Greetings from the home office - Episode 15: Claudia Lässer, Teleclub

Claudia Lässer is Head of Teleclub Sport, Teleclub Zoom and Bluewin, as well as a member of the Executive Board. The 43-year-old also regularly hosts the show "Zoom Persönlich," in which she talks to personalities from the worlds of entertainment, sports, business and politics about their professional and private fortunes. Claudia Lässer is married and the mother of a daughter.

Werbewoche.ch: How long have you been in a home office?

Claudia Lässer: I've been in my home office for two weeks now. In my role as head of Teleclub Sport, Teleclub Zoom and Bluewin, there are certain tasks for me, especially with regard to productions, that can't be done from home. That's why I can be found in the office in Volketswil from time to time - luckily I live very close by. But I spend most of my working time in my home office.

Is your entire company in a home office?

Approximately 87 of the 93 employees are in a home office. Our Bluewin editorial team, for example, can work from the home office without any problems. And other areas of TV production, such as program planning, program coordination, etc., are also mainly at home. Occasionally, however, it is necessary to work in our studios and production facilities in order to finalize broadcasts or add sound. From time to time, we also record programs in the studio. Naturally, this is done in compliance with all BAG guidelines. The Corona crisis is currently giving us time and a clear head to conceive various new formats. Degree concept work can easily be done from home. We have already implemented some of them, such as the talk show "Teleclub skypt" or the magazine show "Dein Verein".

Did you face any technical issues while setting up your workstation?

No, this actually went off without a hitch. Teleclub Programm AG - as well as the entire Cinetrade - is top-equipped in terms of IT. Everyone works on Sharepoint, and luckily we've been switching to Skype and Microsoft Teams for some time now!

Where have you set up?

We live in a beautifully converted farmhouse, the kitchen and living room are open and loft-like. So I have a wonderful view from my workplace in the direction of Lake Greifen and the mountains. I enjoy it immensely to be able to work with such a view. It's particularly easy for me to be creative here. It is very enriching. Actually, almost nicer than in the office... (laughs)

What all do you need to be able to do your job?

I need communication tools like Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams to stay in touch with my team. At the same time, it's precisely these tools that I find a little exhausting in the long term: I sit in calls for a very long time every day, during which - frankly speaking - I miss the personal exchange very much. I notice that communication is more difficult, because some information is more easily lost without personal contact.

Is it difficult to separate yourself enough when the children are at home?

I really find this a great challenge and admire all those who are currently able to reconcile children and job in a home office. I find it very difficult to work and do justice to the child at the same time. My partner is a huge support and has my back. My daughter Linn also has the opportunity to go to Montessori kindergarten one or two days a week. I am extremely grateful for that.

Do you have home office experience or is this a first?

For me, this is actually a first. In my position, it's usually rather difficult to work from home. However, I find this an exciting experience and will possibly also do certain work from home in the future. What I'm taking away is that for certain meetings it can be more efficient to Skype than to meet in person.

Based on previous experience: Which processes are difficult compared to normal everyday work?

It's the creative processes in larger groups that I usually implement with workshops that I find so difficult. In our TV business, creative programs are the be-all and end-all - we're already in the process of designing content and show formats for the new season. I find it very challenging to do this with many participants in a Skype workshop.

Which jobs go smoothly?

The "everyday" work, such as editing e-mails and exchanges in 1:1, works great.

Is there anything that even works easier or more productively in the home office?

I think certain meetings are more productive because you run them faster and in a more structured way. Again, all the personal aspects fall away here - you "small talk" less. More productive, but just less familiar and individual.

What do they do about the ceiling falling on your head in the home office?

Besides going to the office every now and then, I do a lot of sports at home. We have a beautiful big garden, where I can comfortably drink a coffee, air my head or play with my daughter.

As we all know, everything has its positive sides. What is it in your current home office situation?

Our family welds the current situation much closer together and we have more time for joint interactions. And the use of IT tools is naturally encouraged - we are now "forced" to work with the existing structures.

In general, I think the corona crisis helps us to be grateful and humble for what we have. That we usually have the freedom to go outside and move around as we please. You begin to appreciate people even more because you no longer meet them in person. And you see the little things in life again and enjoy the moment more. I was outside this morning and became much more aware of the beauty of nature again. I think that's great - these are moments that we should enjoy.

What would you like to give your colleagues in the industry to take with them through the crisis?

Even if this sounds like a phrase: stay positive and accept the situation as it is. We can't change the situation, we can only make the best of it. The situation is currently giving me time and moments with myself.