Remote work has its pluses. But it also has it’s minuses. Here are the most common I’ve experienced in my years working from anywhere.

Poor tech

If you work remotely, you know there are a gazillion ways to set up your space. And sometimes, you’re lucky to rock up to an office that has all the whiz-bang gadgets. Sometimes, you’re not so lucky.

Microphones, headphones, headsets, web cameras, internet connection, software, updates… it’s all worth considering BEFORE you need to hop on that call.

Test the tech! Test it in every scenario because the last thing you wanna do is be that…

I’ve been doing a lot more walking(and running!)lately. Here’s why I now prefer it over riding my bike in Wellington.

I’m sure you’ve heard the many cases for walking to work or walking to the shops over driving. This piece is more about my experience in Wellington, coming from a riding background.

The other day, I was walking from Berhampore to my office in Newtown, roughly 2 km, and noticed how many beautiful trees and flowers I witnessed on my commute. The sun was cresting just over the trees, casting a beautiful light on the footpath in front of me…

It’s been a little over a year since I embraced the role of Product Manager at Thankyou Payroll. It’s been a BIG year for us and here are some of the things I learned in that short amount of time.

PM vs PM

There is a distinct difference between being a product manager and being a project manager. I took that for granted. In the beginning, I found myself picking up both responsibilities most days and often feeling like lines were blurred. You need to be very clear with yourself and with others, what tasks you are performing. Not that both can’t be…

Welcome to the 4th edition of the Tote Bag Awards. I read and rate every year. Sadly, this year hasn’t included as many books as I wanted BUT I still have opinions to share. Same categories, new year. Enjoy and thanks for reading!

For 2018’s awards, visit my page here.

We got dirty and will continue to do so as part of our commitment to the environment and our future.

At Thankyou Payroll, we plant trees each year as a team. It’s such an incredible experience because we bond with each other but also with Papatūānuku, the land. It’s part of our efforts to remain carbon-neutral and beyond.

August this year, we planted trees in the hills of Polhill Reserve in Wellington and Sawyers Bay, Dunedin. Over 600 trees were put into the ground at these beautiful sites including rātā, cabbage trees, rimu, tōtara. Over 40 employees, friends and clients…

I bought a long-haul flight to England recently and I bought the airline’s carbon credits to offset it but I wanted to do more. Here was what I found out.

What happens when you are one of those people who ride your bike lots, plant trees, refuse/reuse/recycle, and buy carbon credits? You start to question what else you can do. I realise this is a unique position but I believe even more of us will be wondering it as things like single-use plastic is banned and governments declare climate crises across the globe. And as we hit record high temps…

I’ve been asked by my professional supervisor to trial a method of checking in and out every day. Below is my reflection on what the last month has taught me.

After a very tough month in April, I struggled to find my “new normal” at work. I was in emergency and crisis mode each week and had no perspective on whether work was always going to be this hard or where the light at the end of the tunnel was.

My professional supervisor suggested two practices:

1. Check in each day with a trusted colleague.
2. Check out with expressions of gratitude…

Big numbers. Early years. Navigating the financial world was a bumpy one for me. It’s taken me til age 35 to share. And it’s still not over.

From 2002 to 2006, I attended an all-women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia. I chose the school based on location and the financial aid package offered. More specifically, there was a filing cabinet by the career counsellor’s desk with college applications and I applied in alphabetic order. I was pretty distracted at age 17.

It was my choice. I don’t regret it. But it was some of the most vulnerable years of my life…