How IFB’s Finance Manager uses Microsoft Teams to keep things running during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this blog, our Finance Manager and ultra-running enthusiast, Andrew Gordon runs through how the accounts department of IFB has adapted to a new way of working during the COVID-19 pandemic, from utilising Microsoft Teams for collaborative working to maintaining work/life balance.

IFB’s Finance Manager and ultra-running enthusiast, Andrew Gordon

It is now 11 months into lockdown due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and it has caused us all to have a re-think in how we go about our daily lives and manage our work environment.

As Finance Manager for IFB, I was a little concerned when we had to enter the new “normal” of working from home. One of the key aspects of an accounts department is communication and working remotely did give me a few worries as we packed up and left the office.  It is vital we keep in daily correspondence with customers and suppliers. Also, as a team, working remotely was always going to be a challenge, so having the ability to chat, video-calling, as well as to be able to set up department roaming features was going to be important for the new set up to work.

As we transitioned to work from home, IFB, along with a lot of companies, started using Microsoft Teams, which was to become a stable diet for a lot of companies in terms of internal video calls and meetings. We also very quickly took the decision to become early adopters of the Teams Voice solution which Microsoft had just launched. The benefits to us as a business have been numerous. As a replacement for the traditional PABX system, it was incredibly easy to get up and running, retaining all the existing numbers, and set up of roaming groups for us. Personally, I have now got my office phone number on my mobile through the Teams App so never have any reason to miss any calls.

With moving the telephone system into the cloud, the other benefits I am seeing is the reduction in cost associated with the traditional PABX platforms, both in maintenance, support and call charges. The ease of set up is fantastic and done centrally and has let us standardise the approach across the company.

Fetteresso Marathon

Yes, lockdown has been hard, but it has been made easier with the introduction of Teams and given me the flexibility which comes with it. I have a passion for ultra-running, and I have found that as an essential outlet away from work. One of the problems of working from home is that it can be too easy to never “switch-off” as it is always there. For me, it is the running that let us me escape from this, and I am lucky enough to have some incredible trails on my doorstep which I try to get out on daily and then get some long distances in at the weekend. Having Teams on my phone is great though and allows me to take calls and catch up with the team even if I am not at the desk.

I have got the Moray Way 100 mile ultra in the Autumn to look forward to which is keeping me motivated to get out and fingers crossed that by that time there will be some ease up of restrictions which will allow it to go on. Being an ultra-running Race Director as well, it has been a difficult time for all sporting bodies. Our next race is the Bennachie Ultra in October so looking forward to that which is always a great day for the local ultra-running community.

If you’re running on empty and looking to revive your working environment to allow for a more flexible and collaborative approach to working, as well as get that work/life balance right – get in touch with IFB to find out more about Microsoft teams and how we can help you.