June 19, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by MarketBeat.

In the post-pandemic world, hybrid work environments have been a key discussion at companies all across America, but remote work has been a core value at MarketBeat since the company’s start in 2008.

Greenspace in MarketBeat’s downtown office

Embracing flexibility is a critical component of the financial media company that believes in trusting employees to get the job done whenever and wherever they want.

MarketBeat has never been fully in the office because founder and CEO Matt Paulson wanted to create an environment that allows employees to manage their family responsibilities and pursue personal passions, so they can thrive both professionally and personally.

Employee desk showcasing family photos in the MarketBeat office

While remote work has always been an option, Paulson also saw the benefit of incorporating a hybrid work environment early on.

“By balancing remote work with in-person interactions, MarketBeat ensures effective communication, collaboration and productivity among our team members,” he said.

Matt Paulson and Bekah Van Maanen have a conversation in the MarketBeat office.

The company’s current hybrid system is designed to work well for its team of 18 employees, who are all able to adjust their schedules as needed each week. MarketBeat’s flexible work policy asks employees to spend four hours in the office three days a week, combining the productivity benefits of remote work with the collaboration benefits of meeting in person.

MarketBeat’s principal engineer, Ryan Quam, appreciates the flexibility of choosing when and where to complete his work.

“MarketBeat’s flexible work environment is great for our family,” Quam said. “Our two busy teenagers keep our schedule hectic. Just recently, for example, my daughter was in a tennis tournament, but the schedule changed due to rain, shifting the time up and to a different location. I was able to start my day early at home, go to the tournament, get some hours in between matches and make up my missed time that evening.”

Ryan Quam’s “office” setup during his daughter’s tennis tournament

MarketBeat recently was ranked among the best workplaces in the country in 2024, largely thanks to employees’ satisfaction with the hybrid policy that also allows them to compress their workweek or shift their daily operating hours.

Employees say coming to the office is not only an opportunity to connect with their co-workers but also a chance to enjoy an environment that is even better than home.

MarketBeat employees enjoy Scooter’s Coffee in the office.

While the option to work from home is available, the downtown office usually is full of employees eager to enjoy the amenities offered.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to work from home or other locations as needed, but I often find myself at the office because it’s such a great environment,” said Laycee Kluin, digital marketing strategist. “There’s always something fun happening, so the days I’m not in the office, it feels like I’m missing out.”

Being a fun workplace is a core value at MarketBeat, where the goal is to create an environment where employees enjoy going to work every morning. From catering lunches, providing everyone’s favorite snacks and drinks, offering unique company activities, bringing pets to work and offering a wellness-minded office space, MarketBeat provides an array of options for employees to feel at home in the office.

A MarketBeat employee’s dog “plays” chess in the office.

The encouraging, team-building environment also is present when employees work from home. Slack communication channels include real-time work discussions and water-cooler talk, so employees can maintain relationships wherever they are that day.

Another of the company’s core values, Dependability Matters, also holds up the entire hybrid work system. MarketBeat believes in following through on commitments and getting work done. The company’s organized Slack channel also includes task communication that helps the entire team move forward in one direction.

Members of MarketBeat’s content team gather to discuss current projects.

A biweekly staff meeting with all employees, both remote and in person, helps the team not only stay on top of tasks and work toward performance goals but also helps the team stay connected.

Staying connected also means celebrating each other as individuals not just co-workers. MarketBeat takes the time to get to know each employee’s unique talents, interests and aspirations, ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported.

“We want the workplace to be a place that people enjoy coming to, and we try to make work fun and fulfilling for everyone at our company,” Paulson said.