Jobs: Roman Rybalchenko, founder of the Internet marketing agency Roman.ua

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In an interview with Lifehacker, Roman Rybalchenko talked about useful podcasts, running, and how to stay productive even when working from home.

Roma, you often work from home. How is your workplace arranged?

Previously, I only worked at home, now we have moved to the office, so I work both there and there.

A home workspace looks like this.

• MacBook Air laptop.
• Monitor Samsung 24 ″.
• Apple mouse and keyboard.
• Suunto Ambit2 for trail running and mountain running.
• A wallet with a bunch of cards.
• Headphones LG HBS 730 (good for running and everyday life, you can insert one ear and simultaneously listen to the world around you, as well as hang the bow on your neck).
• Cheap Xiaomi headphones for making calls or watching videos.
• Parker multifunctional pen with different colors.
• Thick Economix Boss pen for designing website pages in a notebook.
• LegalPad with note margins and loose-leafs that can be filed into a folder.
• Smith & Wesson tactical pen. Can be used for self-defense and carried to any place (on an airplane, to a concert). May break glass in an emergency.
• A folder with documents (usually I carry it with me).

What else do you take with you if you have to work remotely?

I always have my mobile phone and my Thule backpack with me. I used to have an iPhone, now I use a Google Pixel. Why did you switch from iOS to Android? At some point, I realized that I use all Google applications, and decided to test the Google Pixel. Liked.

In my backpack there is a laptop, documents, chargers, a huge stack of paper with ideas that I rake from time to time. When traveling, a suitcase with things is added to the backpack.

By the way, here is a life hack for you how to save on roaming charges abroad. Take with you an additional phone with your own SIM card. Before departure, using the Roamer program, set an unconditional call forwarding to a virtual number, and upon arrival, buy a local SIM card and transfer the call forwarding to it. As a result, people will call your home number, and you will be redirected via the Internet to a local SIM card.

What web services do you use the most?

I'm a Google Inbox fan. It has four main advantages:

1. Emails play the role of tasks, they can be marked as completed so as not to be distracted.
2. The task letter can be postponed until a certain moment, and it will automatically pop up at the right time.
3. You can control the sending of letters. So they are not lost if the person does not answer.
4. You can write yourself text reminders for specific letters and group them into folders.

I also really like Google Optimize. It allows you to conduct A / B testing without involving a programmer. For example, there you can see how this or that version of the site works and improve its conversion. With Google Optimize, you have a better understanding of your target audience and what influences your buying decision.

For surfing I use Chrome and its extensions:

• 1Password and Zoho Vault for storing passwords (personal and corporate).
• Kuku.io for sharing posts on social networks.
• Social Fixer for filtering Facebook feed.
• Monosnap for screenshots.

When working with a large monitor, I use Hocus Focus to see only the window I am looking at and all others are hidden. This increases focus on the task at hand.

To speed up all activities I use:

• Alfred. You can quickly find a file, use a calculator, google, substitute frequently used links, add tasks to a to-do list without opening it.
• Text Expander. This is a response template engine. If I print something several times, I bring up a template and minimize the time spent. For example, there is a template for rejection: you do not need to write the same thing to a couple of dozen applicants for a vacancy, just enter the name.

What helps you to be productive?

I tried several time management techniques: GTD by David Allen and Time Drive by Gleb Arkhangelsky. But I realized that this does not suit me - it is too formal and harsh, so I switched to the methodology of Maxim Dorofeev "Jedi Techniques".

There are tough events in my schedule. They are stored in a calendar based on Google and Facebook calendars - Fantastical 2. It is associated with Uber. Before the meeting, the phone reminds me: "If you don't want to be late, then you need to leave right now."

I use Wunderlist for setting tasks. It helps to formulate thoughts correctly and discipline yourself. Previously, I had many sections there, now only the main ones remain. There is no need to transfer the entire project plan into the planner: take a task that is understandable and at least a little closer to the goal.

Do you know how to share powers?

I try to actively delegate everything I can. I have not been sending my newsletter for two years. I act only as editor-in-chief.

For more efficient work, we together with the team prescribe checklists and business processes. If some kind of mess happens, we look at what needs to be done so that it does not happen again.

I like the phrase of Maxim Krainov: “If it was spelled out in the business process and there was a mess, then the contractor is to blame. If the contractor did as it was written in the business process, and there was a mess, the problem is the business process."

You spend a lot of time running. Why?

Sport helps in work. Training teaches you to give all the best at one moment, and at another - to recover and rest.

Running for me is a kind of meditation in motion. Unloading thoughts, rethinking.

Running bonuses:

• Good for health (especially for the heart).
• Develops endurance (if you run in the right zones).
• You get distracted and feel the happiness of overcoming yourself.
• Another social circle (you learn a lot of interesting things about training and proper nutrition).

Most often I run from spring to late autumn 2-4 times a week with a running club. I always need company, because I myself put off running until late. Compared to last year, my half marathon result improved by almost half an hour: from 2 hours 16 minutes to 1 hour 46 minutes.

What are your top 3 books that everyone should read?

1. "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

Dystopia, which shows what will happen soon or is already happening with books, social networks and information absorption.

2. “Antifragility. How to capitalize on the chaos "Nassim Taleb

A book that made you think. Nassim introduces the concept of "black swan" - events with a low probability, but with a very large effect. People predict the development of the situation without taking into account the influence of "black swans", but only on the basis of trends.

3. “Jedi Techniques. How to raise your monkey, empty the inbox and save thought-fuel "Maxim Dorofeev

The book teaches to do more, to be more effective, to do more important projects.

Now, recommend helpful podcasts and videos

First, I will share a life hack.

After the publication about Oleg Braginsky on Lifehacker, I watch and listen to everything, except for feature films and serials, at an accelerated one and a half to two times. For this I use the Video Speed Controller. This allows you to get a maximum of information in a minimum period of time.

Anyone who is engaged in Internet marketing and is interested in the digital sphere, I recommend subscribing to:

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• Well.:)

I am also inspired by videos from nerds - people who are very involved in their work. You can learn a lot from them. For example, I like to watch Antoine Najaryan's videos on how to train dogs (the approach and values are interesting); Alexey Zemskov's channel on how to make repairs correctly; channel of Radislav Gandapas (a source of motivation and understanding of where to grow further).

What is your final parting word to the readers of Lifehacker?

Whatever you listen to and watch, act on the principle of the three Ps.

1. Accept - yes, it can work that way.
2. Give it a try - implement or see how it works.
3. Adapt - adjust for yourself or refuse.