Discuss remote work with Paul Pedrow at restaurant event

Chicago – Trade Fair Director Paul Pedrow, vice president of sales for restaurant events, talks about his path to remote work, tips and tricks, and more.

Andrew: When did you first start working remotely, and how did your first few months?

Paul: I was with UBM at the time (has been acquired by Informa since), and due to my family situation, I had to work from home. I worked from New York City to Westchester, Pennsylvania…I adjusted at first.

For me, the key is to find a new pattern without feeling yourself. When you work from home, you have to find an excuse to leave the house – you need to go see the outside world because you are not commuting.

Usually, there are fewer boundaries in terms of the time you are willing to work or the time you are willing to work because you are at home. It’s hard for a while.

Take time away from your computer and create routines. It took me a month or two to figure it out.

Andrew: What is your schedule?

Paul: It depends on the day. Sometimes, I start at 6:00 am and end at 9:00 pm a few days, and I work from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and stride forward.

However, this business can throw curveballs everywhere and keep you working very late. It’s hard to try to stop anything.

I make sure to walk the dog once a day…I do this when time allows, and sometimes time doesn’t allow it until the end of the day.

Also, the morning routine is key to me, and I usually prepare every day as if I have to go to work.

Related. Remote work advice for the diversified Devon Temple

Andrew: How do you stay in touch with colleagues?

Paul: This is an interesting question because in the trade show industry, almost everyone travels a lot. I have time to connect with the team while organizing our show.

In addition, we communicate continuously with the team through text, phone calls. Everyone is almost online between 8:00 am and 5:30 pm

If you have a quick inquiry, it makes sense to chat on the team. If more conversations make sense, then the team’s call will usually be better. During the meeting, we make sure we are on camera all day.

Everyone on our team uses these tools differently, we adapt and figure each other out.

Andrew: What are the DOS and NOTS you work remotely?

Paul: Keep the space clean. Also, in which you can create a workspace that you can leave.

I might have been in the office for 10 hours one day, but when I leave and close the door, I can keep that part away from work to my personal life. That’s very valuable.

Go into the routine and make sure to go out because you may get stuck and suddenly, there is a five to six days feeling like you haven’t stood up yet.

It is crucial to stand up and move around because remote work is easy to stay.

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