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Welcome to Nasir Zubairi’s home office. Photo provided by Nasir Zubairi 

Nasir Zubairi, CEO of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, shared his home office with Delano on Wednesday.

AG: Prior to the covid-19 restrictions, did you already telecommute sometimes?

NZ: I have not teleworked in a long time. 

When did you start telecommuting as a covid-19 precaution?

Thursday 12th March.

What was your telecommuting workspace previously? Or was it always your “home office”? 

Always my home office, if ‘office’ is defined as where you work. It can vary at home, on a desk, on the kitchen table, outside in the garden, or on the dining table as it is right now. This is mission control for our family at this time.

What do you like about your telecommuting workspace? 

I have options, so can vary setting quite easily with my laptop. Access to good coffee. Sun streaming through my window. 

What would change about your workspace at home?

I used to have a dedicated workspace/desk in my home. As I stopped using it, my son has taken it over as the centre for his gaming setup. Missing it right now... would be rude to requisition it.

Is there a “personal touch” to your home workspace?

Yes; it is my mess, just the way I like it. I had some balloons up above the table last week to add a bit of cheer; they have since been pulled down for play by the kids and the dog.

Balloons can be seen in the reflection of the mirror in home workspace. Photo provided by Nasir Zubairi
Balloons can be seen in the reflection of the mirror in Nasir Zubairi’s home workspace. Photo provided by Nasir Zubairi

What are your most widely used telecommuting tools or applications? 

Email, Whatsapp, internet browser, Zoom, Slack, Hangouts.... too many quite honestly, but different people use different things and I need to connect to them.

How do you make telecommuting work for you?

One, having a schedule. I do as I have always done, plan my day early in the morning, prioritise, agree with myself what will be achieved in the day. Then I stick to it. Two, taking breaks; in my case I generally combine this with, three, doing exercise. I have taken time to fix up all my bikes and have set up a makeshift workout studio on the veranda.

Have you developed any new habits or routines? 

Yes, more exercising at home than I am used to.

After the covid-19 restrictions are lifted, do you plan to keep telecommuting sometimes? 

No, not for myself, but I trust the Lhoft team to do so as they see fit and feel suits. 

Want to share your home office? Get in touch via [email protected]