How Perk Canada Successfully Onboards New Staff During Remote Work
Remote Onboarding New Employees During the Pandemic
The past two years have brought a lot of obvious change to the workforce: remote work, limited staff events, and going through screening protocols to be physically in-office when local bylaws allow for it. Looking back, we all thought working from home would be a quick 14-day window, but here we are, going into year three. While Perk Canada is currently working with a hybrid model—most of our staff continue to work from home, but the office is open for those who choose to come in—all the hiring we’ve done recently occurred while stay at home orders were in place. How did we remotely onboard new staff, while still maintaining our “office atmosphere”? Luckily, it was easier than we initially thought it would be.Going Digital
Typically, new hires would be greeted by their manager, meet their immediate team, go out for lunch, tour the office, raid the snack table, and begin training. But how were we supposed to carry out the same activities and foster the same sentiment with remote staff? Through the power of Zoom! This shouldn’t be a surprise, as many tech companies are quick to adapt, and by now, used to using Zoom to connect with colleagues. All meet-and-greets and training sessions were done virtually, and despite a few connection issues—which were quickly sorted—everyone was able to hit the ground running. But what else did we incorporate? Swag bags! Virtual cards! And even more slack channels for non-work discussions so staff could connect and get to know each other a little bit better. And thankfully, our new hires loved it all.The Testimonials Speak for Themselves
“I loved the onboarding greeting card signed by the Perk team that was sent to me virtually. Shadowing my peers for the first 2 weeks and picking their brains was a great learning experience. Louis and the team were very helpful with any questions I had. I liked how Perk set up my onboarding meetings with the higher ups of all the departments. I was able to introduce myself to all the employees.” – Mrinal “The remote onboarding process was relatively seamless. A member of the IT team dropped by my house to drop off equipment and was in constant contact virtually on setup.” – Mohammad “Meeting with other team members was so exciting. There are also multiple channels on Slack like #listening-to, #gaming, and #anime which allowed me to know more about teams and their interest outside work. And every other Friday, they have a virtual Show and Tell session where team members share something they are working on. It’s helpful for others and is really good for interaction with other teammates.” – GurvinderMoving Forward
It’d be easy to say that virtual onboarding isn’t ideal, but honestly, it has worked well in our favour. We’re able to seamlessly set up new employees, have them meet their teams and others in the company, get involved in social aspects of the office, and complete all the necessary training for their role. As things begin to open back up and people are comfortable meeting in person, we’ll be able to do in-person events again. For now, our hybrid model is working, and we’ll continue to adapt and change along with everything else.How Perk Has Adapted to COVID-19
Working from Home is the New Norm
This week marks 11 weeks since the entire Perk.com Canada Inc. office has been working from home, and it comes with some mixed emotions. March 16th was supposed to be our first day in a brand-new office after months of preparing to move, but instead, our teams hunkered down at home with new set-ups in their home offices, spare bedrooms, and living rooms. Like many other companies in Waterloo Region (and across the globe), we’ve been doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 and stay at home. While we’ve always had the ability to work from home when needed, it’s never been to this degree. In the past, working from home was an option to help with work-life balance as needed, but staff were still in-office as much as possible. Now, with a permanent home set up for the foreseeable future, we’re figuring out how to make it work for everyone.Increased Communication
Like many tech companies, Slack has always been our go-to for internal communication. That, and being able to roll up to anyone’s desk for a quick chat or booking a meeting room for larger brainstorming sessions. Now, Slack is being used more than ever. The normal channels are still up and running, with new ones being made to host video calls for scrums and standing weekly meetings. A couple new channels have also popped up for increased communication, specifically for teams that normally talk more in person. Slack calls have been great for team calls, and we’re also utilizing Zoom for all-hands updates. Staff members have of course been getting creative with custom backgrounds, and we love it! In order to keep things running as smooth as possible, we’re encouraging people to use their Slack status to show when they’re away from their computer. Status updates are great, and seeing people use the emojis to showcase what they’re eating for lunch is entertaining, too. While Slack continues to be effective for work, it’s allowed us to bolster staff engagement as well.Staff Engagement
