Will Work For Love: Chantale Goncalves, Zoom Media, Montreal
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
As Communications & Marketing Manager, I coordinate all communications plans and press 
releases, as well as, create sales documents to answer our clients’ needs. This photo shows my work station and how I am teaching the future generation of Marketers – demonstrating the balance I achieve between my role as a Marketing & Communications Manager and as a Mom.
- Describe your personal work space.
- How do you get to work?
- What is an average day like?
- What is essential for you being able to work happily?
- How flexible are your working conditions?
- What do you think your employer looks for in its staff?
- What suggestions do you have for your company?
- Do you have any frustrations you would like to share with us?
- What do you like best about your job?
- How open is your company to new ideas and suggestions
- How much responsibility have you been given?
- How green are you and your company?
Ah, my work space…let me begin by setting the stage. Zoom Media’s head office is located on boulevard St-Laurent, ‘aka The MAIN’ – a reflection of the multicultural character of Montreal with its creativity, fine restaurants, unique boutiques, shows ands festivals. Zoom’s locale consists of closed offices with very large windows (a sought-after commodity during our long winters) and an open concept area where you get to see (and hear!) everyone working near, and passing by, you. This is where you’ll find me. My workstation consists of a large working table, but being that I am only 5’3” I use the table extension as my desk…fewer back pains this way!
I live in the suburbs and drive to work everyday. It takes me about an hour to commute…when there is no rain, snow, construction, accidents or traffic! I know this is not the ‘greenest’ option but it is the most time-efficient. And to be honest, after taking the subway and bus for many years and being stuck in transit with ‘interesting and unique’ strangers, I prefer the comfort of my car. Keeps me zen.
An average day consists of… a 5-5:30 a.m. wake-up call from my 2 year old… getting to work for about 8:30-9 a.m.… greeting my colleagues… checking my emails… and starting my work day. From then on, it is all quite unpredictable. I can go into the office one morning planning to work on a new sales tool, but be informed of a new acquisition for which I need to coordinate a communication plan. There are no two days alike. Definitely what one can expect working in such a fast-paced industry.
Respect and trust. I need to feel respected as a person and as an employee, and I need to have my employer’s trust in my ability to accomplish my tasks.
I have to say quite flexible. I have had to miss work more often than usual recently due to my kid catching every possible virus at daycare and have never had to justify it. As long as I make up for it in one way or another and respect project deadlines, it does not cause an issue.
Zoom Media looks for talented people who identify with values such as client focus, results orientation and accountability, leadership and innovation, integrity, teamwork, creativity, respect and passion.
I have a few, but I will share them with the Zoom team only. Don’t want to give out my ideas to our competitors.
I’m working for a company that, despite the challenging economic situation, is in expansion mode…nothing to be frustrated about!
Definitely the people I work with and the teamwork involved in all the projects I work on. It allows for a better work environment and better results.
Zoom Media’s success and leadership is a result of our openness to new ideas and new opportunities for growth. The recent acquisitions of ClubCom, SmartOne Media and Wellness Health Education Network (WHEN), and the US$30 million investment from ABS Capital to further expand Zoom Media’s digital offerings and make other acquisitions, clearly prove this.
In terms of responsibility, I get to manage projects and coordinate news releases, but my employer always gets the final say.
I am no tree-hugger, but I do care a great deal for our environment and feel everyone, including corporations, should do more to save our planet. On a personal level, I accomplish small things that I feel make a difference. I recycle, do not litter, no longer buy water bottles, use plastic containers for lunches, avoid printing e-mails as much as possible, use reusable bags when shopping.
As for Zoom Media’s green initiatives, they include a fleet of hybrid cars, printing ads on partially recycled or recyclable paper, refurbishing damaged frames to avoid throwing them out, providing every employee with a recycling bin, providing mugs for coffee rather than paper cups. Small or big, every action counts!
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