Balancing the Grind with Dion Viles, Owner & Director of Agile Office Furniture

Dion Viles is the Director of Agile Office Furniture, a customer service focused retailer with access to New Zealand’s favourite range of office furniture.

To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

I was 22 and a courier at the time when I fell into digital advertising. I was looking to get serious about a new career, so started to learn Google Adwords in my spare time – eventually I started taking on my own clients within a year. 

That was almost 8 years ago now. I’ve since held senior digital strategy and growth hacking roles for very well known entrepreneurs, as well as my own private lead generation company. 

Today, I now run a young and growing startup Agile Office Furniture which is primarily focused here in New Zealand. My company focuses on SME businesses and the growing number of professionals working from home to create a more seamless purchase experience for our customers.

NZ is a bit behind the times when it comes to global ecommerce trends, so I felt it would be time well invested taking on some of the larger and more established players in our market who’ve been around for yonks.

What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

A typical work day can vary depending on what needs to be done and by who, particularly if dealing with overseas stakeholders. I normally wake up around 7am, this can vary if I’m on overseas calls late at night. But first things always, first. Coffee!

Then I’ll typically sit down at my desk, read the news and get a feel for what is going on locally and globally for around 15 – 20 mins. It’s light, easy and gives me momentum for the day. From there, I’ll typically start my notes or add to them arranging priorities highest to lowest. 

A quick scan and clear of my emails and I’m off to arrange my day around meetings and tasks. 

What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

This is important and something I can easily find myself neglecting, if not careful. I find that the path to work-life balance can look drastically different for everyone, and that’s absolutely fine – as long as you get there. For me personally? Fitting in a cycle around mid-day. Nothing too strenuous, but it gives me something to look forward to beyond ‘the desk’. 

In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

Even if it’s just 15 minutes, I’ve included exercise as a part of my work day. Not just a random add-on. I’ve always been a strong proponent of quality over quantity. Maybe it’s just the way I am, but you need an outlet in a role where change is constant and overwhelming. Focus is your best ally and breaking up my day with exercise helps me achieve balance.

Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

As far as books, by far my all time favourite would be Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss – a former FBI hostage negotiator who has taken his talents to the art of sales and personal relationships. It’s very entertaining and a must for anyone who wants to improve their negotiation tactics and business relationships. 

If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

There are many names that come to mind, Tim Ferriss has some great concepts, The 4-Hour Workweek, although I pick and choose what ideas best fit my individual situation. (And you should too!)

Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

I used to carry stress when things didn’t go to plan and still do to a lesser degree. But understanding that things will go wrong, becoming more accepting and just “getting on with it” will serve you better in the long run. Leave ‘work at work’ as much as you can. Which I know can be easier said than done for the entrepreneur pack. 

Overall if you can “roll with the punches” and maybe even laugh a little, you’ll be well set-up for success and greater productivity. Nothing lasts forever, things typically resolve themselves if you stick at it! 

Consistency is key.

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