Emily Fisher is a marketer who is currently working at UberEats, where she works on the marketing across APAC.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I guess I was always earmarked for a career in marketing. I studied communications and business at uni, completed internships in PR and advertising then spent many years at several creative ad agencies in Sydney and New York.
The opportunity to move into a ‘client side’ role happened by chance following a dinner with an old colleague. It was too good an opportunity to pass up so I accepted right away. In my current role I am lucky enough to work across APAC for Uber Eats which gives me exposure to different markets around the region and no two days are the same!
2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent work day?
As I said before, no two days are the same. Right now I am launching an integrated campaign in Taiwan. We’re towards the end of the process but over the past couple of months we’ve written the strategy, planned out the creative and media, worked with the cross-functional team to align on an integrated plan (incl. PR and promotions), shot our creative (for me – virtually) and are now preparing to dispatch.
From a day to day perspective, I spend a lot of time working with our partner agencies and internal cross-functional teams to coordinate every aspect of our campaign.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible and remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
A couple of weeks after I started in my current role we went into our 4 month winter lockdown in Sydney. At the time, I was going into work every day given it was a new job and had to adjust quickly to working remotely.
Now we are out of lockdown the office is open however there is no mandate to go in (although the snacks in the office keep calling my name). I personally like to go in around 2-3 days a week to collaborate with my colleagues and for the change of scenery from my bedroom office.
I think a lot of businesses are seeing the benefits of flexible working and the positive impact it has on teams. You start to appreciate your colleagues and working space more but also retain the flexibility to do some life admin tasks when you’re at home.
The 3+ hours I would’ve spent on commuting now goes towards cooking, spending time with my partner and ensuring my laundry basket isn’t overflowing.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
I do think that having worked in a creative agency environment for 5+ years you lose sight of work-life balance a little bit because you’re so hungry to prove yourself and there’s a youthful energy and passion to do your best work.
A lot of people get caught up in the hustle and grind culture that it’s something you lose sight of and don’t realise what you’re doing until it actually stops.
For me I’ve found that by finding things to do for yourself physically, spiritually, socially and mentally that are totally different to what you’re doing work wise allows you to find time for that balance even if your workload is mounting.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
Yes! I have decided I want to run a half marathon. I’ve never been a runner but like the idea of it. I’m nowhere near the 21km I need to be but am loving the process of getting there.
Another thing that I’ve picked up since lockdown is buying flowers once a fortnight. Honestly, best investment – there’s something about fresh flowers that just makes me happy. Worth every cent!
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d recommend?
Favourite book of all time: Shantaram. Know there was a lot of backlash around how real it is but if you get past it and treat it as a truly fictional book it’s amazing.
I’ve only just started listening to podcasts but even then music is still my go to. On the way to work I listen to the Intelligence by the Economist. It’s good – short snippets on what’s going on around the world.
The Hustle, best industry newsletter that you’ll actually read. The way it’s written is excellent!
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
Is it silly to say my hairdryer? I got a Dyson Airwrap maybe a year ago. They’re stupidly expensive but the best!
8) If you could read an interview on work-life balance by anyone who would it be?
Can I take this in a weird philosophical direction? I’m really curious about certain characters on TV and in movies and how the writers/directors would showcase their lives outside of the runtime. Sort of like a documentary on a fictional character, like what would a day in the life of Chandler look like? He seemed like a pretty chilled guy and worked in Advertising (surely he must have had a great work/life balance, right?)
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Blocking out time to do other things to hold yourself accountable and spending money on things that are worth it to you. You can’t put a price on joy (but you can pay $800 for a Dyson Airwrap and that’s pretty sweet).
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