Seizing the day is an everyday task for a DayMaker (try saying that three times back!). At On Verve, making someone’s day is what we’re all about – whether that be through impeccable service, fun events, or creative re-works of office spaces.

For account manager Milja Takala, a day’s work features a lot of moving parts – changing plans at a moment’s notice is an integral part of her job.

Milja has been making waves at On Verve for over a year now, and she recently sat down with PFM Magazine for its August edition to discuss the ins and outs of her day, and what she finds fulfilling about working for On Verve. We’ve recapped her PFM contribution here.

How do you start your day?

My alarm goes off at 6am, and my first task is to check to see if anyone is absent for the day. I also take a moment to draft any urgent communications with clients.

If I’m lucky, I take a 30-minute nap before I get ready, but either way, I am always contactable from 6am. I also need to be flexible about when I leave home – am I on my way to meet colleagues in Central London, Watford, Cambridge, or somewhere else?

I do sometimes work from home, but I’m thankful that my team creates a calming yet bubbly energy, so it doesn’t require much motivation to come in early!

How do you organise your work throughout the week?

The honest answer is “I don’t” – I keep my plans deliberately vague because I often don’t know what’s going to come into my inbox. I also plan team huddles around client meetings. That way, I can ensure I’m not wasting time with unnecessary travelling,

I may not see each of my team of DayMakers face to face, but I always reach out in other ways, such as by phone call, text, or email, to make sure they’re all right.

I rely on my calendar’s automatic reminders so I can stay locked in on where I need to go next. I also send myself Teams messages throughout the day with actions to complete, and an email at the end of each day with any unfinished work.

What does a typical day look like at On Verve?

There isn’t a ‘normal’ day for me, which is what I love about my job – the variety and change of the day-to-day keeps me on my toes. Other than the routine of checking my phone at 6am, I could be doing anything next – from meeting clients at our ASOS base to having a probation meeting with my team in City Hall.

My team and I need to be adaptable to whatever the client needs. For example, City Hall requires a very sophisticated corporate approach, you never know if you’re going to run into the Mayor!

I work closely with my manager, who is also our head of operations, and I learn from her as we navigate challenges together. It’s a priority of mine to see each of the twenty team members every week, which isn’t always the easiest to do as I’m constantly on my feet due to all my meetings.

How do you enjoy your break in the day?

I’m a sucker for a supermarket meal deal, whether that includes a sandwich or a wrap. No matter what, I always try to take the time to sit and enjoy my lunch in one of the many parks London has to relax.

I often try to grab lunch with my team and eat with them in the park if the weather permits. You will never catch me eating my lunch on the tube though!

What is your wind-down routine at the end of the day?

I’ve usually finished all of my meetings by 5pm but my day doesn’t stop there. I often jump back on at 6pm to send off any last-minute emails – that can sometimes go as late as 8pm.

By that time though, it’s useful for me to work from home so I can have no interruptions and can start my evening wind-down. By 7pm, I’ve usually started cooking dinner – that’s my true reminder that the day is over.

My guilty pleasure is watching Love Island. On Fridays I decide to have a treat, usually in the form of a takeaway to round off the week!

How do you manage stress?

For me, music is really important. If I’m having a stressful day, I might play my favourite genres to relax – Hip Hop, RnB and Afrobeats.

I have a supportive manager at work, so I know that I always have someone to reach out to. My boyfriend is also very level-headed, so I always feel supported at home too.

I’m lucky that at On Verve, I can always be myself, which reduces stress at the workplace. We have a great culture that lets everyone know that no matter where you are in the UK, you are still part of the team.

Want to know more about the work we do at On Verve? Read about our DayMakers efforts to create green spaces in city environments, a round-up of our growth on our third birthday, and find out more about our guest services here.