Our office has always enjoyed different events, from staff lunches to game nights, and various team-building outings. However, continuing with these activities is difficult when everyone is staying home. That didn’t stop us from getting creative, though. The #listening-to channel on Slack has always been somewhat active, but now we have a curated playlist of Perk employee jams that everyone can contribute to and enjoy while working. It’s been a fun way to get to know each other’s musical tastes and discover new bands and songs. We also started up #perk-diplomacy for those who like a little friendly competition. Web Diplomacy is free to play online, and some of our staff have been enjoying the game and learning who they can really trust for game alliances. Furry family members haven’t been exempted from engagement efforts either. Of course, it’s nearly impossible to have a video call without pets making an entrance, so we decided to have some fun with it. During the first week of working from home, we asked everyone to share pictures of their new work colleagues, and shared them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And of course, our happy hours have continued. Every Friday at 4:00pm our #virtual-happyhour channel is full of people grabbing a drink and talking about anything non-work related. This is where most of those awesome Zoom backgrounds come in. Just because we’re in different locations doesn’t mean we can’t relax after a busy week.Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Wellbeing initiatives also have an important role at Perk. We care about company performance, but know that in order for our work to succeed, our individual staff members need to succeed to. For many of us, mental and physical wellbeing plays into that. We started a workout challenge for “Guns, Buns and Abs” and everyday, staff join a Zoom call to do squats, push-ups, and leg lifts. It’s allowed people to stay active, and participate in some friendly competition and cheer-leading. Another Slack channel was also created for mental health initiatives. We installed the Thinkladder app to provide daily wellbeing insights for staff, which has received a lot of positive feedback so far. Staff have also been sharing various resources and activities for people to participate in, and share with friends and family.Looking Ahead
We don’t know how long working from home will continue for, but we’re proud of how far our teams have come. No one really knew what to expect at first, but every single person at Perk has adapted well, and continue to showcase their skills from home. Whether it’s knocking out weekly goals, brainstorming new ideas to keep staff engaged, or helping others with whatever they need, our office has successfully remained united. The future might look uncertain, but we know we’ll be able to get through it together.Attending a Tech Conference in Our Own Backyard
True North 2019
The fact that Perk.com Canada is located in Waterloo Region has its benefits. It’s a hub for tech. It’s a hub for innovation. And since the inception of the True North conference in 2018, it’s also the hub for bringing people together to talk about tech and innovation, and we weren’t about to miss out on the action. On June 19 and 20, I headed to Lot 42 in Kitchener to see what this year’s line-up of speakers had to offer in the ongoing conversation about “tech for good” — True North’s slogan and focus for the conference. While there were a wide range of subjects discussed, from human trafficking to killer robots, there were a handful of themes I picked up on across several presentations that provide some insight into what True North 2019 was all about.The Necessity of Being a Lifelong Learner
Marissa and Jordan both attended True North 2019.
The Necessity of Change (Done Right)
It’s no secret that if companies want to keep up with the rapidly changing tech industry, they need to evolve along with it. But two presenters at True North spoke about the challenges that arise when companies embark on such journeys of change and how to execute large-scale changes properly. Roy Gori, president and CEO at Manulife, noted that when it comes to implementing change, companies too often just focus on products and tangible things, overlooking company culture. People generally don’t like change, one reason being because they are proficient at current systems and will inevitably be poor at incoming systems at first. Gori said companies need to recognize that change is difficult for employees and need to support them through the process. Likewise, Hamoon Ekhtiara, founder and CEO of Audacious Futures, reminded attendees that changes to processes and systems need to be accompanied by changes to mindset and culture. If you restructure a company, but your employees still have the same mindset, you are just going to end up with the same results. Doing things differently requires that people shift their thinking and perspective on their jobs.The Necessity of Privacy
In a world where surveillance is rampant, privacy is a highly sought-after commodity. Ann Cavoukian’s message for True North attendees was that companies that value their customer’s privacy will reap benefits of customer loyalty and trust. Cavoukian, creator of Privacy by Design, explained that companies need to start making privacy the default setting for their customers, and seek positive consent to collect data from them. Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, echoed these thoughts, noting that individuals should own the data when it comes to their devices. He also advocated that decentralization of the web is crucial to prevent government surveillance and the misuse of user data by big companies.The Necessity of Sustainable Values
