central America whereas working full-time.
Often, I take day without work, 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 resolve 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 go away on the finish of June for India, adopted instantly after by Nepal.
Given your distinctive schedule and work model, how do you construction your work week?
At present, I am working within the India Commonplace Time zone, and I work Mondays to Thursdays. Typically, I adhere to common work hours. I prefer 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, however it actually relies on the day. Nonetheless, since my workday is forward of most of my teammates, I prefer to work till in a while Mondays in order that I can overlap with the weekly Development Advertising and marketing assembly and be accessible if anybody wants me.
For example, I really like browsing, which is closely influenced by the climate and tides. If situations are good for browsing early within the morning, I would 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 undoubtedly benefit from the pliability, particularly when my actions are weather-dependent. The character of browsing is such that you must seize the chance when situations are proper, otherwise you may miss out. Typically, although, I want to get up a bit earlier and end my workday earlier as effectively.
How does being a part of the Development Advertising and marketing crew influence your day-to-day? Are there any particular issues or concessions you must make? For example, I do know that our buyer advocates should be on-line throughout very particular hours and have sure issues in the event that they need to take day without work. What’s it like in your facet of the Advertising and marketing crew?
As a part of the Development Advertising and marketing crew, one main consideration is that the whole crew works American hours, anyplace between the Jap and Pacific time zones. On Mondays, particularly, I’ve conferences with my supervisor and the whole crew. 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 needless to say quicker communication with my crew is feasible throughout my evenings. In distinction, my mornings are quieter, as my colleagues are largely offline at the moment. This sample is very true once I’m in Europe and Asia, the place I spend most of my time. Consequently, my mornings listed below are extra targeted on solitary work, whereas my evenings are sometimes stuffed with conferences.
Apart from time zone issues, I am conscious that if I ship a message or paperwork within the morning, I’ll probably not obtain a response till after dinnertime.
One other key side of our crew’s operation is that we work in cycles. We set mission objectives primarily based on two-week cycles. We break down initiatives into smaller duties, every becoming into a selected cycle. On the finish of every cycle, we assessment our previous progress and plan for the following cycle. This technique is restricted to us and can also be widespread 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 mirror upon. Earlier than adopting the cycle-based system, we primarily targeted on main quarterly initiatives. If there was any group, it was on a quarterly foundation, setting goals or Key Efficiency Indicators (KPIs) for the upcoming quarter. We outlined vital initiatives to ship, and after that, we’d work in the direction of finishing these throughout the given quarter.
Nonetheless, I need to say, I enormously want working in cycles over quarters. Quarters can generally really feel overly in depth, particularly whenever you’re tackling giant initiatives and must ship inside that timeframe. Up to now, I might know that there was a specific mission I needed to full by a sure date, however working backward from that deadline wasn’t at all times easy except I structured it myself.
Working in cycles with the whole crew is simpler and gratifying. Firstly of every cycle, we establish the duties wanted to progress towards the top mission. This strategy necessitates a bit extra planning, however it’s extremely useful in sustaining focus and productiveness. So, sure, I’ve discovered working in cycles to be a substantial enchancment.
Once you first started working at Buffer, was there something that caught you off guard?
Effectively, an sudden side for me was undoubtedly the four-day workweek, though we didn’t begin it till a couple 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 questioned 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 big constructive influence.
The four-day workweek has actually enhanced each my private life and work effectivity. Folks exterior Buffer are sometimes shocked and fairly impressed after they hear about it. So, that definitely was a shock that was extremely useful.
One other factor was the extent of documentation and studying concerned. It was like, “Wow, there’s loads to learn and replace!” Adapting to that was initially a bit difficult. Even now, generally, it looks like there’s an excessive amount of to digest. I imagine there may very well be some enchancment in distilling the data, maybe extracting key insights from in depth paperwork right into a handful of important bullet factors. We’ve got a wealth of data, which is nice, however there’s a lot that discovering particular objects can generally be overwhelming. That was undoubtedly a singular 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. Regardless that 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. Provided that I’ve solely been working full-time for about 4 or 5 years, I imagine there’s lots extra for me to be taught and develop into.
Buffer supplies a conducive surroundings for such progress as a result of our hiring strategy is not extreme, guaranteeing there aren’t too many layers above me. I am additionally studying an awesome deal on daily basis, 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 finally shut down, I’ve noticed vital variations. Firstly-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 help.
Talking particularly about my crew, I genuinely really feel supported by them. A profound sense of success in my life stems from the pliability Buffer supplies, backed by a robust 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 reside the life I’ve at all times dreamed of, albeit it might sound cliché. I keep in mind my time working in San Francisco, commuting over an hour every method 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 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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