Why we’re committing to a 100% work-from-anywhere team.
We’ve been thinking about this for a while:
- We’re a virtual events production company.
- Virtual work is more inclusive, sustainable, and flexible.
- A virtual workplace accommodates a whole range of lifestyle choices.
- What the world needs more of right now starts with creating opportunities for people to experience a wider worldview.
For these reasons and more, Matchbox Virtual Media will be a 100% work-from-anywhere team as of July 1, 2021.
We’re closing the physical office in Montreal (did you even know we had a physical office?) and moving our workspace completely online.
We deliver virtual events and experiences. By definition, a virtual work environment is a great fit for our mission, and it will enhance our already strong commitment to innovation. We use ourselves as test subjects all the time. If a scheduling process or networking tool doesn’t work for us, it won’t work for our clients.
Our core values are “including, co-creating, perfecting, and human,” and we believe this move lets us be more of all those things. By releasing ourselves and our team from the requirement to live in any one geographic location, much less report to one physical office space, we’re opening doors to travel, to a wider world of experiences and perspectives, and to a more readily accessible & inclusive digital workplace. Matchbox is excited to take a more affirmative position regarding today’s highly mobile workforce environment.
“Looking back on 2020, the pandemic offered us an unexpected perspective… that being a fully remote workplace has allowed us to better serve our community. We are living and breathing both the ethos and the reality that is the foundation of our work: people can truly and meaningfully connect no matter where they are located. How many times have we tested new technologies as a workplace, or been inspired by the ways that we interact with one another? How often have people working on our team become friends even though they’ve never met in person? In the past year, the answer is ‘all the time!’ We connect. We collaborate. We inspire. From everywhere. 2020 made me realize that what will best serve our mission is to remain a fully remote workplace going forward.”
–– Arianna Rehak, Co-founder & CEO, Matchbox Virtual Media
One thing that won’t be changing is Matchbox’s deep, foundational commitment to an intentionally co-creative, inclusive, fun work culture (we call it “business friendly”). We’re doubling down on our internal virtual networking and collaborating, and we’ll be repurposing the office budget to support in-person social gatherings among team members near and far.
Maybe we’ll even make Office Closing Day an annual pilgrimage to Montreal. Or Costa Rica.
What does all of this mean? We don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re committed to figuring it out. Together.
We still value conversations that matter and connections that last.
We’re even more committed to our belief in the power of virtual community.
We’ll see you soon, online.
