SINGAPORE – To say that the onset of COVID-19 has drastically changed the way people are running their businesses would be an understatement. With working from home becoming part of the “new normal,” adjustments have been made to keep employee morale up despite the pandemic.
In Singapore, leading advertising agency TBWA\Singapore has been offering weekly mindfulness classes in an effort to help employees achieve personal and professional mental well-being with the aim to lead the agency to an improvement in work-life balance, professional performance, and creativity. The agency has opened these mindfulness classes to the whole APAC region and is part of its effort to support the mental wellness of its staff.
“It was an investment we made in November 2019 – before the onset of COVID-19, and our first classes began in the office in February 2020,” says Mandy Goh, Director of Talent Development. “But since our ‘new normal’ of working from home, the agency decided to continue the sessions virtually. With a whole new set of demands and challenges for people – what with pressure on the business and home – it seems the need for mental wellness and living in the present is more important than ever.”
“The initial plan was that these would help improve productivity and positivity for the agency,” added Goh. “After the first three sessions, we realized that the personal benefits had a very strong and direct impact on work benefits.”
“I’ve been practicing mindfulness for about 6-8 months, although sporadically,” adds Ara Hampartsoumian, CEO of TBWA\Group Singapore. “It’s definitely helped me to focus, self-reflect, prioritize tasks, and make me feel calm in challenging times. I truly do hope that our people adopt mindfulness beyond our current situation. It is a practice that applies to all things in our life beyond just work. It’s a long-term investment for everyone.”
“It’s been a wonderful way to see colleagues and feels engaged in a unique (and quiet) way – during a time of strange isolation,” Hampartsoumian adds.
