Meet the team.
Since I have been talking a lot about me and my experiences these past two weeks, I thought the time had come to hear from those who know the agency best.
From the very beginning, the strategy team has been nothing but welcoming, always ready to share their knowledge as well as Sydney recommendations.
What caught my attention right away — in a good way — is how different their backgrounds are. Not only was half the team born outside Australia, but you also won’t find here two similar career paths. Is this the recipe for success?
Today, a few of them kindly answered my questions…
BOHDI LEWIS, Head of Digital Strategy & Innovation:
What is strategy to you?
Problem solving and the ability to guide brands through constant change.
What are your main influences/ Where do you get your inspiration from? I find the most useful information comes from outside the typical agency resource’s — Things like technology podcasts, behavioral science audiobooks, coding/technical courses etc.
What is your best memory at Havas? Probably the SXSW trip. Super inspiring and a lot of fun!
The work you are proud of? Probably the VR experience we built for Defense Force as it was so far away from anything they’ve done before. the project nearly got shut down about 10 times and now it’s performing really well!
What is your favorite spot in Sydney? Possibly Watsons Bay Hotel for a sundowner
RHYS HOBBS (pronounced Reese), User Experience Designer
What is strategy to you? Asking the client to ask the right questions around whatever the challenge is. This means bringing it back to their users / customers / internal customers and finding out about their personal goals and how they influence the challenge presented.
What are your main influences/ Where do you get your inspiration from? Majority of my inspiration comes from my own personal experiences. Being in UX, it’s about finding out what is the ideal and most intuitive state for the user. When I’ve experienced something that can be applied to the problem I’m trying to solve, I can relate to it so much more. That and of course I listen to what are the latest design trends. Medium, InVision Blog, Dribble, Behance etc are all good resources for me. Oh and course the Devs! They give you constraints that can help frame and develop creative solutions
What is your best memory at Havas? There’s a bunch of them and they all have to do with the laughs we have in the Strat and Planning team. We all get along and know how to not take ourselves seriously
The work you are proud of? What we’re in the process of delivering for Cancer Council Relay for Life, the Test and Learn prototyping we’re doing for Defence Force Recruiting and of course the Palau Pledge website and campaign.
What is your favorite spot in Sydney: The Northern Beaches — so much beach, so much chill, not many people
HARJIT RANA, Group Strategy Director (and also awesome coach)
What is strategy to you? Simplifying the complex and making a difference
What are your main influences/ Where do you get your inspiration from? Successful people in business, mainly start-ups, those who have a vision and deliver to it and challenge your thinking. Lots of reading and hearing people speak. There’s nothing like hearing it first hand from them. I would suggest getting a mentor, somebody who can inspire you at a work level as well as somebody you would aspire to be like- both professionally and personally.
What is your best memory at Havas? Coming together to support and complete a pitch together from all disciplines across the agency, and then celebrating the win. We work hard and play hard together!
The work you are proud of? Unfortunately I didn’t work on it directly, but I’m proud of the Steve Waugh Foundation Riderless bike, raising awareness of a great charity and cause.
What is your favorite spot in Sydney? On a boat in the harbour looking back at the city :)
Thank you so much for taking the time!
