COVID-19 UPDATE: Business as (un)usual here at Ayima. In these unprecedented times, we want to reassure our staff, clients and future customers that although things are tough - we will help you over the hump, as safely and efficiently as we possibly can.
Thanks to the nature of digital marketing and the beauty of modern technology (Google Drive, Google Hangouts, and Slack to name but a few) we are coping very effectively with our new home setup. This means that although we’re no experts regarding what’s going on out there, everything is very much under control within our sphere. In fact, with growing demands for digital advertising, we are busier than ever and working hard to meet our clients’ needs!
As an ISO27001 accredited company, we are well trained and prepared for any form of disruption to our office. Also, as part of our commitment to work-life balance, employees have always been permitted to work remotely. Therefore we have rigorously tested business continuity processes to support us during trying times like these. All teams are able to work as efficiently remotely as they are from the office, so rest assured there will be no change to the way we work.
To answer any questions you may be having:
Will my meeting with Ayima be postponed or cancelled?
No, all our conference calls and meetings will be facilitated by Google Hangouts or your preferred method of communication. Your meeting organiser or Account Manager will be in touch to organise these.
Are you taking on new business?
Absolutely! Now more than ever, we are here to help. If you are interested in finding out more about how Ayima can help your brand, please do get in touch. We have also published blogs to help brands navigate their digital strategies during this turbulent time, including a detailed look at SEO in e-commerce and paid media.
Can I call the office as normal? 
Yes, our phone line is working as normal. Please call 020 7148 5970 for general enquiries, or contact your Account Manager directly for anything work specific. Any customers with queries or concerns should get in touch with us over the phone or email [email protected] and we will swiftly help you resolve these.
How are you supporting your clients?
We understand that our clients will be facing their own problems, and therefore want to make life as easy as possible for them. We are dedicated to continuing to provide the high standard of service we pride ourselves on during this period of uncertainty. It's BAU for Ayima, minus an office space!
What will happen to campaigns if entire teams are ill?
The likelihood of this is minimal and we have redundancy in the teams to cope with this if needed. Everyone is working safely from home and following government guidelines, so we are ensuring that we are mitigating our staff’s exposure to the virus.
How are you supporting staff?
Our staff’s wellbeing and mental health are paramount to us here at Ayima.
We understand the importance of being able to talk about mental health and offer our staff members the support they need. We have fully qualified Mental Health First Aiders who are always approachable and ready to listen and help in any way they can. We hold a weekly ‘HR Surgery’ where any staff member can confidentially chat through problems that they may be experiencing.
Now more than ever, we are encouraging our staff to take their wellbeing seriously and ensure there is a work-life balance in our new setup! We are encouraging staff to switch off from their devices and take the time to focus on being present which will, in turn, have a positive impact on their mindset - whether that be through morning stretches, midday meditation, afternoon reading or evening strolls, or whatever other activity they find relaxing and beneficial.
We have also issued Working From Home Guidelines to try and help staff adjust to the new normal.
As a young and integrated company, the social aspect of quarantining can be a challenge. Therefore, we are keeping up traditions and holding Friday night socials using Remo which gives staff the opportunity to grab a beer, video chat and unwind from the week. We’ve also got a daily lunchtime quiz running which breaks up the day a little and brings us all together with a bit of healthy competition.
We are encouraging our staff members to keep as active as possible, and have enjoyed sharing our favourite yoga and HIIT workout videos in the company Slack channel. We’re now waiting for someone brave enough to lead a video session! We’ve also got some ‘MTV cribs & pet tours’ lined up so that although we’re far apart, we can get to know our colleagues even better than before.
Final word
Ayima is a resilient business; we will continue to be prudent in everything we do and continue to service our clients to the highest standard.
COVID-19 is by far the biggest challenge anyone has faced yet; the impact is still unknown and the outlook is changing daily. However, as a business, we face this challenge with our usual optimism and will continue to support our clients, staff and their loved ones to the best of our ability throughout the coming weeks and months.
If you have any questions or concerns or would like to get in touch to see how we can help you and your business, please don’t hesitate to contact us. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for more updates and blogs on our website and social media channels.
Stay safe, be positive, show love. These are the most important things for us all to remember, and how we will get through this.