The culminating point in Thomas Friedman’s talk was a reminder about what matters in life and what will help us navigate this rapidly advancing technological world. To ensure we are creating and using tech for good, we must be rooted in sustainable values (such as the Golden Rule). This means taking the time and dedicating effort to building strong families and healthy communities; these are the things from which goodness springs and which will help us stay the course toward the good in an age of accelerations.Conquering Cancer, One Ride at a Time
Why Louis Bikes for Positive Change
For the last 12 years the Ride To Conquer Cancer (RTCC) benefiting the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has been growing and creating an avenue for bike riders to fundraise and ride to support research and treatment to those suffering from cancer. Princess Margaret is one of the top five cancer research centres in the world! That’s something we are lucky to have in our own backyard, and something to be proud of. We ride 220 kilometers over two days from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Day 1 is 105 kilometers from Toronto to Hamilton, and Day 2 is 115 kilometers to the finish line. It is a challenge, but we ride for those who can’t, and we push our limits because they pale in comparison to the limits being pushed by those fighting cancer.How I Got Involved
For me, my exposure to The Ride started nine years ago when my father and brother decided to partake. I always made sure I was there at the finish line to support them and ensure there was a cold brew waiting for them. It wasn’t until two years ago that I decided to join. At this point, my brother was no longer riding, but my father had been going for seven years straight, which was something I was very proud of him for doing. After his seventh ride, I told him I had registered for the 2018 RTCC at one of the tents that had been setup and, thus began my ride. In the summer of 2017 I purchased a pre-owned road bike and training began!
Louis participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer with his Dad.
Why It’s Important To Me
Like so many others, my life has been impacted by cancer. I have several family members who have battled or are actively battling this awful disease. My father’s father, my Nonno, was taken from us by cancer. By the time they found it, it had spread so aggressively that there was nothing that could be done. It was the only time I’ve ever seen my father cry. I know I’ve always hated this disease and until I decided to ride, my only real contribution were my donations to my father and brother. I was excited to become an active participant and do my own fundraising.Enter Perk!
Fundraising for RTCC is no joke: a minimum of $2,500 is required to ride! The physical aspect of training became the least of my concerns. It is very difficult to get people to hand over their hard-earned money. While fundraising for my first ride I was absolutely floored by the support I received in our Perk office. Within five days of announcing my plans to ride we had passed the 50 percent mark of the $2,500 goal! That number continued to rise and after reaching out to family and friends we easily surpassed the fundraising goal. Year two did not disappoint either. The amazing group here at Perk came through again. We did a holiday bottle drive, and combined with monetary donations I was easily able to reach my goal and beat last year’s fundraising amount. Through these rides and fundraising, I have also had the honour of hearing people’s stories from within the office about how they have been or were in the middle of being impacted by cancer in their families. We don’t just walk through these doors at Perk to perform our daily duties. We walk into a group of people who are willing to listen and support one another inside and outside these walls.The Stats
The Ride has raised over $213 million dollars since its inception 12 years ago! And this year there were over 4,500 riders that together raised $19.2 million dollars! The number of lives impacted is a stat that can’t be measured. It reaches those that receive life-changing treatment, as well as their families, the riders and contributors, the event staff and volunteers, and now, hopefully, to anyone who reads this. Thanks to the support from colleagues, our Perk family is helping do its part to help conquer cancer in our lifetime.Perk.com Canada Wants YOU to Attend Their Open House
Now Hiring: Search Marketing Specialists & Digital Marketing Specialists
Finding your dream job can be hard. You know you want a meaningful career where you can successfully apply your skills and knowledge, but you also want a flexible schedule, endless snacks, and unlimited vacation days. While you might think that’s impossible to find, all of those are possible at Perk! Don’t believe us? Come out to our open house on Wednesday, May 16th and find out for yourself. Make sure to RSVP here!What’s In It For You?
