Amit Anil is the Head of Marketing & Strategy at Barclay Pearce Capital, which provides specialised advisory services to privately owned businesses, small to medium-sized public and ASX listed companies.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I started as a creative, freelancing at the age of 17 as a graphic designer specialising in branding. At this stage, I was self-taught in Adobe and branding fundamentals. At the same time, I completed qualifications in graphic design, digital media and web development.
This gave me a very hands-on understanding of the industry and the career path ahead of me. Studying and freelancing simultaneously helped me realise that my true interest lies in consumer behaviour based strategy.
I started targeting more strategy focused freelance projects while I continued my studies focusing on marketing strategy in my undergrad degree. I managed to connect with industry experts in the space to understand the skills needed to enter the strategy space.
This resulted in me progressing up the ladder from assistant roles through a variety of companies and industries to marketing Manager roles, all the while freelancing in the branding and strategy space.
To put my knowledge and skills to the ultimate test, I transitioned from full-time employment to self-employment. I started my own company with a unique business model that allowed me to offer scalable projects without major agency overheads. Three years in, COVID hit which majorly impacted the company’s sales pipeline.
COVID forced me to pivot, which resulted in my now partnership with Barclay Pearce Capital as the Head of Marketing & Strategy, overseeing all marcomms efforts for BPC and the respective clients. So now, I focus on both my own company as well as BPC. And I’ve never been happier doing exactly what I’m passionate about.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
With multiple personal & professional projects going on, balance is key. My day starts off with the beach, followed by breakfast and ready at my workstation by 8 am.
The majority of my day is focused on tasks that only I can do, while the rest of it consists of client meetings and collaboration with my teams to ensure all project deliverables are running smoothly. Taking frequent breaks for micro workouts and fresh air keeps my energy and focus levels up, helping me stay on top of the dynamic day.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Yes, working remotely is a key part of my role and skillset as it helps me stay on top of all projects. My team is especially vital when it comes to the success of remote work. With my role focusing mostly on strategy, my confidence in my team abilities helps me maintain a work-life balance without burning out or falling off the wagon.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
For me, work-life balance is all about developing my ability to be wholeheartedly present. So when I’m in work-mode, I focus entirely on work without distractions. The same goes for when I’m in life-mode, where I push myself to not think about work and wholeheartedly be present in the moment.
Thankfully, my passion for strategy and consumer behaviour is one that allows me to continuously observe and learn in any environment.
This has become a key aspect of my work-life balance as I’m absolutely fascinated with both topics and how they interact. The result; I’m engaged and happy as I get to enjoy work and life while studying my passions along the way.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
The most important habit I’ve stopped is beating myself up about how much I didn’t get done today and instead focus on being holistically productive. By that I mean, I now take a birds-eye-view approach to my routines and habits, which produce the best work-life balance lifestyle.
Changing this one habit has profoundly improved my productivity, habits and routines. I’m more focused on what I can get done in the time I have each day, which has left me in a way more positive mindset and emotional state.
Allowing me to take life head-on, embrace uncertainty and feel genuine gratitude and happiness each and every day. #QualityOfLife
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
How I Built This, hosted by Guy Raz and produced by NPR is my all-time favourite podcast. It’s about overcoming challenges and mastering yourself.
My favourite book has to be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. They say it tells a different story to each reader. For me, it helped me trust my instincts and believe in the purpose of my existence in the flow of the universe.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
The Adobe Creative Cloud has been my true tool for over 20 years. Along with the likes of Asana and the Habits app.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Figure out what kind of life you want to live, what it looks like on a daily basis, what kind of impact you want to create in the world and work towards building the life of your dreams. The work and balance follow.
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