WORK / LIFE : HOME OFFICE
How has your work routine changed since the pandemic ? I used to spend two hours a day commuting , but now I have time for work , the gym , or being with my three kids . I used to travel to Brazil , Argentina , and within Chile to meet with teams , but now I use travel and face-to-face meetings with those teams to socialize instead of making business decisions .
Is there one object in your office that ’ s made a huge difference when working from home ? I love to compete in triathlons . But , during the pandemic lockdowns , I found myself just sitting at my desk for up to 10 hours a day . So I got a desk treadmill and now walk during my meetings , about five hours a day .
Do you change your Zoom background while walking ? Yes ! Instead of having the HP office background , I ’ ll switch it to a mountain scene .
Along with your treadmill , which HP gear is essential ? While notebooks are great for mobility , they ’ re not ideal for a full working day . I like having three big screens and an external mouse , docking station , and keyboard . It also allows me to disconnect from work when I ’ m finished for the day since I can ’ t bring those items with me to other parts of the house .
I ’ m also studying for my private pilot ’ s license and I use a simulator with my HP VR headset to train . The experience is impressively realistic , to the point where I could take off and land without help on my first flight .
How do you find the balance in hybrid work ? When your job can be done anywhere , it ’ s tough to stop . I make it a point to shut off my phone and computer at the end of the day . And whenever I need to do something for work , I force myself not to take my PC to my bedroom or living room . Instead , my office is my only workspace .
What ’ s your advice to employees about hybrid work ? It ’ s important to let your team choose how to work and to empower people to make the calls on how to work efficiently . Plus , ensure they are disconnecting during the day . What we ’ ve seen is that mental health is important . So , for example , I try not to hold meetings outside of normal office hours . I trust my team to manage their own schedules and that they will deliver the results .
— Interview by Jordi Lippe-McGraw
SPORTING LIFE From top , pool breaks help Ali separate work and personal life ; Half Ironmans are his competition of choice ; his desk with external keyboard and mouse . Training for his pilot ’ s license , right .
HP / INNOVATION / SUMMER 2022 69