We’re glad you asked! Right now, Perk is hiring multiple Search Marketing Specialists and Digital Marketing Specialists. These are the types of people who know what pay-per-click advertising is, and aren’t afraid of analyzing traffic performance or audience segments. They also know their way around Excel, and can organize information in pivot tables. Does this sound like you? Then come to our open house! We also have openings for a Senior IT Administrator, Quality Assurance Analyst, and an Accounts Payable Clerk. If this piques your interest, come check us out!The Important Stuff
We’re looking for the right candidates, but we also want you to make sure that we’re a good match for whatever you want out of your career, too. That’s why we’re going to have staff standing by to answer all your questions about these two specific roles, as well as Perk as a whole. You’ll be able to mix and mingle with people from the marketing teams, and employees from different departments. There will also be two break-out sessions at 6:15pm and 7:00pm, so you can get an inside look at what a day in the life of a Search/Digital Marketing Specialist is like. We’ll show you examples of what we do every day, and open the floor for questions. We’ll also have some fun skill-tests for those keeners who really want to show off (which we love!). We’ll thank you for coming out with delicious food and drinks. Plus, there will be awesome swag to bring home as well. It’s the perfect chance to see if one of these jobs is right for you.What We Look For In A Candidate
People on our campaign management teams are well-versed in Google AdWords, Google Analytics, Facebook advertising, and know what we mean when we talk about Yahoo! Gemini and Taboola. Some of them also have successful side-hustles, and experience building and maintaining personal blogs or websites that they monetize. They typically have backgrounds in marketing, business, or economics, but come from other disciplines as well. We welcome new grads—we’ll show you the ropes—as well as those who have been working in the field for a while. Bonus points to those who aren’t afraid of diving into data!Some More About Us
Perk is a digital media publishing company located in Waterloo. We own and operate advertising-supported editorial websites in various categories, and develop large, targeted audiences across a range of channels, and deliver relevant, authentic, engaging content created by experts in each space. Everyone at Perk works hard, and we like to recognize all the effort that goes into projects. Some of our perks (yeah, we went there) include catered lunches every Friday, unlimited vacation, fully stocked snack tables and drinks, a subsidized boot camp program, an annual personal spend account, and career development training. Yes—we’re telling the truth!Still Not Convinced? Check Out What Other Staff Members Have To Say!
As a CM at Perk we are data-driven with access to tons of data and tools to make informed decisions. Your performance is in your control with the endless potential available to succeed and grow here. I also love that the teams are diverse and supportive. Managers and peers are always willing to help or offer guidance if you need it. – Gwen, Performance Marketing SpecialistI love working at Perk because of the investment our company has made in capturing market data. We have a development team that dedicates time and resources to ensure Campaign Managers like myself have access to the data we need to be successful. I’m able run AB tests, experiment with new ideas, or implement different tools and receive feedback on the health of my campaigns. – Ronak, Digital Marketing SpecialistWheelScene Joined in the Fun at the 2018 Canadian International Auto Show
WheelScene was right in the middle of the action on Media Day at the 2018 Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS). With more than half of a million square feet of displays, exhibits and attractions, the Canadian International AutoShow is not only the largest auto expo in Canada, it is also an insight into the lifestyle, technology, and all things automotive for 2018 and beyond.
WheelScene was there with our lens caps off and shutter fingers itching to capture the exciting Canadian premiere of 41 trucks, cars, and concepts, including the Canadian debut of the world’s fastest production car, the Koenigsegg Agera RS. While the cars were the center of attention at the show, there were other displays worth mentioning too.
The beauty is, being an established company that has a history of producing fine automobiles, we’ve got the car part down pretty well.And you’re gonna see that with the next couple of years, our launch of our all electric platform. We are [going to] make an absolute assault on the electric car industry. We want to be world number one in the short future, and you can only do that by providing what people are looking for.You alluded to some of the success that Volkswagen has been having. One of the key focus areas for WheelScene.com has been reporting on compact utility vehicles or CUV’s and crossovers. I was wondering if you could speak a little bit to Volkswagen’s strategy or successes around, specifically, CUV’s and crossovers?Consumers have decided that they want to ride higher, and that means they want the seating position afforded in a sport utility, or a small pick-up, or large pick-up, whatever, and we have four-wheel drive / SUV strategy that we embarked on already two years ago. We made 4MOTION all-wheel drive, that’s our tag line for all-wheel drive system. We made that available in our Golf SportWagen. The Golf SportWagen, a lot of people look at as the anti-sport utility. It doesn’t ride that high, but It’s the original combination of sport and utility.We also made available, another trim line, which we call Alltrack. We raised the suspension, we put some cool fender flares on it, so it’s now that true crossover, where it’s half-way between a car and a sport utility. Boom!Take another step and two months later we introduce a brand new Tiguan. Completely new platform, completely new chasseing, and new powertrains all designed to make the car bigger. Looking forward, we’ve got a whole host of new sport utilities coming up. Not just in North America but also worldwide.We’re not gonna stop there. We’re gonna go and combine the best of both worlds. Within about three years time, we’re gonna have a fully electrified sport utility vehicle.There you have it! From global insights from one of the biggest automakers, to the rise of esports in the automotive industry, to a celebration of 50 years of the toys that started our car obsessions, Hot Wheels: CIAS had it all and more!
Darth Vader Car at 50 Years of Hot Wheels
Esports Raced into the Automotive Space
We watched 10 finalists compete against each other in Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox One for over $10,000 in cash and prizes. “Esports is one of the newest and fastest growing platforms that brands, sports franchises, and race organizers are using to engage young audiences,” said Jason Campbell, General Manager of the AutoShow. Using select BMW vehicles in a ‘King of the Track’ competition format, the quickest driver on each day of the AutoShow was invited back to the Grand Finale, which took place on Feb. 25, 2018. The winner of that event had the chance to compete against a professional driver in a double or nothing race-off. To say the automotive space continues to embrace esports for events, marketing, and fan engagement is an understatement. Esports and auto racing is already big, but it’s amazing to see how the rest of the industry adapts and supports competitive gaming for their brands. Expect to see esports playing a huge role in future auto shows around the world.Hot Wheels Celebrates 50 Years
Hot Wheels has been a huge hit with adults and kids alike, and the 50 Years of Hot Wheels display was a must-see attraction at CIAS 2018. The exhibit included a Hot Wheels super track, a huge Hot Wheels display of collector cars and six life-size Hot Wheels cars, including the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS and the Darth Vader car.Industry Insights from Volkswagen Canada
WheelScene spoke to many big names at CIAS, but one of the most insightful conversations was with Thomas Tetzlaff, Manager of Public Relations for Volkswagen Canada. Here are some of our key takeaways at what consumers can expect in the future:How does Volkswagen, a brand that has a long history of tradition but also a lot of excitement and attraction with younger consumers, evolve and continue being everything to both?We have to continue to modify, we have to continue to adapt to a change in marketplace. If you look on, at our product, every year we offer stuff that’s new, that’s what people are looking for, at least we hope, right? If they’re telling us that electric cars better be here sooner rather than later, well then we better invest in the electric car technology.Nissan Xmotion SUV Concept Interior – Featuring 7 Digital Touch Screens
Perk Gives Back to Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
Our Donation Drive is Collecting Items for Anselma House
As a tech company located in the heart of Kitchener-Waterloo, Perk.com Canada takes our relationship with our community seriously. After a successful fundraiser for StuffIn Stockings during the holiday season, we set our sights on our next community initiative. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer and supporter of #WomenInTech, so in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2018, we arranged a donation drive for the month of March to support Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and Anselma House.Supporting Women in Our Community
Lyndsay was the first employee to bring in donations!
What is Anselma House?
Anselma House is a 45 bed shelter that serves women and their children who are fleeing abusive homes throughout Waterloo Region. In addition to providing a safe haven for women and children up to the age of 18, Anselma House also helps equip women and children with the necessary skills and tools they need to start over. This support ranges from education about violence against women to advocacy programs that connect residents with legal support, housing, parenting guidance, and transitioning towards independence. After reviewing the Anselma House Wish List, it is apparent that basic necessities such as feminine hygiene products, shampoo, and diapers are in high demand. Other items on the Wish List include gift cards for grocery stores, restaurants, and Chapters, and movie passes for family outings.Statistics
In the 2016-2017 fiscal year, Anselma House served 169 women, 134 children, and received 2,467 crisis calls from families across Waterloo Region. To Lyndsay Woodward, Accounts Receivable Clerk at Perk, the women and children who stay at Anselma House are some of the strongest and most courageous people in our community. “They have had to endure so much, and they shouldn’t have to worry about the basic necessities in life. I hope that my small contribution simply makes a woman’s day a little easier as they start their new beginning.” We feel fortunate to be able to support such a worthy organization in our community, and look forward to delivering our donations to Anselma House at the end of the month. For more information on Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, and how you can get involved, visit their website.Creating Content for Travel-Wise
Content Creation is an Integral Part of Our Daily Work
Managing the content for a travel website can be a lot of fun. What could be better than reading about exotic places and looking at images of stunning locales? Well, probably traveling to those places, but this is a close second. With a whole world out there and an endless number of things that could go wrong on vacation, you might think it would be easy to generate content for a travel website. However, creating content for Travel-Wise.com isn’t as simple as picking an interesting topic and assigning it to a writer. We have a specific audience that we cater to, and the content we publish needs to reflect their interests. As such, all the decisions I make regarding content are based on one question: does this serve our audience? That question functions as a starting point when I’m brainstorming topics, and acts as a filter when someone proposes a topic to me. So, when I sit down each month to plan our content calendar for the month ahead, how do I find topics? I’m glad you asked!Keyword Research
Keyword research is the method I most often use when generating topic ideas. It’s a way of asking our audience “what kind of content do you want,” and getting a response that’s rooted in hard data. I type a topic into SEMrush.com and it tells me what related searches people have been performing, at what volume, and with what competition.
Audience surveys let us know what our readers want to see.
Industry Trends
Being aware of trends in the travel industry, especially for specific years and demographics, is another way of generating content ideas, or at least narrowing down your search when doing keyword research. At the end of 2017, for example, the Travel-Wise product manager researched travel trends for the upcoming year. We learned that culinary tours were going to be a big trend in the industry overall, so we noted it as a potential topic. We also learned that generation X — our audience demographic — is more likely to prioritize outdoor activities while on vacation, so I planned to do keyword research with this in mind.Balancing Business Objectives
While we create content with our audience explicitly in mind, we also need to ensure this content monetizes. This involves working with our team of travel campaign managers to generate topics they can successfully market. Sometimes it’s as simple as a campaign manager telling me what topic they’d like to see on the website, while other times it requires a conversation about how I can accommodate their request.Organic Suggestions
Often the best topics stem from personal experiences. We employ a range of well-traveled writers who have been to a variety of destinations, and, as a result, have experienced their fair share of obstacles. Having them write about a destination they’ve just visited makes for valuable content because they are able to provide a fresh perspective on a place that’s undoubtedly been written about before. Contrastingly, because they are so well-traveled, the only travel issues they tend to experience are less common. This allows our content to diverge from the run-of-the-mill travel tips that are present across all travel resource websites. Likewise, content ideas often emerge from conversations with coworkers, family, and friends about trips they took. Rather than scouring the web for topic ideas, sometimes it’s best to just listen and let the ideas come to you.My PSA Pays for What?! – Beekeeping
While the Perk.com Canada blog is usually used to showcase our marketing, publishing, and technical expertise, we decided to switch things up a bit to showcase why employees like myself love working at Perk so much.
Many companies offer comprehensive benefits plans that cover things like prescriptions, glasses, and dental care. Perk, however, goes even further, and offers employees a Personal Spending Account (PSA) that can be used for pretty much anything that improves the wellbeing of an employee, or an employee’s family member.
Some PSA expenditures are pretty normal – gym memberships and workout equipment, health supplements, estate planning, and child or elder care – but others are a bit more, well, out there. My request was, according to Chris Nelson, Perk.com Canada’s Chief Operating Officer, definitely out there.
Employee “Perks”
Sarah proudly showing off her beehive!