Memos from Quarantine #3: Time for a Digital Makeover

It used to be that we approached working at home like we did the weekend. Kick off the shoes, slip on the sweats and show the world that, yes, you still can get a ton of good work done even though you look like you’re prepping for a day of playing and watching sports.

Oh, and don’t be surprised if a kid or a dog pops up in the video conference because, hey, “This is where I live!”

Well, the sports are on pause – playing as well as viewing – and I’m suddenly seeing signs of digital makeover, as people spruce up what the webcam sees because, hey, “This is where I work!”

I’ve done it, too. Just two days ago, I turned my desk just so that I could have a better background for video conferencing. Now, instead of showing an open home office behind me, I have a bookcase. And, yes, I carefully stocked that bookcase with the histories, biographies and fiction collections that I thought would speak best of me. The sports books and comic book collections are carefully out of view.

I’ve even implemented a dress code. I’m business casual at home now, wearing a button-down shirt every day and keeping a sports coat handy for when I have to record a video. Still no footwear. But, hey, on the Internet no one knows if you’re wearing Hush Puppies.

And, yes, I upgraded the HD webcam and microphone as well. Although that wasn’t easy. This isn’t as well publicized as the toilet paper shortage, but have you tried shopping for a webcam this week? Good luck. My local Staples was sold out, Amazon couldn’t deliver one for at least a week, and BestBuy online and in-store was nearly wiped out as well. Nearly …

So, it’s not just me. I see already, just four days into the New Normal, that my colleagues are paying extra attention to what people see and hear during our virtual meetings. Makes sense, and I’m happy to be a part of it. If we’re going to be here for a while, we might as well look sharp, right?

I’m dressing up for three important video interviews today. The topics: COVID-19 update; secure business beyond the perimeter; and the state of the cybersecurity marketplace in these turbulent times. It’s an all-star lineup, and I’ll come back tomorrow and share those with you.

Meanwhile, my teammate Mathew Schwartz was busy yesterday and created these timely updates for your perusal: