Work Life Balance
We are evolving and refreshing our weekly company call...
Back in 2023, we shared a blog about the origins of our Weekly Company Call. What started as a remote-working anchor during the pandemic had become an essential 30-minute ritual, a place for transparency, knowledge sharing, and staying connected in a hybrid world.
Since that blog post, we have held dozens more sessions, and our recent company survey confirmed just how much this tradition means to the team. We were thrilled to see that everyone in the company found the calls valuable, with many describing it as a "weekly highlight" and a vital way to "see each other's faces" in our hybrid setup.
The feedback highlighted that the call serves a much deeper purpose than just a status update. For many, it’s a way to break out of "compartmentalised" working, giving visibility into what colleagues are achieving across the studio. From the "latest news and bants" to the transparency of our company goals, the call remains a brilliant way to maintain our culture. One team member perfectly captured the sentiment, noting that it provides the context and "watercooler moments" that were once only found by bumping into someone grabbing a coffee.
But as ZeroLight grows, even our best traditions need to evolve. To keep the energy high and the content fresh, we are entering the next phase of the weekly call.
After six years of incredible consistency, our CEO, Darren, who has hosted nearly every call since the beginning, is passing the baton to the wider leadership team for our news segments, while continuing to champion and host our team presenters. We are moving to an alternating schedule designed to give every session a clear, impactful focus:
The News Update: Every other week, someone from our leadership team will be taking over hosting duties. By taking the lead in rotation, they will provide a dedicated space for "big picture" news, sharing project wins, commercial milestones, and strategic updates to keep us all aligned on our 12-month plan.
The Guest Feature: The following week, we hand the floor over to our teams, with Darren back on hosting duties. These sessions will be a platform for guest presenters to share their work, celebrate successes, and give us an insight "under the hood" of different departments.
Supporting Our Presenters
One of the most heartening pieces of feedback from the survey was the genuine appreciation the team has for those who step up to present. We know that sharing your work with the entire company is a big deal, and it can definitely be nerve-wracking!
As part of the survey, we asked everyone how they felt about taking the mic. We were incredibly impressed to find that 76% of our team are either fully comfortable presenting or are willing to do it to build their confidence, despite the nerves. This is a huge testament to the supportive culture we have here at ZeroLight.
While we always love to see people step outside their comfort zones, we also believe the best presentations come from a place of passion, not pressure. We would never force anyone into the spotlight if they weren't ready. Instead, we are keeping the floor open to those who are willing to share their stories, and we’re here to provide all the inspiration and support needed to help you feel prepared.
Looking Ahead
The world has changed since we started these calls in 2020, but the core mission remains: Connection. Whether we are discussing the life of a project, celebrating a new contract, or just enjoying the mid-week catch-up, these calls ensure that no matter where we are working from, we are moving forward together.
We’re excited to kick off this new format and see our teams take centre stage. Here’s to the next chapter of the ZeroLight weekly call!
